Cue The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” Summer may as well be in full swing, and we have more than 140 reason to GTF outside. Three festivals kick off the season this weekend, and what follows is a jam-packed five months bursting at the seams with food, music, art and a lot of outdoor action in nearly every neighborhood. Allow us to be your guide to maximizing your time outside from now through September. From home opener NFL Draft Fest to season closer West Town Art Walk, we hope you’re ready to get fested—sunglasses required, sleeves optional.
NEW THIS YEAR
Ferris Fest
May 20-22, various locations
ferrisfest.com
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of John Hughes’ lovable high school senior’s sick day with a series of events that highlight the film’s characters and city landmarks. Along with two screenings, featuring guest appearances from film stars, in Lake Forest, the weekend includes a sold-out bus tour to filming locations—such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Wrigley Field and Cameron Frye’s glass house—a reproduction of Ferris’ bedroom at the Virgin Hotel (203 N. Wabash Ave.) and a recreation of the “Twist and Shout” parade scene. Ticket prices for remaining events vary.
Reggae Fest Chicago
Aug. 13, Addams/Medill Park
reggaefestchicago.com
Get in the Rasta groove at this celebration of the Jamaican genre. While the lineup, curated by Wicker Park venue Subterranean, has yet to be released, expect two stages of world music subgenres including ska, reggaeton, roots and Spanish reggae and Caribbean dance hall, as well as food trucks and a handmade art market. $45-$75.
Throwback Music Festival
Sept. 9-11, Gladstone Park
chicagoevents.com
Swinging, twisting and mashed potato-ing are just some of the retro dance styles we hope to see at this three-day fest with tunes from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and beyond. Who doesn’t love a good throwback? $5 donation.
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Cider & Sliders
Sept. 3-4, North Mayfair
Cider and sliders go together like sun and fun, cheese and breeze, pie and mai tai (if you don’t see where we’re going with this, don’t overthink it, but “Why not?”). While details for the inaugural fest to be held in the Albany Park-adjacent neighborhood are still being fleshed out, one thing is certain: Booze and tiny burgers are two pretty good reasons to get out to a new neighborhood. $5 donation.
South Loop Beer & Cider Fest
Aug. 6, South Loop
eventbrite.com
Sip brews and ciders from nearly 20 breweries including Arcade Brewery, Wild Blossom Meadery and Motor Row Brewing with more to be announced soon. $15-$79.
Artivals: Hey, South and West Loop art nerds. Two new markets coming near you in May—Handmade Chicago (May 14-15, Plumbers Hall) and May Art Market (May 6-7, Daley Plaza)—will feature handcrafted treasures galore, such as paintings, glass and ceramics, sculptures, photography, jewelry and more. Daley Plaza, home to May Art Market, will also host craft fairs on select Wednesdays starting May 11 through October. Free.
APRIL
NFL Draft Town: April 28-30, Grant Park and Congress Plaza
Chicago Zine Fest: April 29-30, West Loop
Cinco de Mayo Fest: April 29-May 1, Little Village
MAY
Chicago Improv Festival: May 2-8, various locations
Off the Trax Music Fest: May 6-8, Edison Park
May Art Market: May 6-7, Daley Plaza (NEW!)
American Beer Classic: May 7, Soldier Field
Wednesday Art Markets at Daley Plaza: Select Wednesdays May 11 through October, Daley Plaza (NEW!)
Columbia College Manifest: May 13, South Loop
Handmade Chicago: May 14-15, West Loop (NEW!)
Chicago Craft Beer Week: May 19-29, various locations
Mayfest: May 20-22, Lakeview
Ferris Fest: May 20-22, various locations (NEW!)
Lincoln Park Wine Fest: May 21-22, Lincoln Park
Israeli Jazz and World Music Festival: May 26-June 2, various locations
Mole de Mayo: May 27-29, Pilsen
Memorial Day Parade: May 28, The Loop
Welles Park Craft Beer Fest: May 28, Welles Park
Randolph Street Market Outdoor debut: May 28-29, West Loop
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest: May 28-29, Lakeview
Bike the Drive: May 29, Lake Shore Drive
JUNE
Maifest Chicago: June 2-5, Lincoln Square
Pivot Arts Festival: June 2-12, Edgewater, Uptown, Andersonville
Millennium Park Summer Music Series: Select Mondays and Thursdays June 2 through Aug. 25, Millennium Park
Chicago Gospel Music Festival: June 3-4, Millennium Park
Lincoln Park Greek Fest: June 3-5, Lincoln Park
Taste of Little Village: Flavors of Mexico: June 3-5, Little Village
Do Division Street Fest: June 3-5, Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village
57th Street Art Fair: June 4-5, Hyde Park
Wingout Chicago: June 4-5, Old Town
Millennium Art Festival: June 8-10, Loop
Midsommarfest: June 10-12, Andersonville
Chicago Blues Festival: June 10-12, Grant Park
Ribfest Chicago: June 10-12, North Center
Spring Awakening Music Festival: June 10-12, location TBD
Old Town Art Fair: June 11-12, Old Town
Wells Street Art Festival: June 11-12, Old Town
Printers Row Lit Fest: June 11-12, South Loop
Pilsen Food Truck Social: June 11-12, Pilsen
Remix Chicago: June 11-12, Logan Square
Grant Park Music Festival: June 15-Aug. 20, Millennium Park
Fiestas Puertorriquenas (Puerto Rican Festival & Parade): June 16-19, Humboldt Park
Brew to Be Wild: June 17-18, Lincoln Park
Chicago Ale Fest: June 17-18, Grant Park
Oakley Festa Pasta Vino: June 17-19, Lower West Side
Windy City LakeShake: June 17-19, Northerly Island
Taste of Randolph Street: June 17-19, West Loop
6 Corners BBQ Fest: June 18-19, Portage Park
Pride Fest: June 18-19, Lakeview
Green Music Fest: June 18-19, Wicker Park
Gold Coast Art Fair: June 18-19, Gold Coast
Make Music Chicago: June 21, citywide
Dog Dayz of Summer: June 24-25, Humboldt Park
Logan Square Arts Festival: June 24-26, Logan Square
Back Lot Bash: June 24-26, Andersonville
Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party: June 25, University Village
Elston Avenue Sausage & Music Fest: June 25-26, Irving Park
Renegade Chicago Pop-Up: June 25-26, West Town
Pride Parade: June 26, Lakeview
JULY
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International Festival of Life: July 1-4, Union Park
Mamby on the Beach: July 2-3, Oakwood Beach
Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic: July 2-3, Jackson Park
Windy City Ribfest in Uptown: July 1-3, Uptown
Taste of Chicago: July 6-10, Grant Park
Millennium Art Festival: July 8-10, Loop
Irish American Heritage Festival: July 8-10, Mayfair
Ruido Fest: July 8-10, Pilsen
Square Roots Craft Brew & Music Fest: July 8-10, Lincoln Square
West Fest: July 8-10, West Town
Roscoe Village Burger Fest: July 9-10, Roscoe Village
Windy City Smokeout: July 15-17, West Town
Pitchfork Music Festival: July 15-17, Union Park
BenFest: July 15-17, North Center
El Gran Fest Colombiano: July 16-17, Jefferson Park
Southport Art Festival: July 16-17, Lakeview
Celebrate Clark Street Festival: July 16-17, Rogers Park
Artfest Michigan Avenue: July 15-17, River North
Chinatown Summer Fair: July 17, Chinatown
Taste of River North: July 22-24, River North
Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk: July 23-24, Lincoln Park
Chicago Craft Beer Festival: July 23-24, Lincoln Park
Wicker Park Fest: July 23-24, Wicker Park
Taste of Latin America: July 23-24, Humboldt Park
Lollapalooza: July 28-31, Grant Park
Fiesta del Sol: July 28-31, Pilsen
Jeff Fest: July 29-31, Jefferson Park
Margarita Festival: July 30-31, South Shore
AUGUST
Black Harvest Film Festival: Aug. 5-Sept. 1, Gene Siskel Film Center
Chicago Hot Dog Fest: Aug. 5-7, Lincoln Park
South Loop Beer & Cider Fest: Aug. 6, South Loop
Taste of Lincoln Avenue: Aug. 6-7, Lincoln Park
EdgeFest: Aug. 6-7, Edgewater
Wrigleyville Summerfest: Aug. 6-7, Lakeview
Bud Billiken Parade: Aug. 13, Bronzeville
Ginza Holiday Festival: Aug. 12-14, Lincoln Park
Festival Cubano (The Cuban Festival): Aug. 12-14, Riis Park
Retro on Roscoe: Aug. 12-14, Roscoe Village
Reggae Fest Chicago: Aug. 13, Pilsen (NEW!)
Northalsted Market Days: Aug. 13-14, Lakeview
Thai Festival Chicago: Aug. 17-19, Loop
Clark After Dark: Aug. 18, River North
Festa Italiana: Aug. 18-21, Little Village
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest: Aug. 19-21, Rogers Park
Edison Park Fest: Aug. 19-21, Edison Park
Albany Park World Fest: Aug. 20-21, Albany Park
Chicago Air and Water Show: Aug. 20-21, North Avenue Beach
Slow & Low Community Lowrider Festival: Aug. 21, Pilsen
Chicago Dancing Festival: Aug. 23-27, various locations
Taste of Greektown: Aug. 27-28, West Loop
Bucktown Art Fest: Aug. 27-28, Bucktown
Motor Row Craft Beer Fest: Aug. 27-28, South Loop
Chicago Fashion Fest: Aug. 27-28, Wicker Park
Chicago Fringe Festival: Aug. 31-Sept. 11, Jefferson Park
SEPTEMBER
Chicago Jazz Festival: Sept. 1-4, Millennium Park & Chicago Cultural Center
The Great American Lobster Fest: Sept. 2-3, Navy Pier
North Coast Music Festival: Sept. 2-4, Union Park
African Festival of the Arts: Sept. 2-5, Washington Park
Taste of Polonia Festival: Sept. 2-5, Jefferson Park
Cider & Sliders: Sept. 3-4, North Mayfair (NEW!)
Shock Top Oyster Fest: Sept. 10, Roscoe Village
Throwback Music Festival: Sept. 9-11, Gladstone Park (NEW!)
Windy City Wine Festival: Sept. 9-10, Grant Park
Festival de la Villita: Sept. 9-11, Little Village
German American Fest: Sept. 9-11, Lincoln Square
World Music Festival: Sept. 9-25, various locations
Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, Sept. 10-11, Lakeview
Ravenswood Artwalk: Sept. 10-11, Ravenswood
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Ukrainian Village Fest: Sept. 10-11, Ukrainian Village
Renegade Craft Fair: Sept. 10-11, Wicker Park
Venetian Night: Sept. 10, Navy Pier
Riot Fest: Sept. 16-18, Douglas Park
Andersonville City Made: Sept. 17-18, Uptown
West Loop Art Festival: Sept. 17-18, West Loop
Sam Adams’ Lakeview Taco Fest: Sept. 17-18, Lakeview
Goose Island 312 Urban Block Party: Sept. 23-24, Fulton Market
Englewood Jazz Festival: Sept. 17, Hamilton Park
Independence Park Beer Festival: Sept. 17, Irving Park
Expo Chicago: Sept. 22-25, Navy Pier
Bon Appetit’s Chicago Gourmet: Sept. 23-25, Millennium Park
Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus: Sept. 23-25, Lincoln Park
West Town Food Truck Social: Sept. 24-25, West Town
Hyde Park Jazz Festival: Sept. 24-25, Hyde Park
West Town Art Walk: Sept. 30-Oct. 1, West Town
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