Chicago Summer Festivals 2012

Looking for something to do this summer?  How about going to one or more of the endless number of festivals held throughout Chicago's neighborhoods?  From burgers to beer, live music to dance, North side to South side to West side, we have over 70 of the City's unique summertime events encapsulated below.  They're sorted by neighborhood and then in order by date.  Also, a description of each event is given by one of Chicago's top media publications: Time Out Chicago, Metromix Chicago, RedEye Chicago, and Explore Chicago (the City's official tourism website).  So whether in your neighborhood, or the opposite end of town, here are 70+ opportunities to get out and hang with your fellow Chicagoans.

Austin

Taste of Austin            Columbus Park            Aug 17-19           

The largest neighborhood in Chicago takes over Columbus Park to host this fest filled with food, music and a parade. -Time Out Chicago

Bucktown

Bucktown Arts Fest            Lyndale & Oakley            Aug 25-26

Now in its 27th year, the Bucktown Arts fest has grown to become a neighborhood tradition and one of the city’s – and the country’s – premier arts festivals. -Explore Chicago

Chinatown/Armour Square

Chinatown Summer Fair            Cermak & Wentworth            July 15           

A colorful lion and dragon dance procession highlights the 33rd annual neighborhood festival. Additional music and dance performances, plus food from Chinatown restaurants, street vendors, arts and crafts and kids' activities are on tap. -Metromix Chicago

Velika Gospa Croatian Festival            28th & Princeton            Aug 15                       

Velika Gospa, the St. Paddy’s Day of the Croatian community, returns with Croatian food, music and dances. This Chicago tradition has roots more than a century old. -Time Out Chicago

Edgewater

St. Andrew's 51st Annual Greek Festival            Hollywood & Sheridan            July 14-15            

Join St. Andrew Greek Church for their Annual Festival, July 14 & 15, and enjoy Greek food, beer, wine and music, as well as games for the kids. -Explore Chicago

Edgefest            Thorndale & Broadway            Aug 4-5          

Art, music and bacon are the highlights as this Edgewater neighborhood event hopes to prove that everything actually is better with bacon. The cured meat will be prepared and served in a variety of ways. -Time Out Chicago

Chicago SandCastle Open            Hollywood Beach            Aug 18

Be crowned beach royalty as you build lakefront monuments, or watch as others usurp the throne. -Time Out Chicago

Edison Park

Edison Park Fest            Olmstead & Oliphant            Aug 17-19           

Toss your bag in the ring and try to win at this fest’s cornhole tournament. Or let your pup shine at the dog show. Bingo tournaments, live music and a beer garden fill out the entertainment. -Time Out Chicago

Greektown

Taste of Greece            Jackson & Halsted            Aug 25-26           

While Taste of Grease may describe most summer festivals, this celebration of Greek food, music and dancing will still sate your appetite. -Time Out Chicago

Gresham

79th Street Renaissance Festival            79th & Loomis            Sept 8

The Auburn Gresham neighborhood is reborn with a showcase of the neighborhood’s vendors, artists and performers. -Time Out Chicago

Hyde Park/Washington Park

International Festival of Life            Washington Park            July 4-8           

Celebrate the rich culture of the African Diaspora at the 20th Annual International Festival of Life in Washington Park. In addition to featuring great food, music, and arts, this year’s festival honors the 50th Jubilee Year of Jamaican Independence -Explore Chicago

Ghana Fest            Washington Park            July 28           

Eat fufu and don a kente for a day of Ghanian culture, music and food. -Time Out Chicago

African Festival of the Arts            Washington Park            Aug 31-Sept 2                       

This 22nd annual fest, a tradition for many Hyde Park families, includes cultural food, music and shopping. A fine arts market, an African market, a drum village, three stages of performers (including the occasional drop-in performance from the likes of Sly Stone or George Clinton) and events focusing on culture fill the park with activities. -Time Out Chicago

Hyde Park Arts & Crafts Adventure            55th & Harper            Sept 22-23                        

Venture out and explore arts and crafts workshops and demos. -Time Out Chicago

Jefferson Park

Taste of Polonia            Lawrence & Avondale            Aug 31-Sept 2           

Party with plenty of polka, pierogi and potato pancakes at this annual Polish party. -Time Out Chicago

Lake View

Summer on Southport            Waveland & Southport            July 21-22           

Browse locally made artwork and buy treats from food and drink vendors while listening to live music on three stages. The event also includes a children's festival, now in its 11th year, with special activities and entertainment (11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily). A gospel brunch on Sunday rounds it out. -Metromix Chicago

Northalsted Market Days            Belmont & Halsted            Aug 11-12           

Called the Midwest’s largest two-day street festival, this gay-run event offers live music, more than 400 food and arts vendors, and primo people-watching opportunities. Tony Award–winning Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday performs. -Time Out Chicago

Ravenswood Remix            Grace & Ravenswood            Sept 1-2

Ravenswood Remix™ is a festival celebrating artists who incorporate used or recycled items in creating original, handmade art, clothing, household items, jewelry, paper objects, collectibles or any other crafts. -Explore Chicago

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts            Belmont & Broadway            Sept 8-9

More than 150 juried artists showcase their work in a variety of formats. Live music, food, family activities and a sculpture garden entertain at this Boystown event. -Time Out Chicago

Oktoberfest            Wellington, Lincoln, & Southport            Sept 21-23

West Lakeview’s annual Bavarian celebration will have you washing down brats with German beer. Kid-centric KinderFest is held on Sunday. -Time Out Chicago

Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival            Fullerton & Racine            July 7-8                      
Explore juried works of art from nearly 100 participants along Racine Avenue from Webster to Fullerton Avenues. The fourth annual event also features live music by Sister Hazel and other acts, plus food vendors and a kids area with inflatables and activities. -Metromix Chicago

Dearborn Garden Walk            Lincoln Park            July 15

An annual tradition in Chicago will bloom again this summer. Chicago’s 54th Dearborn Garden Walk – presented by the North Dearborn Association – is one of the country’s oldest garden walks.            More than 20 private Dearborn Parkway gardens offer inspiration for creating your own urban oasis. Garden vignettes by Chicago designers showcase dramatic outdoor spaces in the tony Gold Coast neighborhood. -Time Out Chicago

Sheffield Garden Walk & Festival            Webster & Sheffield            July 21-22           

Take a DIY tour of more than 100 resident gardens in the historic Sheffield neighborhood. In conjunction with the fest, the 16th Annual Sidewalk Sale at the Armitage Halsted Webster corridor offers wares from 20 local businesses as well as the usual food, music and kids entertainment. Indie band Gomez rocks the gardens along with Cowboy Mouth and others. -Time Out Chicago

Taste of Lincoln Avenue            Fullerton, Lincoln, & Halsted            July 28-29                      
The main event, now in its 29th year, takes place along Lincoln Avenue from Fullerton Parkway to Wrightwood Avenue. Expect about 40 bands on five stages, hundreds of vendors hawking food and merchandise, and a kids carnival (open from noon-6 p.m. daily) with inflatables, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. Browse indie, handmade works at the second annual Lill Street Craft Fair (open daily until dusk), adjacent to the fest. -Metromix Chicago

Chicago Air & Water Show            Lincoln Park            Aug 18-19

Billed the oldest and largest free show of its kind in the country, the show typically draws two million spectators to the lakefront, from Fullerton Parkway to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. In recent years, the air and water portions have been combined into one continuous show. -Metromix Chicago

Chicago Ice Cream & Gelato Festival            Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum            Aug 30-31            

Demos, pastry-chef battles and an artisan marketplace entertain your brain-freeze-addled head as you savor creamy treats from more than 30 micro-creameries. An additional rooftop grill offers food, local beer and wine. -Time Out Chicago

Dickens Fest            Dickens, Lincoln & Cleveland            Sept 21-22

This fest will feature an afternoon of fun, recreation, snacks and novelty events for families and children. -Explore Chicago     

Lincoln Square

Square Roots            Montrose, Lincoln & Leavitt            July 20-22           

A new street festival organized by the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce salutes craft beer and live music with more than 35 scheduled acts and activities for all ages, plus local and regional breweries and food from area restaurants. Festivities take place along Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson Avenues. Breweries will be serving a variety of pale ales, stouts, wheat ales, toasty malts, spicy hops, summer ales and cream stouts. Two Brothers, Metropolitan, Finch, 5 Rabbit, Greenbush, Vander Mill Cider, Hinterland, Founders and New Holland will be represented at the fest. -Metromix Chicago

German-American Fest            Leland & Lincoln            Sept 7-9

The 92nd annual, free event in Lincoln Square features German music and entertainment. Vendors sell brats, potato salad and other traditional foods and beer. Don't miss the official beer-tapping ceremony on Friday evening.  

On Saturday, the 47th annual Von Steuben Parade (2 p.m.), steps off south of the festival at Lincoln Avenue and Irving Park Road. Parade travels north on Lincoln to Wilson Avenue, west to Western Avenue until reaching the festival site at Western and Leland Avenues. -Metromix Chicago

Little Italy

Festa Italiana            Taylor & Racine            Aug 9-11           

The UIC area gets in touch with its Little Italy roots by showing off neighborhood restaurants and Italian-flavored bands. -Time Out Chicago

Little Village

Festival de La Villita            26th & Kostner            Sept 7-9

Celebrate Mexican independence and culture in the Little Village neighborhood at the 23rd annual fest, featuring more than 100 vendors, including neighborhood restaurants, plus live music, kids activities, carnival rides and arts and crafts. On Sunday, the fest marks the end point of the annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade. -Metromix Chicago

Logan Square
Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival            Diversey, Milwaukee, & Kimball            July 20-22            One of Logan Square's largest arts festivals with more than 250 artist of all mediums. Attractions also include 3 stages of live music, food trucks and beer from Revolution Brewing. -RedEye Chicago

The Boulevard            Logan, Milwaukee, & Kedzie            Aug 24-26           

This Logan Square (which is actually in a circle) bash features live music, art, food and craft beers. -Time Out Chicago

Taste of Latin America            Armitage & Central Park            Aug 24-26           

This inaugural food and wine fest hopes to transport you South of the Border to the food and culture of Central and South America. -Time Out Chicago

The Loop

Taste of Chicago            Grant Park            July 11-15           

The 32nd annual fest is just five days long in 2012 (it was formerly 10). According to The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Taste will showcase classic and emerging restaurants in Chicago, along with cooking demos and local and national music acts. Also new this year: For $40, get a three-course, seated dinner prepared by a different top chef each day. The schedule features Carlos Gaytan of Mexique (Wednesday), Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia (Thursday), Graham Elliot of G.E.B. (Friday), Stephanie Izard of Girl & The Goat (Saturday) and Jimmy Bannos Sr. of Heaven on Seven (Sunday). Meals are served at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; noon Saturday-Sunday. -Metromix Chicago

Grant Park Music Festival            Grant Park           Throughout Summer: Wed, Fri, & Sat 

Pack a picnic and stretch out on the Great Lawn or grab a chair in the Seating Bowl as you listen to the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus serenade packs of Chicagoans. Food and drink, including alcohol, are permitted. (Yes!) -Time Out Chicago

Chicago SummerDance            Grant Park            Throughout Summer: Thurs-Sun            

Join other movers and shakers for an hourlong dance lesson with professional instructors, followed by live music, weather permitting. The 16th annual event is billed as the largest of its type in the U.S. -Metromix Chicago

Lollapalooza            Grant Park            Aug 3-5           

The colossal, 20-year-old music fest that’s been taking over Grant Park for more than six years returns. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, Jack White, Florence + The Machine, and others headline. -Time Out Chicago

Chicago Jazz Festival            Grant Park            Aug 30-Sept 2           

If you like music and all that jazz, come out to the most extensive free jazz fest in the world. Ken Vandermark is this year’s artist-in-residence. -Time Out Chicago

Windy City Wine Festival            Buckingham Fountain            Sept 7-8           

Sample more than 270 wines from around the world. Live music and cooking demos will also take place. -Time Out Chicago

Chicago Turkish Festival            Washington & Clark            Sept 8-9

If all you know is that it’s Istanbul and not Constantinople, head on over to this event to sip Turkish coffee, eat baklava and orchid ice cream and learn about Turkish and Turkish-American culture. -Time Out Chicago

Berghoff's Oktoberfest            Adams & Dearborn            Sept 12-15           

For four days Federal Plaza plays the role of Munich, Germany, in Berghoff’s version of the world’s largest fair. Take in live music, German beer and bavarian food. -Time Out Chicago

World Music Festival            Washington & Michigan            Sept 21-27

Globe-trot through music at this citywide, multi-venue annual fest, which includes free and ticketed concerts. It will be interesting to see the schedule without the fest’s former, beloved curator, Michael Orlove, who’s now with the NEA. -Time Out Chicago

North Center

BenFest            Irving Park & Bell            July 13-14           

Luckily this fest has nothing to do with a pet rat. Instead, folks at St. Benedict throw this benefit to aid their schools and parish. Food, tunes and more than $10,000 in raffle prizes entice fest faithfuls. -Time Out Chicago

North Side Summerfest            Irving Park, Lincoln, & Damen            Aug 17-19                      
Stroll along Lincoln Avenue in the North Center neighborhood at this sixth annual fest featuring live music, arts and crafts, and food and drink vendors. On Sunday, don't miss an amateur hot dog-eating contest. -Metromix Chicago


North Park

Chicago Korean Festival            Bryn Mawr & Kimball            Aug 11-12           

Say anyang without having to talk about Arrested Development. Unless you want to talk about it—we won’t stop you. At this annual fest, take in traditional Korean dances, food and culture. -Time Out Chicago

Old Town

Ginza Holiday Festival            Menomonee & Sedgwick            Aug 10-12           

Yoko Noge and the Jazz Me Blues Band return to headline the 57th annual Japanese cultural festival at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Throughout the weekend, see taiko drummers, classical dancers and martial arts and fencing demos. Five master craftsmen (waza) from Tokyo show off their generations-old skills and sell their crafts. Also for sale: Japanese dry goods, kimonos, jewelry and plenty of traditional food, including teriyaki chicken, udon, sushi and grilled corn, plus Japanese beer. Also, a fortune-teller joins the fest this year. -Metromix Chicago

Pilsen

Fiesta Del Sol            Cermak & Loomis            July 26-29           

More than a million people are expected to attend the 40th annual community festival in Pilsen.  Billed as the largest Latino fest in the Midwest, the event features live music, local art, food vendors, carnival rides, kids activities, educational resources and more along Cermak Road between Morgan Street and Ashland Avenue. -Metromix Chicago

We Are Hip-Hop Festival            Dvorak Park            Aug 4           

This youth-run festival supports local hip-hop artists in the name of peace and anti-violence.  Live music along with graffiti and break-dance battles set this party off. -Time Out Chicago

Slow and Low Community Lowrider Festival            Cermak & Jefferson            Aug 12                 Drive a little slower to check out more than 40 lowriders from local car clubs at this Pilsen fest. Food, music and an awards ceremony will hopefully get War’s ode to the slow ride out of your head. -Time Out Chicago

River North

Taste of River North            Erie & Kingsbury            July 20-22           

Try food from neighborhood restaurants and bars (food and drink tickets cost $1 each) and browse merchandise from local vendors and galleries while listening to live music at the 11th annual fest. A family area is open daily until 6 p.m. with entertainment and activities for kids. Fest is open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday. -Metromix Chicago

Newberry Library Book Fair and Bughouse Square Debates         Walton & Clark         July 26-29                        

More than 120,000 used paper Kindles will be up for sale at this popular book bonanza. Prices are low, and the selection is vast. The debates, a favorite of this city’s copious rabble-rousers, take place in Washington Square Park, across the street from the Newberry Library on Saturday. The Main Debate begins at 1:30pm. -Time Out Chicago

Clark After Dark Block Party            Hubbard & Clark            Aug 23

Camo not required at this military-themed bash hosted by the United Service Organization of Illinois. Honor troops and their families with a live auction, live music, food and a raffle. -Time Out Chicago

Rogers Park

Igbofest            Warren Park            July 28                                   

Billed as one of the largest African festivals in the U.S., this annual event aims to transform the Rogers Park space into an authentic Igbo village, celebrating traditional arts, culture, heritage, cuisine and community of the ethnic group. Festivities include kids activities, dance troupes, masquerades, a marketplace, book pavilion, wellness workshops and more. -Metromix Chicago

Celebrate Clark Street            Touhy & Clark            July 28-29           

Rogers Park celebrates diversity with two live world-music stages, food from ethnic restaurants and various vendors. -Time Out Chicago

Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest            Farwell & Glenwood            Aug 17-19           

The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (GAAF) is a free, weekend long street fair that features 100 artists and live entertainment on three outdoor stages. -Explore Chicago

Roscoe Village

Roscoe Village Burger Fest            Belmont & Damen            July 21-22           

Whether you prefer veggie, turkey, chicken, barbecue, steak, or ground beef, the third annual fest probably has a patty (or several) with your name on it. Burger vendors include Butcher and the Burger, Burger Philosophy, Cortland's Garage, Goose Island Brewpub, Hamburger Mary's, Jak's Tap, John's Place, Jury's, Rockit Burger Bar, Reggie's Rock Club/Music Joint, Select Cut Steakhouse and Stanley's Kitchen and Tap.  

Live music on two stages includes Rusted Root, Van Ghost, The Freddy Jones Band, Andrew Belle, Liquid Soul and Scott Lucas and The Married Men; kids activities, arts and crafts and drink vendors round it out.  

G

ate donation benefits the Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. -Metromix Chicago

Retro on Roscoe            Roscoe & Damen            Aug 11-12           

Six blocks of antique vendors and three stages for live music fill out the event list. While that’s going on, Four Treys Bar hosts an antique and classic car and motorcycle show, featuring more than 50 automobiles. -Time Out Chicago

Guinness Oyster Fest            Roscoe & Damen            Sept 15-16

The 14th annual end-of-season street party in Roscoe Village pairs raw and cooked oysters with pints of Guinness and other beers. Not in the mood for mollusks? Vendors sell other fest foods and arts and crafts. Live music rounds it out. -Metromix Chicago

South Shore

South Shore Summer Festival            73rd & Stony Island            Aug 18

Soothe the soul with R&B and jazz performances by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the Delfonics, Ray Goodman and Cuba Gooding & the Main Ingredient. The local South Shore Drill Team gets the crowd going. -Time Out Chicago

South Loop

Bash on Wabash            13th & Wabash            Aug 25-26           

The South Loop’s ninth annual bash will feature neighborhood food, live music, games and an expanded kids’ area with inflatables, a craft area, story time, face painters, a balloon person and kids’ fitness sessions. -Time Out Chicago

Festival on Prairie Avenue            18th & Prairie            Sept 8           

The one-time Millionaire’s Row is still rich…in culture. This party includes an arts and craft fair, magic show, pie-eating contest, and free tours of the historic Clarke House and Glessner House museums. -Time Out Chicago

Ukrainian Village

West Fest            Chicago & Damen            July 7-8           

There is something for everyone at West Fest, the Chicago street fair that reflects the eclectic persona of its West Town environs. Held annually on Chicago Avenue at Damen, the two-day party features live cutting edge music booked by Empty Bottle Presents, the BassbythePound DJ Stage, Kid Fest with kid activities and entertainment, Pet Fest with pet product vendors and dog activities for charity, plus a multitude of booths from popular neighborhood restaurants, retailers, and artists. What makes this fest unique is that it’s locally planned and managed by the West Town Chamber of Commerce, thus the emphasis is all-things “local,” from the food to the talent. -RedEye Chicago

Ukrainian Days Festival            Smith Park            Aug 25-26           

Slurp some borscht at this annual celebration of Ukrainian independence that features traditional crafts, music and food. -Time Out Chicago

Ukrainian Village Festival            Superior & Oakley            Sept 8-9

A European-style, neighborhood festival on church grounds features live music, costumed folk dancers, a beer garden, raffle prizes, traditional fare, arts and crafts, games and kids activities. -Metromix Chicago

Uptown

Windy City RibFest in Uptown            Lawrence & Broadway            July 13-15

Get succulent eats from local and national entries at the fourth annual fest, which also features live music from Smash Mouth and Here Come the Mummies, arts and crafts vendors and a kids play area. -Metromix Chicago

West Loop

Pitchfork Music Festival            Union Park            July 13-15           

The annual three-day indie music fest features performances from Vampire Weekend, Feist, Hot Chip and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, plus AraabMUZIK, A$AP Rocky, the Field, Liturgy, Kendrick Lamar, Grimes, Cloud Nothings, Tim Hecker and Willis Earl Beal. -Metromix Chicago

Randolph Street Market Festival            Randolph & Ada            Last Weekend of Every Month

Shop for antiques, vintage collectibles and indie designer apparel from more than 200 dealers along Randolph Street between Ada Street and Ogden Avenue, and also inside the historic -- and air-conditioned -- Plumbers Hall. The ninth annual European-style fair also features food, beer and wine vendors and themed mini-markets offering rare vinyl recordings, global goods and fancy foods such as chocolates, cakes and spices. -Metromix Chicago

North Coast Music Festival            Union Park            Aug 31-Sept 2           

It’s summer’s last dance party, as this third annual fest brings hip-hop, DJs and dance music to Union Park for one last weekend. Pretty Lights, the Rapture, and Big Boi are among the acts set to perform. -Time Out Chicago

West Town

Food Truck Social            TBA            Aug 25-26           

If you came to this super-popular TOC-sponsored festival last year and were turned off by the long lines, don’t fear: This year’s fete accommodates even more trucks, meaning, yes, more yummy food. Empty Bottle Presents books the bands. -Time Out Chicago

Wicker Park

Sound System Block Party            Evergreen & Milwaukee            July 21                    

The Silver Room hosts its tenth annual dancecentric block party, which celebrates art, music and hip-hop fashion. Three stages of music keep this party going. -Time Out Chicago

Wicker Park Fest            North, Milwaukee, & Damen                        July 28           

Expect an array of more than 40 alt-indie music acts on three stages during the ninth annual fest, along with food and drink vendors lining Milwaukee Avenue from North Avenue to Paulina Street, a kids area and lots of general merch and arts and crafts for sale. The music lineup includes Foxy Shazam, Archie Powell, the Kickback, Lucero, Fant Island, Joe Pug, the Drums and Screaming Females will be among the many bands performing. Along with the music, Wicker Park Fest will feature installations from local artists, including a gallery of large-scale inflatable sculptures. -Metromix Chicago

Renegade Craft Fair            Division & Damen            Sept 8-9           

The tenth annual fair is an opportunity for serious crafters from around the country to sell their handmade arts and wares. And for serious shoppers to buy them. Workshops, local food vendors and live music invade Division Street. -Time Out Chicago

Wrigleyville

Wrigleyville Block Party            Addison & Clark            July 27-29           

All that rooting for the Cubbies pays off with a series of gratis street bashes hosted by the team. Hopefully fans can bear loads of beer, live music, games, food and more. -Time Out Chicago

Wrigleyville Summerfest            School & Seminary            Aug 4-5           

Wrigleyville is more than just barhopping and Cubs games. Head to the annual fest for food, live music and a kid zone. -Time Out Chicago

Jump on the L and head downtown for one of the many festivals being held this summer in the Loop.