A partial list of outdoor events in Chicago area canceled due to poor air quality
<p><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026/07/16/wildfire-smoke-prompts-air-quality-alert-for-most-of-chicago-area-to" >Dangerous air pollution</a> caused by hundreds of raging wildfires in Canada shut down outdoor activities across Chicago Thursday.</p><p>Concerts, movies in the parks, sporting events and other activities were canceled due to the hazardous air that threatened public health.</p><p>The city’s beaches and all 50 outdoor pools were closed for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many suburban beaches also were shut down.</p><p>Chicago Park District day camps were moved indoors.
Reported by 1 outlet — Chicago Sun-Times. See all sources ↓
<p><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026/07/16/wildfire-smoke-prompts-air-quality-alert-for-most-of-chicago-area-to" >Dangerous air pollution</a> caused by hundreds of raging wildfires in Canada shut down outdoor activities across Chicago Thursday.</p><p>Concerts, movies in the parks, sporting events and other activities were canceled due to the hazardous air that threatened public health.</p><p>The city’s beaches and all 50 outdoor pools were closed for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many suburban beaches also were shut down.</p><p>Chicago Park District day camps were moved indoors. Chicago Public Schools also moved all programming indoors.</p><p>Sporting events, including the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/fire/2026/07/16/fire-robert-lewandowski-mls-debut-delayed-canadian-wildfires-postpones-match-vs-vancouver-whitecaps" target="_blank" >Chicago Fire match</a> with the Vancouver Whitecaps at Soldier Field, were postponed.</p><p>Six Flags Great America closed early due to the poor air quality, which can be a serious health threat to everyone and particularly for those with respiratory conditions.</p><p>The following list is for Thursday only; if you're headed somewhere on Friday, make sure to call ahead to check with the venue or event promoter to make sure it's still happening. </p><p>Here’s a partial list of other venues, events and other activities shut down Thursday due to the pollution:</p><p>Millennium Park Summer Music Series.</p><p>At least three Chicago Movies in the Parks events.</p><p>Six Flags Great America closed early on Thursday.</p><p>Lincoln Square farmers market.</p><p>Chicago Botanic Garden.</p><p>Suburban events, including Food Truck Thursdays in Highland Park and Thursday Night Out in Oak Park.</p><p>Chicago Architecture Center outdoor walking tours were canceled, though the Chicago River tours were still going late Thursday afternoon.
Read the full report at Chicago Sun-Times ↗
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- <p><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026/07/16/wildfire-smoke-prompts-air-quality-alert-for-most-of-chicago-area-to" >Dangerous air pollution</a> caused by hundreds of raging wildfires in Canada shut down outdoor activities across Chicago Thursday.</p><p>Concerts, movies in the parks, sporting events and other activities were canceled due to the hazardous air that threatened public health.</p><p>The city’s beaches and all 50 outdoor pools were closed for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many suburban beaches also were shut down.</p><p>Chicago Park District day camps were moved indoors.
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A partial list of outdoor events in Chicago area canceled due to poor air quality
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times