If you are anything like me, you are getting really anxious for spring and summer which are just around the corner. Mark up your calendars, because there are many things you will not want to miss! From smaller-scale neighborhood festivals to some of the biggest events in America, Chicago hosts it all!
Chicago’s 177th Birthday Celebration
Chicago’s 177th Birthday Celebration
Where: Daley Plaza
When: March 4, 11am-7pm
Cost: Free
Creative Chicago Expo
Where: Chicago Cultural Center,
78 E. Washington Street
When: March 14-15, 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Are you a professional or aspiring designer, musician,
filmmaker, artist, chef, or involved in another creative career field? Come to
Creative Chicago Expo! There are over 30 workshops and 140 exhibitors coming
together for this event.
Palestine Film Festival
May 1, 2014 (begins April 19)
The Palestine Film Festival exhibits
and promotes films by Palestinian directors as well as films about Palestine at
the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Movies and Music Festival
May 1 - 4, 2014
The Chicago International Movies & Music Festival
(CIMMfest) is “where movies and music meet.” See
films with a music connection by day, and hear live music with a film
connection by night at Wicker Park and Logan Square.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco
de Mayo Festival features live music, authentic foods, arts and crafts, and
activities for families on W 26th St. at Kostner. Free.
Polish Parade
May 3, 2014
Polish
Constitution Day Parade celebrates ratification of the Polish constitution in
1791 and is billed as the biggest Polish parade outside Poland. Begins 11:30 at
Buckingham Fountain. Goes up Columbus. Free.
Chicago Kids and Kites Festival
Where:
Montrose Harbor, Lincoln Park
When:
May 3, 10am – 4pm
Cost:
Free
In the effort to celebrate the joys of being a kid, Chicago
Kids and Kites is a wonderful event for the whole family to attend. Activities
include face painting, balloon art, kite flying and instruction, and crafts.
Mayfest
May 16 - 18,
2014
Mayfest is bands in a giant tent, festival food, pretzels,
and beer. Saturday is kids’ day. Sunday is a pet pageant & expo. At 3100 N
Ashland Ave. Cost. (Don’t confuse with Maifest on May 29.)
Maifest
May 29 -
June 1, 2014
8 miles NW
The German festival known as Maifest Chicago serves beer,
brats, sauerkraut, and music in Lincoln Square at Lincoln Ave. and Leland Ave.
Free. (Don’t confuse with Mayfest on May 16.)
Chicago Memorial Day Parade
Where: State St. from Lake
Street to Van Buren
When: Saturday, May 24 at
11am
Cost: Free
The Chicago Memorial Day Parade is one of the largest in the
nation. At 11am, the Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at the Eternal Flame on
Daley Plaza. The parade will step off at noon.
Millennium Art Festival
May 30 -
June 1, 2014
0.5 mile
south
The Millennium Art Festival features artwork, food from
local restaurants, and live easy-listening music on Lake Street at Michigan
Avenue. Free.
Millennium Park Music Series
Where:
Millennium Park
When: Loops and Variations –
Thursdays from May 29-July 3
Downtown Sound: New Music
Mondays from June 2 – August 11, no concert 7/28
Made in Chicago: World
Class Jazz – Thursdays
Cost:
Free
Division Street Festival
May 30 -
June 1, 2014
4 miles NW
Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale has rousing live
music, a sidewalk sale, a fashion show, and a family fun fest (Sat. & Sun.)
on Division Street between Damen and Leavitt. Donation.
Festival of Cultures
May 17 - 18,
2014
15 miles NW
Experience ethnic folk music and dance, exotic food, unique
arts and crafts, international children’s games, beer tasting, a bazaar, and
cultural exhibits at the Skokie Festival of Cultures in Oakton Park. Free.
Craft Beer Week
May 2014
(undated)
Chicago
locations
Chicago Craft Beer Week features hundreds of craft beer
events in the greater Chicago area, from special $4 tastings of rare beers to
beer dinners. It’s sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild.
Millennium Art Festival
June 1, 2014
(begins May 30)
0.5 mile
south
The Millennium Art Festival features artwork, food from
local restaurants, and live mellow music on Lake Street at Michigan Avenue.
Free.
Turkish Fest
June 6 - 7,
2014 (uncertain)
Downtown
Chicago
Experience the art, music, dance, and cuisine of Turkey at the
Chicago Turkish Festival in Pioneer Court at 401 N Michigan Ave. Free.
Midsummer Festival
June 6 - 8,
2014
7.5 miles
north
Andersonville Midsommarfest is a street fair with music,
dancing, handmade crafts, and ethnic; donation requested. Swedish American
Museum has a Maypole dance on the weekend.
Book Fair
June 7 - 8,
2014
1 mile south
Shop from 200 booksellers and attend 100 literary events and
signings on the south end of Dearborn Street at the Printers Row Lit Fest,
billed as the largest free outdoor literary festival in the Midwest.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
June 7 - 8,
2014
Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with local bands, food,
drink, and street vendors at the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival on N.
Sheffield from Belmont to School. Donation.
Wells Street Art Festival
June 14 -
15, 2014
1.5 miles
north
Old Town Art Fair
June 14 -
15, 2014
3 miles north
See drawings, paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and
works in metal, stone, glass, and wood by 250 juried artists at Old Town Art
Fair on tree-lined Lincoln Ave. at Wisconsin. Donation.
Chicago Summer Film Series
Come to Millennium Park
on Tuesdays between June 24 and August 29 for FREE summer film screenings at
the Jay Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park. Don’t forget your picnic dinner!
Chicago SummerDance
Where: Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park
When: June 27-September 14 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday), Time
TBA
Cost: Free
This dancing event includes a one hour dancing lesson taught
by a professional and followed by two hours of live music and dancing. And the
best part is—it’s free!
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
Where:
Multiple Locations, including the Chicago Cultural Center
When:
June 27-29
Cost:
Free
The Chicago Gospel Music festival features well-known and up
and coming artists from the Chicagoland area including groups, soloists, praise
dancers, mimes, and more.
Country Music Festival
June 28 -
29, 2014
3 miles
north
Chicago Country Fest has 20 hours of live country music,
line dancing, artisan booths, and barbecue on Clark Street at Armitage.
Donation.
Southport Street Fair
June 28 -
29, 2014 (uncertain)
6 miles
north
Summer on Southport is a mellow event with live music,
vendors, food, and a children’s festival on N Southport Ave. at Waveland.
Donation.
Pride Parade
June 29,
2014
Chicago Pride Parade for gay and lesbian pride has 200 floats,
decorated vehicles, performers, and marching bands that pass 800,000 spectators
on N. Broadway. Free.
Ravinia Music Festival
June 2014
(undated)
23 miles
north
Ravinia Festival is billed as America’s oldest outdoor music
festival, with a long series of performances at Ravinia Park in Highland Park.
Cost.
Comedy Festival
June 2014
(undated)
Chicago
locations
Just for Laughs Chicago is six days of stand-up comedy and
sketches by more than 100 comedians.
Classical Music Festival
June 11 - August
16, 2014
Chicago
locations
Grant Park Music Festival is an outdoor classical music
series at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, normally on Wednesday,
Friday, and Saturday. Free.
Puerto Rican Festival and Parade
June 12 -
15, 2014
5 miles west
The four-day Puerto Rican Festival at Humboldt Park has
carnival rides, music, and Puerto Rican foods like arepas (corn cakes with
cheese). The Puerto Rican People’s Parade is Saturday on Division Street from
Western to Sacramento. Both free.
Blues Festival
June 13 -
15, 2014
1 mile south
Chicago’s biggest music festival, Chicago Blues Festival,
brings top-name talent to multiple stages in Grant Park & Millennium Park.
After the show, music continues late into the night at city clubs. Free.
Taste of Randolph
June 13 -
15, 2014
The highly acclaimed Taste of Randolph offers six blocks of
artisan and restaurant booths plus three music stages on W Randolph Street from
Peoria St. to Racine Ave. Donation.
Electronic Dance Music Festival
June 13 -
15, 2014
Spring Awakening Music Festival draws 75,000 to Soldier
field to hear the best in electronic dance music (EDM) by some of the world’s
top DJs. Cost.
June 21 -
22, 2014
The Gold Coast Art Fair at Grant Park has 350 juried artists
and an improved layout this year separating music and food. Butler Field on E
Monroe St. Free.
Green Music Festival
June 21 -
22, 2014
Green Music Fest features environmentally friendly vendors and
cutting-edge music on N Damen Ave. between North and Schiller. Donation.
Pride Festival
June 21 -
22, 2014
6 miles
north
Chicago Pride Fest is a huge weekend street festival for gay
and lesbian pride with dance and pop music on two stages, food, drink, arts and
crafts vendors, and a pet parade at Waveland & Halsted. Donation.
Taste of Chicago
Where: Grant Park
When: July 9-13
Cost: Free
What better way to experience Chicago than tasting a little
bit of everything? Come enjoy the food and festivities.
West Town Street Fair
July 12 -
13, 2014
3 miles west
West Fest has cutting-edge music on 3 stages, a kid fest on
Wolcott Ave., a dog fest, and local vendors on W Chicago Ave. from Damen to
Wood. Donation.
Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival
June 2014
(undated)
Lincoln Park Arts and Music Festival offers art, live music,
food, drink, and kids’ activities on Racine Ave. from Fullerton to Webster.
Donation.
Burger Festival
July 12 -
13, 2014
5 miles NW
Enjoy fine beef, veggie, and turkey burgers with toppings or
BBQ, plus music, arts & crafts, and a kids’ zone at Roscoe Village Burger
Fest on Belmont at Damen. Donation.
Irish fest
July 12 -
14, 2014
9 miles NW
Irish American Heritage Festival has Irish music and dance
on five stages, a folk tent, food vendors, beer & wine, clothing &
jewelry artisans, contests, and family activities at Irish American Heritage
Center.
Craft Beer Fest
July 19 -
20, 2014
3.5 miles NW
The Chicago Craft Beer Festival is a Belgian beer fest at N
Sheffield Ave. & Webster.
Clark Street Festival
July 19 -
20, 2014 (uncertain)
10 miles
north
Enjoy multi-cultural food, art, music, and dance at
Celebrate Clark Street Festival on N Clark St. from Morse to Estes. Kids’
activities. Donation.
Chinatown Summer Fair
July 20,
2014
Chinatown
Summer Fair features a dragon and lion dance procession, street vendors, live
music, martial arts, and a children’s area on S. Wentworth Ave. at Cermak Rd.
Free.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
July 26 -
27, 2014
3.5 miles
north
Shop 250 vendors, hear 35 music acts on 3 stages, see juried
art, and take the kids to a free afternoon carnival with pony rides and a
petting zoo at Taste of Lincoln Avenue from Fullerton to Wrightwood. Donation.
Latino festival
July 31 -
Aug. 3, 2014
Fiesta del Sol delivers live entertainment, local art,
diverse cuisine, carnival rides, but no alcohol on W. Cermak Rd. between Morgan
and Ashland. Free.
Ravinia Music Festival
July 2014
(undated)
23 miles
north
Ravinia Festival is billed as America’s oldest outdoor music
festival, with a long series of performances at Ravinia Park in Highland Park.
Cost.
Dragon Boat Races
July 2014
(undated)
3 miles
south
Watch teams compete in colorful boats on the river, hear
music, see dance, shop vendors, and attend an awards ceremony at Dragon Boat
Race for Literacy at Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 E 18th Street. Free.
Taste of River North
July 2014
(undated)
1.5 miles NW
Enjoy food from local restaurants, shop local vendors, and
hear live music at Taste of River North at Ward Park (Kingsbury & Erie).
Donation.
July 2014
(undated)
2.5 miles
north
Zoovies are Lincoln Park Zoo free outdoor movies.
Sheffield Avenue Festival
July 19 -
20, 2014
3.5 miles NW
The Sheffield Garden Walk & Music Festival features live
music, self-guided tours of 80 gardens, guided architectural tours, food and
drink, and kids’ activities at N Sheffield Ave. & Webster. Donation.
Greek Festival
July 2014
(undated)
15 miles NW
The Big Greek Food Fest of Niles features authentic Greek
food, live music, and dancing in Niles. Cost.
Thursday Jazz
July 2014
(undated)
0.5 miles
south
Enjoy a concert every Thursday at Made in Chicago: World
Class Jazz in Millennium Park. Free.
Wicker Park Music Festival
July 2014
(undated)
3.5 miles NW
Wicker Park Fest brings cutting-edge local and national acts
to three stages on Milwaukee Ave. from North Ave. to Paulina St. Go early for
the best shopping and best-behaved crowd. Donation.Lollapalooza
August 1 -
3, 2014
1.5 miles
south
Lollapalooza is a three-day music festival with more than
100 popular alternative rock, punk rock, heavy metal, and hip hop bands; comedy
and dance; and craft booths in Grant Park. Cost.
Classical Music Festival
August 1 -
16, 2014 (begins June 11)
Chicago
locations
Grant Park Music Festival is an outdoor classical music
series at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, normally on Wednesday,
Friday, and Saturday. Free.
Wrigleyville Summer Festival
August 2 -
3, 2014
5 miles
north
Wrigleyville Summerfest has food, drink, music, and a kids’
zone at 3300 N Seminary Ave. Donation.
Latin American Festival
August 2 -
3, 2014
6.5 miles NW
Taste of Latin America: Food, Wine, Art Festival is a
neighborhood festival with cooking demonstrations, food, world music, beer
& wine tents, a kids’ area, and arts & crafts on W Armitage Ave. from
Central Park Ave to Avers Street. Free.
Edgewater Festival
August 2 -
3, 2014
8 miles
north
Edge Fest is known for its bacon theme, but it also serves
art and local bands on N Broadway from Thorndale to Ardmore. Donation.
Taste of Andersonville
August 6,
2014 (uncertain)
9 miles
north
A ticket gets you samples at 12 local restaurants during
Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl. Cost.
Northalsted Market Days
August 9 -
10, 2014
Northalsted Market Days is a popular gay-friendly street
fair and music festival with 400 food, art, and craft vendors plus musical acts
on 6 blocks of North Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison. Donation.
Retro on Roscoe
August 9 -
10, 2014
Watch top entertainment on 3 stages, shop 6 blocks of art
and antique vendors, and see 50 classic cars at Retro on Roscoe in Roscoe
Village. Donation.
Air and Water Show
August 16 -
17, 2014
2 miles
north
The Chicago Air & Water Show features daredevil pilots,
parachute teams, and jets flying in formation, plus water-skiing and boat
jumping. See it from the waterfront near North Avenue Beach. Free.
Dance Festival
August 20 -
23, 2014
Downtown
Chicago
See ballet, dance, and dance films in multiple venues at
Chicago Dancing Festival. Free.
Food Truck Festival
August 23 -
24, 2014
2 miles NW
Enjoy a meal from a mobile eatery and listen to live music
at the Chicago Food Social at 900 N Branch in the Kendall College parking lot.
Cost.
South Loop Street Fair
August 23 -
24, 2014 (uncertain)
2 miles
south
Bash on Wabash offers musical acts, arts & crafts, a big
kids’ area, food trucks, and beer on Wabash Avenue at 13th Street. Donation.
Taste of Greece
August 23 -
24, 2014
2 miles SW
Enjoy Greek restaurant food, traditional music and dance,
handcrafts, and children’s games at Taste of Greektown at 400 S Halsted Street.
Free.
Bucktown Arts Festival
August 23 -
24, 2014
5 miles NW
Bucktown Arts Fest is an arts celebration that showcases 200
artists, musicians, dancers, poets, and performers at N Oakley and Lyndale.
Free.
Jazz Festival
August 28 -
31, 2014
0.5 miles
south
The Chicago Jazz Festival is Labor Day weekend at Millennium
Park. No dogs. Free.
Eco Art & Music Festival
August 30 -
31, 2014
6 miles NW
Remix Chicago (was Ravenswood Remix) is an art and music
festival featuring artists who use recycled and re-purposed materials, with
food trucks, green workshops, kids’ activities on Milwaukee Avenue from
Fullerton to California. Donation.
Polish Festival
August 29 -
Sept. 1, 2014
10 miles NW
Taste of Polonia features 32 bands, 70 vendors, and 12 food
booths (polska kielbasa, pierogi, potato pancakes, beer) at Copernicus Center.
Cost.
Ravinia Music Festival
August 2014 (undated)
23 miles
north
Ravinia Festival is billed as America’s oldest outdoor music
festival, with a long series of performances at Ravinia Park in Highland Park.
Cost.
Thursday Jazz
August 2014
(undated)
0.5 miles
south
Enjoy a concert every Thursday at Made in Chicago: World
Class Jazz in Millennium Park. Free.
Cuban Festival
August 2014
(undated)
12 miles NW
Festival Cubano promises Cuban music, Latin American food,
vendors, and a kids’ area in Riis Park at Narragansett & Fullerton. Cost.
Italian Festival
August 2014
(undated)
3.5 miles SW
Taylor Street Festa Italiana has music on four stages,
Italian cuisine, a local artisan market, and the Momsay Kids Stage on W Taylor
Street between Ashland and Racine. Donation.
Latin American Festival
August 2014
(undated)
12 miles NW
The National Latin American Festival features Latin American
food, music, culture, and a beauty pageant at Riis Park at Narragansett &
Fullerton.
Polish Festival
September 1, 2014 (begins Aug. 29)
10 miles NW
Taste of Polonia features 32 bands, 70 vendors, and 12 food
booths (polska kielbasa, pierogi, potato pancakes, beer) at Copernicus Center.
Cost.
Craft Fair & Bazaar
September 6
- 7, 2014
3.5 miles NW
Shop from artisans, chefs, and merchants of vintage
household goods when The Renegade Craft Fair and The Vintage Bazaar team up in
Wicker Park. Free.
September 10
- 12, 2014
1 mile south
Berghoff Oktoberfest serves bratwurst, sauerkraut, chicken,
pretzels, and apple strudel plus German music at W Adams St. and Dearborn. Free
to 9 p.m.
World Music Festival
September 11
- 21, 2014
Chicago
locations
Chicago World Music Festival features artists and ensembles
from all over the world. Free.
Mexican Independence Festival
September 12
- 14, 2014
10 miles SW
Thousands attend Festival de La Villita for authentic
Mexican cuisine, music, artisans, carnival rides, and family entertainment on W
26th St. at Kostner. Free.
Old Town Festival
September 13
- 14, 2014
2 miles
north
Previously called Wells Street Fall Festival, it’s now Crush
in Old Town that offers fine art, beer and wine tasting, music, a children’s
area, and local-restaurant food including macaroni & cheese at Wells St.
& North Ave. Donation.
Lakeview East Art Festival
September 13
- 14, 2014
4 miles
north
Meet 175 juried artists selling paintings, sculpture,
photography, furniture, and jewelry at Lakeview East Festival of the Arts on
Broadway Avenue, north of Belmont. Donation.
Apple Festival
September
20, 2014 (uncertain)
7 miles NW
Get some apple pie and cider, listen to local music, or
visit the kid zone at Apple Fest on N Lincoln Avenue from Leland to Lawrence.
Donation.
Taco Festival
September 20
- 21, 2014
5 miles
north
Try tacos from 8 restaurants and vote for the best, try a
dozen different beers, hear live music, see arts & crafts plus a kids’ area
at Lakeview Taco Fest at N Southport Ave. & W Addison St. Donation.
St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest
September 26
- 28, 2014
6 miles NW
Enjoy beer, bratwurst, pretzels, live music, and arts &
crafts at Oktoberfest Chicago on N Lincoln Ave. at Southport. Children’s
“Kinderfest” on Sunday afternoon. Cost.
Hyde Park Art Fair
September 27
- 28, 2014
8 miles
south
Meet friendly artists at the juried Hyde Park Arts &
Crafts Adventure in the courtyard of University of Chicago’s Hyde Park Shopping
Center. Free.
Family Haunts
September 27
- Oct. 30, 2014
The Haunted Barn at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen is
appropriate for mature kids. The Fun Barn will entertain even the youngest
children. Cost.
Rock Festival
September 2014 (undated)
6 miles west
Riot Fest is an
affordable outdoor punk, rock and alternative music festival at Humboldt Park.
Cost.
Logan Square Beer Festival
September 2014 (undated)
7 miles NW
Try 40 beers from 20
breweries at Logan Square Beer Fest in Logan Square Auditorium. Cost.
Edgewater Art Fair
September 2014 (undated)
8 miles north
Edgewater Fall Art
Fair features 60 local artists, live music, a beer garden, fashion show, kids’
corner, and pet parade on W Granville Ave. at Broadway. Donation.
