Roller coasters parked. Beaches empty. Scoreboards blank. A skyline disappeared. As the eerie haze settled in over the city, summer quieted to a standstill.

Local air quality hit hazardous levels Thursday in Chicago and various suburbs, prompting beach and pool closures as day camps and other summer activities moved indoors. Some organizers canceled events altogether.

Amid the haze — brought on by wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota — the Chicago Park District closed all beaches for the day alongside all outdoor pools, officials announced in a news release. Park District programming also moved inside. Events and sports leagues that cannot move indoors were canceled. That included all Night Out in the Parks events and Movies in the Parks scheduled for Thursday, officials said.

The Osaka Garden, Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory also closed, as well as the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

Along the lakefront, between the smoky air and muggy weather, only a handful of runners and bikers chose to brave the outdoors.

Out at Hyde Park’s Promontory Point, Josie Maier, Hunter Collins and Vince Ombao prepared for a day at the beach, despite the weather warnings. With smoke setting in like a thick fog, the friends carried sunscreen, floaties and face masks.

“It smells like a giant campfire,” said Collins, 24. “The visibility is terrible.”

By midafternoon Thursday, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee had closed for the day. The Chicago Fire rescheduled its match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Soldier Field.

Organizers of Highland Park’s popular Ravinia music festival canceled a performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra scheduled for Thursday night. Organizers said they were also monitoring weather conditions going into the weekend, with renowned musician Paul Simon set to headline Friday and Saturday.

Millennium Park remained open Thursday during its regular hours, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., according to a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. But the Millennium Park Summer Music Series, a free outdoor concert series held on select days throughout the summer, was called off.

Performances from Brazilian singer-songwriter Marcos Valle, Panamanian drummer Daniel Villarreal and DJ Clark Quente were canceled “due to the current extreme air quality conditions and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of attendees, artists, staff, and crew,” the spokesperson said. The series is expected to resume Monday.

The Argyle Night Market, a free weekly summer street event in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, was canceled Thursday after organizers “(monitored) the air quality situation and updated forecasts,” the Uptown Chamber of Commerce said in a social media post.

The event, which features food from local restaurants and cultural performances, was called off around 11:30 a.m., according to the post. Several commenters praised the chamber for prioritizing public safety, and organizers said they plan to resume the market next week.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the corridor then,” the chamber said.

Over a mile south in Wrigleyville, the free weekly night market inside the Gallagher Way entertainment plaza was also canceled, organizers said. The event, hosted in partnership with Common Goods Market, is expected to return next Thursday with vintage clothing vendors, local artisans and live music.

The Rooftop Cinema Club, an open-air movie theater on the terrace of The Emily Hotel in Fulton Market, canceled its Thursday night screening of “Memento.” A spokesperson said staff will continue monitoring air quality before deciding whether to proceed with Friday’s lineup of “10 Things I Hate About You,” “La La Land” and “House Party.”

Across town, the South Shore Social Beach Club announced it would close its beachfront restaurant and bar for the rest of the day. The closure also forced the cancellation of Thursday evening’s Live at the Lakefront concert with local performer Simbryt Live, which organizers said will be rescheduled.

“The health and well-being of our guests, team members, and community are our top priority,” the beach club said in a social media post. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as conditions improve.”

Around the suburbs, closures likewise multiplied as the poor air quality persisted. Swimming areas and beaches closed from Evanston and Winnetka in the North Shore to Naperville.

In northwest Indiana, several spots were closed Thursday because of air quality, including the Hobart Pool, according to a city announcement. The city also canceled the Summer Market on the Lake. In Hammond, Farmed and Forged Market was canceled, and the city’s Kids Day Special Market was rescheduled for July 30.

Along Lake Michigan back at Promontory, Chester Szmurlo, 68, stopped for water midway through a bike ride up to Montrose Beach. He said he saw the air quality warnings but decided to go out anyway.

“I thought I’ll cut it short if I feel it affecting me,” he said, “but so far I’m holding on.”

Down at the water, Paul Morsbach, 45, watched his family swim off the limestone steps. He had taken the day off work to spend time with relatives visiting from Australia and a trip to the lake was a nonnegotiable.

“I was coming no matter what,” he said.

A short walk south, 57th Street Beach was largely empty, except for a few scattered dog walkers.

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(The Post Tribune’s Maya Wilkins and the Daily Herald’s Jake Griffin contributed.)

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