1. Lincoln Park Zoo's Auxiliary Board will host the seventh annual Zoo-ologie: A Midsummer Night's Roar. Over 1,000 guests are set to gather at this fundraiser, celebrating and raising money for the zoo's Pride of Chicago campaign. The night will feature tunes from DJ Rock City and cuisine from more than 20 classic Chicago restaurants. Be sure to sample DryHop Brewers’s fourth annual Zoo collaboration beer, named Ursus Mapletimus (a play on the latin name for the polar bear, “ursus maritimus”). May 20, tickets from $110, Lincoln Park Zoo
2. Kick off June with some compassion at the KID Best Friend Award Night. Each year, the Kids in Danger organization gets together to commemorate its progress and to raise money for its product safety initiatives. The 2017 event honors four university programs that have assisted with KID's mission to keep kids safe. Attendees can enter a raffle and get a chance to win anything from gift cards to Blackhawks tickets. June 1, tickets from $125, Galleria Marchetti
3. Spend an unforgettable night at the Digestive Health Foundation's 2017 ‘Within Reach’ Envision Gala. Hosted at the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel, the night's proceeds will go toward funding research projects and education at the Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center. Enjoy a live auction, tasty cocktails and entertainment by Chicago Catz, all while supporting a good cause. June 3, tickets $600
4. For over two decades, the Chicago Bears have supported the fight against cancer in the name of former player Brian Piccolo. Join them at Soldier Field for the 22nd annual Bears Care Gala and contribute to the over $13 million already raised for critical treatment and research programs. Throughout the night, enjoy the music of The David Young Band while sipping on cocktails, mingling with Bears players and bidding on exclusive NFL items in a live auction. May 20, tickets from $500
5. Get a chance to explore the world's oceans at the Shedd Aquarium Gala: Voyages. Start the night off in the Kovler Family Hall alongside octopi and Japanese spider crabs. After an indulgent dinner, boogie the night away to live music, try your luck at casino tables or soak in the atmosphere of the North Terrace Jazz Lounge—all while supporting ocean conservation efforts. June 17, tickets $1,000
Photography by: