While September’s weekends are packed with festivals, this one is particularly busy—and not just with Riot Fest. Scope 10 more on the bill. If you’re hungry for some culture, head to German-American Fest, Festival de La Villita in Little Village, Ukrainian Village Fest or catch a World Music Fest performance at various venues across the city. Thirsty? Grab a beverage at the Windy City Wine Festival or Logan Square Beer Festival. Lakeview East Festival of the Arts and Andersonville City Made Fest are ideal for the arts-and-crafts types. See a boat parade at Venetian Night at Navy Pier, or fill up on bivalves at Shock Top Oyster Fest in Roscoe Village.
When: 4:30–10 p.m. Friday and 2:30–8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Buckingham Fountain
How much: $35 in advance, $45 at the door and $15 for designated drivers. Tickets: windycitywinefestival.com
The skinny: Sample wines from a selection of more than 300 from vendors such as The Naked Grape, St. James Winery and Bogle Vineyards. Tickets include a souvenir glass, 12 tastings, seminars and a pint of beer. Catch live music from Sons of Bildor (4:45 p.m. Friday and 2:45 p.m. Saturday) and Shag (7:30 p.m. Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday).
When: 5–11 p.m. Friday, noon–11 p.m. Saturday and noon–10 p.m. Sunday
Where: Lincoln, Western and Leland avenues
How much: Free
The skinny: Chow down on authentic German fare from brats and thuringer sausages to sauerkraut and potato salad. Watch traditional song and dance on two stages, and catch the beer tapping at 7:30 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, catch native costumes, marching bands and floats in the 50th Von Steuben Day Parade, in honor of Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian-born general in the Revolutionary War (2 p.m. stepping off from Irving Park Road and Lincoln Avenue).
When: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, Friday through Sunday
Where: Douglas Park
How much: One-day general admission: $74.98, three-day general admission: $189.98. Tickets: riotfest.org/chicago/tickets
The skinny: Mosh into a sound cloud of nostalgia at this music fest with all the punk, rock, alternative, metal and hip-hop. This year’s highlighted acts include No Doubt, System of a Down, Modest Mouse, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Iggy Pop and more.
When: 6–10 p.m. Friday, 2–10 p.m. Saturday and 2–10 p.m. Sunday
Where: 26th Street and Kostner Avenue
How much: Free
The skinny: Celebrate Mexico’s independence day (Sept. 16) with food, about 100 arts and crafts vendors and live music at this fest in its 26th year. See performances by Grupo Herencia Guerrerense (8 p.m. Friday), Los Viejones (8 p.m. Saturday), Los Yumas de Zacatecas (9 p.m. Sunday) and others. Catch the Mexican Independence Day Parade at noon Sunday.
When: Sept. 11-22, various times
Where: Various venues throughout the city
How much: Free
The skinny: Through Sept. 22, catch dozens of artists from more than 20 countries with music from around the globe. On Friday, see Planeta Azul drop Brazilian beats in Grant Park (7:30 p.m., 601 S. Michigan Ave.). Hailu Mergia and Ester Rada take the stage with Ethiopian jazz at The Promontory on Saturday (8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 312-801-2100). On Sunday, hear Malian desert rockers Terakaft and locals Tangleweed at Martyrs’ (8 p.m. 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-404-9494).
When: 1–4 p.m. and 5–8 p.m. Saturday
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Where: Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N. Kedzie Ave.)
How much: $47.50 per session. Tickets: logansquarebeerfestival.com
The skinny: Taste barrel-aged, seasonal and collaboration brews from 20 breweries, such as Graveyard Shift coffee pale ale from Arcade Brewery in collaboration with Dark Matter Coffee, Solemn Oath Brewery’s Full Mallow Jacket double stout aged in Heaven Hill distilleries bourbon barrels, and Moody Tongue Brewing Co.’s Sliced Nectarine IPA.
Lakeview East Festival of the Arts
When: 6–10 p.m. Friday (preview concert), 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday (music until 10 p.m.) and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday (music until 7 p.m.)
Where: Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Hawthorne Place
How much: $5 suggested donation (no suggested donation for Friday preview)
The skinny: Browse art by about 150 artists from across the nation, including fiber artist Sara Hoffland with funky knit and crocheted handbags and other items, mixed-media artist Barbara Sistak Baur with metal assemblages inspired by old license plates and Kevin Hallman’s avant-garde accessories made by recycled fabrics. Also take advantage of live music on two stages and cooking demos.
When: Noon–9 p.m. Saturday and noon–7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Clark Street between Argyle Street and Carmen Avenue
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: The third annual fest showcases local craft beer, music and artists. Peruse the artisan marketplace with food, pet accessories, jewelry, clothes, art, music and gifts. Also catch live music, including alt-rockers Eleventh Dream Day (7:45 p.m. Saturday) and soul singer Carla Prather & Company (5:40 p.m. Sunday).
When: 1–10 p.m Saturday and Sunday
Where: Superior Street between Oakley Boulevard and Leavitt Street
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: Fill up on traditional eats and catch dance ensembles and musicians—both local and international—including special guests performing each evening Natalka Karpa and brothers Dmytro and Nazariy Yaremchuk.
When: 5–10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Damen Avenue and Roscoe Street
How much: $7 suggested donation
The skinny: Celebrate 17 years of oyster slurping with Shock Top Brewing Co. beers and live music in Roscoe Village. This year’s Louisiana flare brings together artists such as Hurricane Gumbo jam band (7:45 p.m. Friday, Damen Stage) and accordionist Buckwheat Zydeco (8:30 p.m. Saturday, Leavitt Stage).
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday parade kick-off
Where: Navy Pier
How much: Free
The skinny: See more than 15 decorated boats in this “Once Upon a Time” themed aquatic parade. Stay for the fireworks and live music at the Landshark Beer Garden.
Fest survival tip 18
Bring a disposable camera. Whether you’re hitting up Riot Fest or a small street party, document your weekend the old-school way. Some drug stores still sell and develop disposable film cameras, and you won’t drain your phone battery with the nostalgic point-and-shoot.
#ChiFestQuest
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