Every Single 2015 Summer Festival in Chicago, Now in One Calendar
According to SuperVagueFacts.com, Chicago has more summer festivals than SOME OTHER CITIES IN THE WORLD, which would be way awesomer if not for the fact that keeping track of that many summer festivals is almost impossible. "Almost," because, theoretically speaking, someone could put every single one into some sort of super-convenient master calendar that looked a little something like, um, well, THIS.
Mayfest
The annual kickoff to the summer street festival season with an outdoor beer garden, live music, sangria, and a pet pageant.
Andersonville Wine Walk
Andersonville’s retail shops are transformed into wine tasting rooms at 11 locations pouring 30+ wines.
Mole de Mayo
Local chefs and restos serve up mole dishes with lucha libre wrestlers, live music, and dance. O-freaking-lé.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
Live bands, food, booze, art, and booze. Also: Food.
Maifest
The spring version of Oktoberfest features German Maypole dancing, beer, pretzels, lederhosen, and live music.
Millennium Art Festival
Check out 110 juried artists with live music, food, and a graffiti wall.
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
It’s like Blues Fest, only in Millennium Park and with gospel music.
Do Division Festival
Phew, no math involved. Instead, check out indie bands booked by Empty Bottle including Black Mountain, Temples, and Merchandise. Also: pony rides!
Lincoln Park Wine Festival
Wine takes over Jonquil Playlot Park with this new fest featuring 80+ varietals, plus live music, food pairings, and on-site sommeliers.
Lincoln Park Greek Fest
Greek food takes over the grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, plus live music and dance.
Little Village Flavors of Mexico
This new fest focuses on authentic food from Chicago’s Mexican community with a chef competition (chefetition?), dance troupes, and Mexican carnival.
River North Beer Fest
Sample 50+ beers from Goose Island, Ale Syndicate, Revolution, and others, plus FREE Uber ride.
57th Street Art Fair
Peep Obama’s hood along with art displays, demonstrations, signings, pop-up talks, and live music.
Remix Chicago
Juried art made from recycled and found materials, plus live music, food, and educational workshops.
Printers Row Lit Fest
Book nerds can geek out and see guest authors from David Axelrod to Bob Saget.
Pilsen Food Truck Fest
New fest with 40+ food trucks, music from Empty Bottle, and Revolution beer.
Wingout
Enjoy live blues music and—get this—all-you-can-eat wings for four hours. Giddy up.
Andersonville Midsommarfest
Annual celebration of Swedish heritage with Maypole dancing, a pet parade, and plenty of Swedish meatballs. Blurg-d-blurg.
Ribfest
Eat piles of ribs (and non-ribs, as well) while checking out live bands and the annual RibMania eating contest.
Spring Awakening
It’s like Ultra Music Fest invaded Soldier Field at this EDM extravaganza, headlined by Tiesto, Diplo, and Afrojack. Expect plenty of glow sticks.
Chicago Blues Festival
The Old Faithful of free Chicago music festivals.
Brew to Be Wild
The zoo hosts a full-blown brew fest with 75+ specialty craft beers produced by 35 local and regional breweries with lawn games, a DJ, and tasting tents set up on zoo grounds.
Wells Street Art Festival
Food from local restos, live music, and juried art from 200+ local and regional artists.
Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival
Athenaeum Theatre, Chopin Theatre and Wrigley Square in Millennium ParkContemporary circus performances in Chicago that include gravity defying aerials and acrobatics.
Fiestas Puertorriqueñas
Annual celebration of Puerto Rican heritage with authentic Caribbean cuisine, carnival rides, and Puerto Rican People’s Parade.
Taste of Randolph Street
Food from Chicago’s No. 1 food 'hood with live music from Dinosaur Jr., Dandy Warhols, and Best Coast, plus a dance stage.
Chicago Ale Fest
Sample 200+ American craft beers at this new summer festival, plus live music, all while surrounded by Buckingham Fountain.
Oakley Festa Pasta Vino
Annual celebration of Italian culture with food, wine, and live music in Chicago’s “original” Little Italy.
Windy City LakeShake
New country music festival on the lakefront. Y'all.
6 Corners BBQ Fest
Local and national ribbers sling slabs of BBQ, plus live music and pro wrestling shows. Naturally.
Green Music Fest
Live indie bands perform on a bike-powered stage with craft beer booth and eco-friendly vendors. NATURALLY.
Gold Coast Art Fair
One of the country’s top-rated art fairs also offers food, music, and beer.
Chicago Pride Fest
Gear up for the Pride Parade (the following week) with dance/pop acts, food and drink, and art tailored to the local gay community.
Make Music Chicago
Check out 13 hours of live music with 180 performances at 40 locations around the city.
Back Lot Bash
Outdoor women’s festival features live bands, comics, and DJs held in conjunction with Pride Fest.
Logan Square Arts Festival
Craft cocktails from The Whistler, sangria from Lula Café, live bands, and food from local restos including Parson’s Chicken & Fish.
Dog Dayz of Summer
Hot Doug’s (!) and Goose Island team up for a special day of live music, beer, Hot Doug’s food (!!!!), and a chance to party with Doug himself (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).
World's Largest Block Party
The annual beer/music fest is moving from its longtime location at Old St. Pat’s Church to a new spot in UIC lot.
Elston Avenue Sausage & Music Fest
New fest featuring... sausage and music!
Pride Parade
Watch the parade down a four-mile route from Uptown to Lincoln Park.
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
The African/Caribbean heritage celebration moves to Union Park and along with it: live music, reggae, soccer, and food.
Windy City Ribfest
Beer, wine, live music, and BBQ slabs from top local and national rib dudes.
The Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic
One of the world’s largest house music festival events, also known as the “Woodstock of House Music.”
Taste of Chicago
The Old Faithful of free Chicago food fests.
Ruido Fest
Latin alternative music fest with Café Tacuba, Kinky, and Ozomatli.
Square Roots Music Festival
Live music from the Old Town School of Folk plus 30+ craft beers and food from local restos.
artfest Michigan Avenue
Peep art from 100+ artists at this “all art” show at the base of Tribune Tower overlooking the river.
Irish American Heritage Festival
St. Patrick’s Day comes early with live music, Irish dancers, a craft beer tent, a “men in kilts” contest, food from local restaurants, and a mashed potato eating contest.
Windy City Smokeout
Take down BBQ from top local restos including Dinosaur BBQ, Chicago q, and Smoque, plus live music and craft brews.
Mamby on the Beach
New South Side beach music festival features dance and indie bands including Empire of the Sun, Passion Pit, and Phantogram.
Taste of Lakeview
Taste (duh!) eats from the hood including Chicago-style pizza, ice cream, and gelato, plus live music.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Live music and burgers from local restos including Butcher & the Burger, Cortland’s Garage, Hackney’s, Rockit Burger Bar, McGee’s, Trenchermen, Reggie’s, and others, plus a best burger contest.
West Fest
Music from Empty Bottle, DJs, live art demonstrations, and a pet festival.
Taste of River North
Live music and food from local restos including Kerryman, Motel Bar, and El Hefe.
BenFest
Festival named after nearby St. Benedict Parish features food, beer, and live music... including a band named Libido Funk Circus.
Pitchfork Music Festival
Annual hipster Lollapalooza featuring Wilco, Chance the Rapper, and Sleater-Kinney.
Southport Art & Music Fest
Previously known as Summer on Southport with mixed media, live music, and interactive games.
Chicago Craft Beer Festival
Sample 80+ craft beers from Half Acre, Revolution, Two Brothers, Founders, Hinterland, and others. Also: live music!
Sheffield Garden Walk and Music Festival
Held in collaboration with Chicago Craft Beer Fest, explore 80 of the neighborhood’s lushest gardens... with beer in hand.
Celebrate Clark Street Festival
Two stages of live world music, circus acts, face painting, and global cuisine from Greece to Senegal.
Sausage Fest
A smorgasbord of encased meats, live music, beer, and the crowning of a Sausage King.
Chinatown Summer Fair
Check out the Lion Dance Procession, Chinese dance, martial arts demonstrations, food from local spots, and a “hot legs” contest... for men (!...??).
Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival
Live music, local food, booze, you know the drill.
Chicago Margarita Fest
Live music, food trucks, margarita tastings, and a fireworks show over the lake.
Chicago Hot Sauce Fest
Sponsors include Fat Rice, Al’s Beef, Chicago Hot Sauce Club, Dia de los Tamales, and Major League Eating.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
See nearly 30 musical acts on three stages with food, booze, and the in-fest Lill Street Craft Fair at Lill & Lincoln.
Wicker Park Fest
Live indie bands booked by Subterranean and oddball art, with past installations including inflatable sculptures and flying hawkmen.
Fiesta del Sol
The largest Latino festival in the Midwest features live music, DJs, food vendors, carnival rides, soccer games, and a 5K.
Lollapalooza
Perry Farrell’s annual party headlined this year by Paul McCartney, Metallica, and Florence + the Machine.
Taste of Latin America
A celebration of all things Central and South American, including food, art, live music, and cooking demonstrations.
Edge Fest
Music, karaoke, food, art, and a dog costume contest.
Chicago Hot Dog Fest
The annual celebration of encased meats expands to THREE days this year, with live music and all sorts of crazy toppings.
Retro on Roscoe
Throwback live bands plus an antique car and motorcycle show, face painting (!!!!!!!!!!), and rides.
Bud Billiken Parade
Watch the parade wind through Bronzeville followed by a picnic in Washington Park with entertainment and giveaways for underprivileged youth.
Wrigleyville Summerfest
Neighborhood munchies, live bands, and a moon bounce for the kiddies.
Northalsted Market Days
Live music, people watching, and 300+ food and arts/crafts vendors.
Festa Italiana
Italian food fest with meatball/cannoli-eating contests, Italian card games, live music, and Italian folk dancing.
Edison Park Fest
Drink Miller Lite while checking out local cover bands like 16 Candles and Wedding Banned.
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
Check out live bands, dance, and theatre on outdoor stages followed by after parties at the nearby Red Line Tap.
Windy City Carnival
A celebration of West Indian and Caribbean culture where you can dance, eat, and sing with carnival spectators.
Chicago Air & Water Show
Ever heard of it?
Great American Lobster Fest
The Midwest’s largest lobster fest features fresh Boston lobster, surf and turf, live music, and games.
Clark After Dark
Support the troops with live music, drinks, a live auction, and a raffle benefitting the USO of Illinois.
Albany Park World Fest
Globe-spanning beats from Brazilian, to West African, to Asian, with the diversity of food, retailers, and markets to match.
Chicago Food Truck Social
Food trucks, chef demonstrations, live music, and an oyster shucking competition with local chefs.
West Loop Art Fest
Live art demonstrations, food, and live music, plus a graffiti wall, art bingo, and a photo booth.
Taste of Greektown
Food from local Greektown restos plus Greek bands and games.
Chicago Dancing Festival
Dance gets its own fest at venues across the city.
Bucktown Arts Fest
Free neighborhood arts fest with 200+ artists, three music stages, craft beer, and food.
Chicago Fashion Fest
Prep the outdoor runways for local fashionistas, live bands, and plenty of sangria.
Chicago Fringe Festival
Avant garde theater pushes boundaries at this local theater fest with a commitment to reach artistically underserved communities.
Chicago Jazz Festival
Check out some of the world’s top jazz acts for free.
North Coast Music Festival
The diverse annual Labor Day dance music bash is headlined this year by The Chemical Brothers, Atmosphere, and Chromeo.
Taste of Polonia
Wide variety of Polish food and beer, plus polka bands and an indoor casino/arcade.
African Festival of the Arts
Washington Park is transformed into a simulated African village with art, music, and African spirituality spaces.
Shock Top Oyster Fest
House fresh seafood, listen to live music, and watch plenty of shucking.
Windy City Wine Festival
Sample 300+ wines surrounded by Buckingham Fountain with live music and area chefs/food vendors.
Riot Fest
The annual punk rock carnival has grown to encompass more rock acts in recent years. The 2015 lineup is still TBA.
Lakeview East Festival of the Arts
150+ artists plus live demonstrations and entertainment stages.
World Music Festival
Expand your musical borders at this free, city-wide, multi-venue 11-day festival.
Andersonville City Made Fest
Chicago beers, music and artisans all come together for a weekend of celebrating all things local.
Ravenswood ArtWalk
Experience a weekend of art, music, food, and community while getting a peek inside the spaces that have helped define Ravenswood.
Lakeview Taco Fest
Tacos take center stage with inventive offerings plus Mexican wrestlers, beer and taco parings, and a best taco contest.
Renegade Craft Fair
Indie arts and crafts, indie bands, and food/drink from local vendors.
Chicago Gourmet
The ultimate in fancy-pants dining with 150+ top chefs and restos, plus wineries, spirit makers, and breweries.
Oktoberfest Chicago
Beer, brats, Bavarian pretzels, beer, lederhosen, live pop/German music on two stages, and also beer.
Edgewater Fall Art Fair
120+ Chicago artists are paired with live music, a beer garden, and a talent show.
Design Harvest Fest
This Chicago street festival celebrates design with hay rides, live music, and silent auction.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
See live jazz on 14 stages across Hyde Park in a variety of settings with 18 hours of free, nonstop live performances.