As the temperatures rise, Chicago has officially welcomed the vibrant festival season, showcasing a remarkable array of events celebrating art, music, culture, and cuisine.
Local street fairs and multi-day music festivals will abound, offering a diverse selection that appeals to all tastes across the city.
With over 60 major festivals scheduled, summer in Chicago is set to be an unforgettable series of celebrations.
**June: The Start of Festivities**
The festival season kicks off in June with a lineup of exciting events.
The Chi Food Truck Fest runs every Friday from May 16 to October 4 at Daley Plaza, featuring a rotating lineup of food trucks.
Jazz enthusiasts can look forward to ‘Jazzin’ at the Shedd’ every Wednesday from May 28 to August 27 at Shedd Aquarium, where performers vary by week.
The Chicago Blues Festival, scheduled from June 5-8, will be celebrated at Ramova Theatre and Millennium Park, headlining notable artists like Mavis Staples and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram.
From June 6-8, the Lincoln Park Greek Fest will take place at 2701 N. Sheffield Ave., featuring local favorites such as 16 Candles and Ormi Orchestra.
Another highlight, Ribfest Chicago, will also run from June 6-8 along Lincoln Avenue, showcasing live music acts including Hello Weekend and Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press.
For electronic music lovers, Beyond Wonderland will be hosted at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on June 7-8, featuring artists like ARMNHMR and Audien.
Art aficionados won’t want to miss the 57th Street Art Fair in Hyde Park on June 7-8, featuring nearly 200 artists alongside music by Buddy Guy’s Legends.
The Gold Coast Art Fair, also on June 7-8 in Grant Park, will showcase over 200 talented artists.
Kicking off a series of musical performances, the Grant Park Music Festival will take place on select dates from June 11 to August 16 at Grant Park, starring the Grant Park Chorus and Grant Park Orchestra.
The Puerto Rican Fest will be celebrated at Humboldt Park from June 12-15, with performances by Viti Ruiz and Oro Solido.
Music and culture come together at Midsommarfest from June 13-15 in Andersonville, featuring artists such as The O’My’s and Ariana DJ.
Meanwhile, Titanic flavors will take center stage at the Taste of Randolph on the same weekend.
This event runs from June 13-15 on W. Randolph Street, boasting performances by Phantogram and Moontype.
A week later, the Wells Street Art Festival on June 14-15 will be lined with artists, food vendors, and merchants along Wells Street.
The Old Town Art Fair, also happening on June 14-15, will gather over 200 artists in the Old Town Triangle Historic District.
A not-to-miss music event, Summer Smash, will be held on June 20-22 at SeatGeek Stadium, showcasing renowned artists like Don Toliver and Future.
From June 20-22, another favorite will be Fiesta Back of the Yards at Ashland Avenue, which promises rides, delicious food, and live entertainment.
Art lovers will converge at the Magnificent Mile Art Festival on June 21-22, featuring over 60 participating artists.
Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, the Chicago Pride Fest will take place from June 21-22 along Halsted Street.
Tuesdays on the Terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art will keep the music flowing with varied performers from June 24 to August 26.
Flavors of Albany Park takes place on June 25, inviting foodies to enjoy offerings from over 60 restaurants on multiple routes.
The season’s musical offerings continue with the Millennium Park Summer Music Series running from June 26 to August 7 with a diverse lineup up to the date.
Ending June on a high note, the Millennium Art Festival occurs on June 28-29, with 110 participating artists at 180 N. Stetson Ave.
**July: A Month of Excitement**
July will be buzzing with festivities, starting with the Millennium Park Summer Film Series showcasing popular films every Tuesday from July 1 to August 19.
NASCAR fans can delight in the NASCAR Street Race taking place on July 5-6 at Grant Park, featuring a performance by the Zac Brown Band.
Food enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Windy City Smokeout from July 10-13 outside the United Center, showcasing acts like Bailey Zimmerman and Old Dominion.
Celebrating Caribbean culture, the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life returns from July 11-13 at 24th Street, featuring performers like Elephant Man.
The Square Roots Festival is also set for July 11-13 along Lincoln Avenue, with a lineup to be announced on June 10.
The inspirational Chicago Gospel Music Festival will take place on July 12 at Millennium Park, with artists to be announced.
Art takes center stage again with the Southport Art Fest happening on July 12-13 at 3733 N. Southport Ave, featuring 100 participating artists.
Taste of River North is another culinary delight set for July 18-19 along Wells Street, with its artist lineup still to be announced.
Celebrate the love for tacos and tamales from July 18-20 along Blue Island Avenue, which features a variety of performers and vendors.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest, another food festival, celebrates from July 18-20 at 2000 W. Belmont Ave. featuring acts like Hello Weekend.
The Ravenswood Corridor will host Ravenswood on Tap from July 19-20, with punk rock performances from Punk’d and Toronzo Cannon.
Chicagoans will welcome the Taste of Lincoln Avenue from July 25-26 in Lincoln/Fullerton, with a yet-to-be-announced lineup.
From July 25-27, Wicker Park Fest will run on N. Milwaukee Avenue featuring bands like Hotline TNT and Letters To Cleo.
Chinatown Summer Fair wraps up July from July 26-27, featuring performances yet to be announced along Wentworth Avenue.
Capping off the month, Lollapalooza will set the stage at Grant Park from July 31 to August 3, showcasing a star-studded lineup.
Fiesta del Sol will also run concurrently on Cermak Road, with details still to be announced.
**August: The Grand Finale**
August brings the festival season to a close in grand fashion, starting with Jeff Fest on August 1-2 at 4822 N. Long Ave, with an engaging lineup to follow.
Northalsted Market Days from August 8-10 will celebrate diversity along Halsted Street with performances from Keke Palmer and David Archuleta.
The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest will feature over 130 artists and performers from August 15-17 along Morse and Glenwood.
One of Chicago’s most iconic events, the Chicago Air and Water Show, will dazzle on August 16-17 along North Avenue Beach with breathtaking aircraft and boat performances.
The Great American Lobster Fest will also take place on August 16-17 at Navy Pier, highlighting an exciting menu.
Edison Park Fest runs from August 22-24 on Olmsted Avenue, featuring performances from ARRA.
Simultaneously, Lakeview Taco Fest will take place at 3500 N. Southport Ave with performances to be announced.
On August 23, the Chicago House Music Festival will flow through Millennium Park, featuring artists to be announced.
The West Loop Art Festival will run on August 23-24 along Fulton Street, promising an engaging lineup.
Rounding out the festival season, the Chicago Jazz Festival from August 28-31 at the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park features Monty Alexander and Kermit Ruffins.
The Arc Music Festival occurs on August 29-31 at Union Park with performers like Adam Beyer.
Finally, the North Coast Music Festival will take place from August 29-31 at SeatGeek Stadium.
The Taste of Polonia closes out August from August 29 to September 1 at 5216 W. Lawrence Ave, showcasing acts such as The Polkaholics.
**September: Autumn Festivities**
As summer gives way to fall, festival season continues with Retro on Roscoe on September 5-7 at 2000 W. Roscoe St., featuring acts to be announced.
The widely anticipated Taste of Chicago invites food lovers to Grant Park from September 5-7, with a lineup of restaurants and vendors to be announced.
German-American Oktoberfest joins the festivities in Lincoln Park with performances to be announced from September 5-7.
The Edgewater Music Fest will take place during the same weekend, embracing the community with performances yet to be announced.
Literature lovers can dive into the Printers Row Lit Fest on September 6-7 along South Dearborn, where schedules will be provided.
Sundays on State will take place on September 7 and October 5 along State Street, with exciting details yet to come.
The Ravenswood Art Walk from September 13-14 invites attendees to the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor to explore local talent, with features yet to be announced.
El Grito Chicago will celebrate Hispanic culture at Grant Park on the same dates.
Riot Fest on September 19-21 at Douglass Park is all set with headliners like blink-182, promising a thrilling experience.
Chicago Gourmet will take place from September 25-28 at Harris Theater Rooftop, featuring culinary delights.
As the festival season transitions into fall, the World Music Festival will run from September 26 to October 5 at various locations around the city.
Lastly, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival wraps up September 27-28 in Hyde Park.
With such a broad mix of events, the summer festival season in Chicago promises to enchant locals and visitors alike with its rich tapestry of culture and entertainment.
image source from：https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/a-list-of-chicago-festivals-to-kickstart-the-summer/3760412/
