Free Sundays on State

When: Every Sunday, July 11-September 26, 2021. (No events Aug 1 and 15). Events from 11am-8pm; street closed 7am-11pm

Where: State Street from Lake Street (300N) to Madison Street (0N)

In order to increase foot traffic and to generate some revenue for businesses in the Loop, State Street will be closed to traffic for twelve Sunday’s this summer. This will be a weekly summer street festival that the sponsor, the Chicago Loop Alliance, is calling an interactive block party. This will include art, entertainment, exercise classes, retail and restaurants and bars.

July 11 was a bit of a rain out. On the plus side I scored a free $5 gift card from Primark and a free yoga tank with a $50 price tag on it. There were also free CBD gummies.

Free Sundays on State – July 25

This is looking like a another blow out list of events. It looks like there will be something for everyone to do. More info.

Performance Schedule – Lake to Randolph

11 a.m.-8 p.m. The Freakeasy

Performance Schedule – Randolph to Washington

11 a.m.-2 p.m. DJ Seasonal Frequency
2-4 p.m. Macy’s fashion show in the store’s iconic State Street windows

Performance Schedule – Washington to Madison (on stage)

11 a.m.-noon The Bar Method Gold Coast (bring your own mat or towel)
12:30-1:30 p.m. John Primer & Steve Bell
1:30-2:30 p.m. Lil Ed and Mike Scharf
3-4 p.m. Mr. Pope
5-6 p.m. Kyle Paul
6-7 p.m. Anne & Mark Burnell
7-8 p.m. The Handcuffs

Free Sundays on State – Arts and culture

American Writers Museum – typewriters to use, their My America: Immigrant and Refugee Writers Today exhibit with luggage tags for attendees to write their family’s immigration story, and special guest Nestor Gomez from noon to 1 p.m., new book Your Driver Has Arrived.
Anne & Mark Burnell – vocal harmonies, piano, jazz, blues, American songbook and a cappella
Be The Match – a bone marrow drive
Brazilian Cultural Center of Chicago – Brazilian games, dance demonstrations and interactive board games, experiential learning station
Cabinet of Curiosity – music, bubbles and spectacle

Caricatures by Mary Ellen – live caricature artist
Center for Decision Research, University of Chicago Booth School of Business – a pop-up behavioral science discovery center
Chicago Cabaret Professionals –the art of Cabaret, featuring the Great American Songbook, parodies, Broadway, pop, jazz and blues sets
Chicago Doctor Who Meetup –a Cosplay Congregation in which Doctor Who fans can socialize, interact, shop
Chicago Film Society – projecting movies on the side of the Gene Siskel Film Center
Chicago Highend – authentic Arabian incense and accessories

Chicago Public Library – interactive showcases of projects created in YOUmedia (teen space) and Maker Lab (adult space),
Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation –a kid-friendly space with summer science projects for all-ages
The Climate Reality Project – raising support and awareness
CIRCLE Foundation/Innovations High School – gaming station with swag giveaways
DJ Seasonal Frequency – electronic music
eATLAS – free self-guided tours and treasure hunts in the Loop

Family-ism Face Paint Factory – professional face painting and a photo backdrop for selfies
The Freakeasy – an art collective
Freelife Records / A Logic Electric – State Street Collective Cyphers podcast
Gene Siskel Film Center – selling popcorn
The Handcuffs – bold, sexy rock and roll songs with memorable melodies and unexpected twists
Illinois Science Council – Examine real brains from different animals up close, Insect “petting zoo,” look through telescope chat with scientists

Jimmy Williams Gallery & Studio – pop-up abstract art gallery
John Primer & Steve Bell – blues
K Elizabeth Décor – use repurposed and/or recycled items
Kyle Paul –live music traditions of Chicago music
Lil Ed and Mike Scharf – Chicago blues musicians
LeonMechelle Artist Studios – 3D interactive artwork

Metrix, Chicago’s New Hero – book promotion
Mr. Pope – inspirational rap music about self-love and self-care
The Original Sixty Fourth Street Beach Drummers – four conga drummers will teach the art of hand drumming. drum circles with dancing
Poems While You Wait – a collective of poets and their vintage typewriters
Pop Up Karaoke
Pritzker Military Museum and Library –family-friendly interactive activities

Sarah J Wilson art – pop-up art show
THUG Hippie – a gently guided drum and dance circle
Tour Through A Lens – 60-minute street and urban photography tours
Tours with Mike – free, 20-minute architecture and history tours of State Street from Lake to Madison, from 2-5 p.m.
Turning the Page – an education non-profit that works with North Lawndale elementary schools
Water Tower Guy Studios – live mural painting of the character “Water Tower Guy”

Active recreation

The Bar Method Gold Coast – a barre workout with elements of Pilates, yoga and other strength training workouts (bring your own mat or towel)
Dzika Fitness – trademarked training program
Mathew Churney – playing and teaching hacky sack
Playbound – kids’ activities like tag, chalk, music, and dancing, all led by counselors
Reign Body Fuel –fun photo opportunities and complimentary samples of Reign Body Fuel,
YogaSix – yoga classes for every body

Food and drink

Adams Street Brewery – beer and root beer sales from the Berghoff’s sister brewery
El Ranchito Tacos – Mexican taco truck
The Fat Shallot – classic sandwiches food truck
Happy Lobster – lobster rolls food truck
Harold’s Chicken – food truck
Ms. Tittle’s Cupcakes – dessert food truck, serving your “Favorite Cake in a Cupcake”
Sundays on State beer tent – Goose Island beer and seltzer favorites
thrd.coffee company, LLC – mobile coffee bar
The Walnut Room – alcoholic beverages and customer favorites, like Mrs. Hering’s chicken pot pie available as a walking pot pie

Retail

AT&T – pop-up shop
The Body Shop – sidewalk shop and kids coloring activities
BWYB Life – a new apparel brand designed to bridge racial divides
Chanellie –a self-care DIY day
Chicago Cannabis Company – cannabis education and demonstration
Chicago Culture Gear – a pop-up shop

Chitiva by Prescribd – CBD product demonstrations
Divinity Seven Apparel – pop-up boutique
Giveashirt – hand screened designs by local artists and musicians
Half Day CBD – educational and one-on-one consultations hemp-based CBD products
Helen Helene – summer transitional wear for women
Indelible Bliss Candle and Soap Co. – candles and other products for sale

Insurance Navy – giveaways and representatives to answer insurance questions
It’s Oksana – a pop-up store based in linen fabrics
Macy’s – pop-up sidewalk shop, and from 2-4 p.m. the iconic windows will come to life with an interactive experience as models highlight looks found exclusively at Macy’s
M.A.D. Scrubs LLC – fashionable, comfortable uniform scrubs line created by a registered nurse
Nordstrom Rack – a sidewalk sale

Nubastyle – apparel and accessories representing inner peace and outer love
The Ocean Bay Cosmetics – aquatic-themed lash line
OutCold for Primark – vintage 1963 Metro Mite vehicle for photo ops, cornhole games, fashionable mannequins and product giveaways
PRIMERICA – a financial services company for families
Send Some Chicago – customize a 5, 7 or 10 item Chicago-themed gift box with local/iconic Chicago products
Staypineapple, an Iconic Hotel – free photo booth

Sw1’s Exotic Reflections – handcrafted jewelry, healing products , silver, handcrafted artifacts, and more
Sylvia’s BackRoom – a collaboration of vintage sellers all in one place
Walgreens – offering walk-up COVID-19 vaccinations in front of their State and Madison location

Retail

AT&T – pop-up shop
The Body Shop – sidewalk shop with new beauty product releases and demonstrations and kids coloring activities
BWYB Life – a new apparel brand (“Black-White-Yellow-Brown”) designed to bridge racial divides, stop racial hate and bring good people together
Chanellie –a self-care DIY day make your own coffee clay masks, use their paint and sip kit, write on their Tanuki writing kits
Chicago Cannabis Company – cannabis education and DIY infusion demonstration
Chicago Culture Gear – brand that celebrates the city allegiance, neighborhood pride and unique style inherent to being a Chicagoan

Divinity Seven Apparel – pop-up boutique with hanging apparel racks, mannequins and tables displaying apparel
Giveashirt – hand screened designs by local artists and musicians, with 100 percent of profits donated to Streetwise
Half Day CBD – educational sessions and one-on-one consultations around hemp-based CBD products COTC note: Free samples!
Indelible Bliss Candle and Soap Co. – candles and other products for sale
Insurance Navy – free giveaways and representatives to answer insurance questions
It’s Oksana – a pop-up store based in linen fabrics, featuring Ukrainian-based products

Lolita’s Bodega – BIPOC small business pop-up featuring 5-10 small businesses and artisans
Macy’s – pop-up sidewalk shop
Nordstrom Rack – a sidewalk sale their best grab-and-go, festival-ready items
OutCold for Primark – vintage 1963 Metro Mite vehicle for photo ops, cornhole games, mannequins and product giveaways
Send Some Chicago – customize a 5, 7 or 10 item Chicago-themed gift box
Sylvia’s BackRoom – a collaboration of vintage sellers