Chicago summer festivals: the ultimate guide

In Chicago, fest season is the best season. The city’s social calendar is packed with street fairs, music festivals, pop-up markets, outdoor concerts, food fests, and more all summer long. Don’t miss a beat with this handy guide that covers the best Chicago fests happening each month. Start making your weekend plans now.

May festivals

As the weather warms up, Chicago neighborhoods begin to buzz with the first of the summer festivals.

Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale
Chicago Zine Fest May 16 – 18

Mayfest May 17 – 19

Chicago Science FestMay 18

Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk May 18

Lincoln Park Wine Festival May 17 – 19

Mole de Mayo May 24 – 26

Picnic in Millennium Park Chicago — Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Randolph Street Market Festival May 25 – 26

Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest May 25 – 26

Illinois Craft Beer Week May 10 – 17

Chicago Gospel Music Festival May 31 – June 1

Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale May 31 – June 1

Lincoln Park Greek Fest May 31 – June 2

Taste of Mexico in Little Village May 31 – June 2

June festivals

In June, the outdoor events begin in earnest with fun and free festivals filling neighborhood streets and parks every weekend of the month. Catch free music and movies in Millennium Park each week, get a taste for Chicago’s international neighborhoods at different food fests, and party it up at the Pride Fest and Parade in Boystown.

Millennium Park Music Series Select Mondays & Thursdays, June 13 – Aug. 15

Millennium Park Film Series Tuesdays, June 1 – Aug. 20

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Memorial Day through Labor Day

Lincoln Park Greek Fest May 31 – June 2,

Taste of Mexico in Little Village May 31 – June 2

Chicago Gospel Music Festival May 31 – June 1

Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale May 31 – June 1

57th Street Art Fair June 1 – 2

Hyde Park Brew Fest June 1 – 2

Chicago Underground Film Festival June 5 – 9

Ribfest Chicago June 7 – 9

Chicago Blues Festival June 7 – 9

Andersonville Midsommarfest June 7 – 9

Wells Street Art Festival June 8 – 9

Grant Park Music Festival June 12 – Aug. 17

Cinepocalypse June 13 – 20

Craft Brews at Lincoln Park Zoo June 14 – 15

Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest June 14 – 15

World’s Largest Block Party June 21 – 22

Ruido Fest June 21 – 23

Craft Beer Festival at The Morton Arboretum June 23

Ravenswood on Tap June 22 – 23

Pride Fest Chicago June 22 – 23

Fountain Square Artisan SummerFest June 22 – 23

Millennium Art Festival June 26 – 20

Pride in the Park Chicago June 29

Randolph Street Market Festival June 29 – 30

Chicago Pride Parade June 30

Chicago SummerDance Wednesdays – Sundays, June 27 – August 24

July festivals

Savor the summer at an array of foodie events. July brings fests dedicated to ribs, barbecue, burgers, wine, craft beer, margaritas, and more. And don’t forget the ultimate Chicago food festival — Taste of Chicago, the largest free admission food fest in the world.

Original Rainbow Cone Chicago — Taste of Chicago

Millennium Park Music Series Select Mondays & Thursdays, June 13 – Aug. 15

Millennium Park Film Series Tuesdays, June 1 – Aug. 20

Grant Park Music Festival June 12 – Aug. 17

Chicago SummerDance Wednesdays – Sundays through Aug. 24

Fourth of July Fireworks at Navy Pier July 4

Windy City Ribfest in Uptown July 4 – 6

African/Caribbean International Festival of Life July 4 – 7

West Fest July 5 – 7

Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Music Festival July 6

Taste of Chicago July 10 – 14

Square Roots Craft Brew & Music Festival July 12 – 14

Irish American Heritage Festival July 12 – 14

Windy City Smokeout July 12 – 13

Southport Art & Music Fest July 13 – 14

Roscoe Village Burger Fest July 13 – 14

Dearborn Garden Walk July 21

Rhythm World July 22 – 28

Pitchfork Music Festival July 19 – 21

Taste of River North July 19 – 21

Sheffield Street Fest July 19 – 21

Sheffield Craft Beer Fest July 20

Sheffield Garden Walk July 20 – 21

Chalk Howard Street July 20

artfest Michigan Avenue July 20 – 21

Chicago Craft Beer Festival July 20 – 21

Chinatown Summer Fair July 21

Summer Wine Fest July 26

Wicker Park Fest July 26 – 28

Lincoln Square Greek Fest July 26 – 28

Randolph Street Market Festival July 27 – 28,

Taste of Lincoln Avenue July 27 – 28

Chicago Margarita Festival July 27 – 28

Fiesta del Sol July 25 – 28

August festivals

Summer may be fading, but the city’s festivals are still going strong. Catch the superstar lineup at Lollapalooza in the heart of downtown Chicago, or head into the neighborhoods for a variety of music, food, and cultural festivities. Plus, the Air & Water show takes over the lakefront for a jaw-dropping beachfront display.