PRIVATE CLUBS MAGAZINE – SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

BY CLAIRE JURKIEWICZ | PHOTO BY AP PHOTO/WADE PAYNE, FILE

June 27

Bust a move at Milwaukee’s Summerfest (June 27-July 1 and July 3-8), a colossal summer concert at the newly renovated 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park. Across 11 stages, including a new 10,000-seat covered arena on the waterfront, about 1 million fans turn out every year to hear more than 700 performances by up-and-coming acts and national favorites, this year including Aerosmith, Neil Diamond, and Lady Antebellum. summerfest.com

July 7

Bump, set, spike! Make your mark at Volleywood Beach Bash, the Midwest’s largest sand volleyball tournament, on Chicago’s North Avenue Beach off Lake Shore Drive. In teams of two, four, or six, thousands of amateurs (and the occasional pro) partake in this one-day event. Off-court, sample local cuisine, listen to live music, and continue friendly rivalries during other beach games. 312-850-8196; chicagosocial.com/leagues/volleywood

August 3

Searching for the perfect summer brewski? Try 2,000 varieties from more than 85 countries at the International Berlin Beer Festival (Aug. 3-5), a three-day toast to sensational suds. Discover which stein suits your fancy as famed Karl-Marx-Allee transforms into a beer garden stretching more than a mile. 011-49-30-6576-3560; bierfestival-berlin.de

August 9

Break away from Olympics-mania to watch more than 100 hot-air balloons ascend at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (Aug. 9-12), about 120 miles outside London on the 850-acre Ashton Court Estate. Seven takeoffs span four days. Don’t miss the two “night glows,” when balloons light up to the beat of music. bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

August 16

At a winery surrounded by apple orchards 60 miles northeast of San Diego, join astronomy enthusiasts for Julian StarFest (Aug. 16-19), a four-day, three-night ode to celestial wonders. Shop or trade wares, listen to experts, and view the sun’s surface with special equipment by day; pitch a tent and camp on-site by night. 619-890-5267; julianstarfest.com