Severe thunderstorm warnings popped off in the greater Chicago area through the evening Thursday, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from the Windy City Smokeout.

Chicago's Windy City Smokeout will kick off Thursday as fans gather for a weekend of country music and barbecue.

Around the area in the next few days, Chicago Gospel Music Festival is in Millennium Park, Chance the Rapper hosts Chicago Got Sole, G-Fest descends on Rosemont and Alabama Shakes comes to Salt