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.

Flickr/Kate Gardiner (Edited)

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.
Flickr/Richard Yuan (Edited)

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.
Flickr/Peter F. (Edited)

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.
Flickr/Kate Gardiner

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.
Flickr/Roman (Edited)

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.