Our Favorite Summer Festivals

Chicago Gospel Music Festival | June 1-2 | Chicago Cultural Center & Millennium Park
With Chicago’s deep gospel roots, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival brings locals and national artists back to the city where the genre was born.

Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale | June 1-3 | West Town 
Nestled in between West Town, Wicker Park, and Ukrainian Village, Division street turns into the best of all three neighborhoods for the weekend, featuring two live music stages, a dedicated Family Fun Fest area, and all the best local food and brews you can get your hands on.

Lincoln Park Greek Fest | June 1-3 | St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Bringing the sounds and tastes from Greece to all of Chicago, the Lincoln Park Greek Fest blends tradition and fun for all cultures.

Hyde Park Brew Fest | June 2-3 | 53^rd & Harper
With over 50 different ciders and beer, the Hyde Park Brew Fest showcases some of the best hip hop and house music DJs in the country.

Ribfest Chicago | June 8-10 | Lincoln/Damen/Irving Park Intersection

Voted Chicago’s Best Food Fest, Ribfest Chicago is celebrating it’s 20^th anniversary of ribs and Rock & Roll.

Chicago Blues Festival | June 8-10 | Millennium Park

As the largest Blues festival in the world, the Chicago Blues Festival spans three days and four stages in the city that started it all.
 

44^th Annual Wells Street Art Festival | June 9-10 | Old Town

Over 225 artists from across America come to the Wells Street Art Festival, bringing with them everything from sculpture to painting to jewelry.

Grant Park Music Festival | June 13 – August 18 | Grant Park

With performances of Mozart, Brahms, and Haydn, this year’s Grant Park Music Festival is a must listen for anyone with interest in classical music.

Chicago Pride Fest & Parade| June 16-17, June 24 | Boystown

The month of June is LGBTQ Pride Month! A two-day street festival is held the weekend before the parade, both of which celebrate LGBTQ life, culture, and community.
 

Randolph Street Market Festival | June 23-24 | West Loop

For the best vintage vibes and antique furniture, the Randolph Street Market Festival is full of all things for your home, plus some extra good food for your stomach.

Ravenswood On Tap | June 23-24 | Ravenswood & Berteau

Home to Malt Row, Ravenswood has one of the best craft brewing communities in the country, and they celebrate each summer with Ravenswood on Tap.

Fourth of July Fireworks at Navy Pier | July 4 | Navy Pier

What better way to celebrate the America’s founding than by standing on Navy Pier, watching the skyline and the fireworks?

 

Millennium Art Festival | July 6-8 | Millennium Park

Bringing the “art of happiness to the heart of downtown Chicago”, Millennium Art Festival brings over 100 artists to the park, alongside food and live performance for the ultimate art filled experience.

 

Irish American Heritage Festival | July 6-8 | Irish American Heritage Center

Feeling the luck of the Irish? The Irish American Heritage Festival brings local and international Irish culture, food, and fun to Chicago.

 

Taste of Chicago | July 11-15 | Grant Park

Always wanted to try a little bit of all the food Chicago has to offer? Taste of Chicago’s outdoor food festival will leave you licking your fingers and wanting to go back for more.

 

Windy City Smokeout | July 13-15 | River West

Bringing some of the best pitmasters to the city of Chicago, Windy City Smokeout highlights all things good about barbecue: the food, the drinks, the music.

 

Southport Art & Music Fest | July 14-15 | Wrigleyville

Southport Art & Music Fest highlights artwork of all mediums, with over 100 of the city’s most diverse artists making appearances during this two-day festival.

 

Roscoe Village Burger Fest | July 14-15 | Roscoe Village

Whether you like them thick and juicy, or think and crispy, Roscoe Village’s Burger fest is perfect for those wanting to taste some of the best burgers in all of Chicago.

 

Pitchfork Music Festival | July 20-22 | Union Park

With big names like Tame Impala, Earl Sweatshirt, The War on Drugs, and even Chaka Khan making an appearance, Union Park’s 3 day music fest isn’t one you’ll want to miss.

 

Taste of River North | July 20-22 | Ward Park

All things River North come together for this three-day festival, including fun, food, and music for all ages.

 

Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac | July 21 | Navy Pier, Chicago Lighthouse

In it’s 110^th year, the race to Mackinac Island is one of the biggest boating days of the year. Want to watch? Head to any beach or hang out at Navy Pier to watch them sail off.

 

50^th Annual Sheffield Music Fest & Garden Walk | July 21-22 | Sheffield & Webster

Sheffield Music Fest & Garden walk features over 80 gardens sure to inspire and impress, complete with tours and architecture that even those without green thumbs are sure to love.

 

Chicago Craft Beer Festival | July 21-22 | Lincoln Park

Whether you prefer a stout to an IPA, Chicago’s Craft Beer Festival has everything from daily tastings , great food, and over 70 specialty beers.

 

Wicker Park Fest | July 28-29 | Wicker Park

Reflecting this community’s musical heritage and eclectic nightlife, Wicker Park Fest brings over 50 bands to four stages, ensuring that everyone who comes will be dancing the day away.

 

Taste of Lincoln Avenue | July 28-29 | Lincoln & Fullerton

Spanning over six city blocks, Taste of Lincoln Avenue celebrates 35 years of music, food, and crafts for all Chicagoans to enjoy.

Lollapalooza | August 2-5 | Grant Park

With headliners like the Arctic Monkey’s, Bruno Mars, and Jack White of the White Stripes, this four day music fest once again brings the music to the urban streets of Chicago.

 

Jeff Fest | August 3-5 | Jefferson Memorial Park

Dubbing themselves as having “something for everyone, every genre”, Jefferson Park Fest has become one of the most anticipated music festivals in all of Chicagoland.

 

Retro on Roscoe | August 10-12 | Roscoe Village

If you’re ready to step back in time, then come to Retro on Roscoe! With over 50 antique cars and antique vendors, the entire family can feel like a time traveler.

 

Tastemaker Chicago | August 17-18 | Revel Space at Fulton Market

Top chefs from Chicago and Toronto have to come together to bring off-menu items to the West Loop in one of the most intimate summer festivals in Chicago. 

 

Chicago Air & Water Show | August 18-19 | North Avenue Beach

In its 60^th year, the Chicago Air & Water show brings daredevil air tricks to the city’s beach and sky.

 

Logan Square Food Truck Social | August 24-26 | Logan Square

Over 25 food trucks are coming to Humboldt Boulevard once again for the 3^rd annual Logan Square Food Truck Social, dishing up some of the best food to drive around the city.

 

Chicago Jazz Festival | August 30 – September 2 | Millennium Park

No matter if you’re a John Coltrane fan, or a Duke Ellington fanatic, Chicago’s Jazz Festival brings everything jazz to the masses for four days in August.

 

Great American Lobster Fest | August 31- September 2 | Navy Pier

all the way from the cold waters of the Atlantic comes a smorgasbord of fresh seafood just waiting to be eaten at the Great American Lobster Fest.

 

African Festival of the Arts | August 31 – September 3 | Washington Park

Visitors will be taken across the Diaspora over Labor Day weekend, where a simulated African village is built – complete with drumming, hand-woven fabrics, and collectible artifacts.