With kids out of school and summer heating up, it’s time to fill up your family summer fun list. Take the family out to some of the dozens of festivals Chicagoland is known for.
You’ll find the perfect fit, whether you have a family of art lovers, music devotees or foodies, you’re sure to find something you all will love. Looking for more fairs and fests? Check out the latest events on our calendar.
Looking for more kid-friendly activities? Check out our summer fun family guide!
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Festivals in Chicago
Lincoln Roscoe Spring Art & Craft Fair
May 13-14, 2023
- Address: Lincoln Avenue from Roscoe Street to School Street, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Come shop original art and handmade crafts from 70 artists. Also, live music, art activities for kids, festival food and more.
Switch on Summer at Buckingham Fountain
May 13, 2023
- Address: Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Dr., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate the start of summer in Grant Park at Buckingham Fountain for ComEd’s 9th annual Switch on Summer. This event will feature family-friendly activities, entertainment, local food vendors, fun giveaways and special guest appearances.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
May 27-28, 2023
- Address: 3200 N. Sheffield Ave.., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for prices
This festival, held at the busy Lakeview intersection is teeming with top local tribute bands on the main stage, a second community entertainment stage, food and drinks and other performers.
Do Division Street Fest
June 2-4, 2023
- Address: Division St. from Ashland to Leavitt, Chicago
- Cost: $10 donation
The event features two live music stages, local designer runway shows, DJs, local retail and food vendors and a children’s area with family activities. The kid’s zone (from noon-6 p.m. Saturday) will have a mega slide, petting zoo and musical performers tailored towards kids.
Lincoln Park Greek Fest
June 2-4, 2023
- Address: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield, Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Authentic Greek cuisine, music, dance performances and Greek culture and Hellenic pride are celebrated at this festival outside of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. There will also be a craft fair all weekend.
The 76th Annual 57th Street Art Fair
June 3-4, 2023
- Address: Between Woodlawn and Kenwood Avenues, Hyde Park
- Cost: Free
This fair will mark its 76th anniversary with a celebration featuring nearly 200 artists, live music presented by Buddy Guy’s Legends and a Food Court presented by the Ray School PTA. It’s held on the streets of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood and offers art lovers a fantastic opportunity to view and shop original works of art from around the country.
Windy City Hot Dog Fest
June 3-5, 2022
- Address: 4000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
This hot dog festival will have live music, kid’s activities, arts and craft vendors and of course tons of hot dogs.
Andersonville Midsommarfest
June 9-11, 2023
- Address: 5217 North Clark, Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Experience the Swedish celebration of the Andersonville Midsommarfest. Dance around the Maypole, test flavorful international food and enjoy live music, plus family friendly activities include a pet parade and face painting.
Wells Street Art Festival
June 10-11, 2023
- Address: Wells Street between North Avenue and Division Street, Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
There will be 200 juried artists from both the region and across the nation. Other weekend highlights include the tasty cuisine from local restaurants, music stage acts and kids’ art activities.
Chicago Pride Fest
June 17-18, 2023
- Address: Halsted from Addison to Grace, Chicago
- Cost: $15/suggested donation
The festival features live music by popular artists, three stages, food and drink, more than 150 vendors, drag shows, pet parade, giveaways, games and more.
Gold Coast Art Fair
June 17-18, 2023
- Address: Grant Park’s Butler Field, 337 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $10/admission, free/ages 12 and under
The fair returns and welcomes 200 juried artists from across the country for its 65th year. Purchase jewelry, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media and more. There will be live music stages in various locations along with food, beer, wine and sangria.
Logan Square Arts Festival
June 23-25, 2023
- Address: Logan Square Monument Park, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free; suggested donation at the gate
The Logan Square Arts Festival features art installations across the neighborhood, great local music, craft beer, food from neighborhood restaurants and family fun.
Navy Pier Pride
June 24, 2023
- Address: 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families with kids of all ages can enjoy this family-friendly event that spreads pier-wide. There will be a variety of performances all day long. Experience music, dance, storytelling and other activities.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
July 7-9, 2023
- Address: 2000 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Come out to this festival to try and vote for Chicago’s Best Burger. In addition to food, there will be music, arts/crafts and a “Kids’ Zone” for children and families to enjoy.
Millennium Art Festival
July 14-16, 2023
- Address: Lake Street at Michigan Avenue, Chicago
- Cost: Free
The three-day festival showcases more than 120 juried artists with an array of original artwork, including paintings, ceramics, photography and furniture.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
July 21-23, 2023
- Address: 2500 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/entry at the gate
Enjoy a main stage with local and regional entertainment, food, arts and crafts and more.
Chinatown Summer Fair
July 29-30, 2023
- Address: Chinatown, Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy Asian performances, arts & crafts, street vendors, children’s area, breakdancing competition, Kung Fu demos and more.
Jeff Fest
Aug. 4-6, 2023
- Address: Jefferson Park, 4822 N. Long Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
This annual fest, also known as the Jefferson Park Arts and Music Festival, offers food, music and a kids zone with fun, family activities.
Retro on Roscoe
Aug. 11-13, 2023
- Address: Roscoe Village, 2000 W. Roscoe St., Chicago
- Cost: $15/suggested donation
There will be live music on three stages, antique vendors and merchants and a family area. The family area features inflatables, face painting, balloon artists, rides, crafts and more.
Northalsted Market Days
Aug. 12-13, 2023
- Address: 3400 N. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
There will be music on five stages, food, drinks, arts and crafts, DJ’s and over 200 unique vendors at this annual.
Ribfest Chicago
Aug. 18-20, 2023
- Address: 4000 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation for individuals, $20/suggested donation for families
Enjoy ribs and other food and listen to bands while the kids hang out at “Kids Square” featuring entertainment, inflatables and games.
Bulls Fest
Aug. 19-20, 2023
- Address: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
The two-day festival will feature a 3v3 basketball tournament, live music, art exhibitions, kid-friendly activities and food and drinks.
Taste of Greektown
Aug. 25-27, 2023
- Address: 315 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
This annual event returns for its 33rd year. It features Greek food, music and entertainment, including Greek bands, artisans and games for both kids and families.
Taste of Polonia Festival
Sept. 1-4, 2023
- Address: 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10-$15/general admission
Features music on three stages, authentic Polish food, arts and crafts, games, movie screenings, casino, face painting, balloons and more.
West Loop Art Fest
Sept. 2-3, 2023
- Address: W. Fulton St. and N. Sangamon St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy four blocks of art in all different mediums as talented artists showcase and sell creative work. Plus, enjoy interactive art, live music, children’s crafts and more.
Festivals in North/Northwest Suburbs
Long Grove Chocolate Festival
May 19-21, 2023
- Address: Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
- Cost: $5/day, $10/three days, free/ages 12 and under with purchasing adult
The fest is known for its chocolate dipped treats like strawberries, donuts, cupcakes, cake pops, truffles, croissants, eclairs, funnel cakes and more. There will also be tons of live entertainment on multiple stages throughout the town.
Art in the Park
May 20-21, 2023
- Address: Northbrook Village Green Park, 1810 Walters Ave., Northbrook
- Cost: Free
Come out to Northbrook Village Green Park to see more than 80 artists showing paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and more. The event features live music in the gazebo, youth art activities and festival food.
Barrington Art Festival
May 27-28, 2023
- Address: S. Cook St. & E. Station St., Barrington
- Cost: Free
This fest features 130 artists in all media including paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more. Live music and youth art activities, too.
Long Grove Strawberry Fest
June 23-25, 2023
- Address: Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
- Cost: $5/person, free/kids 6 and under
Attendees of the annual festival will experience everything from strawberry-infused food and drinks, live music and family entertainment.
Glencoe Festival of Art
July 22-23, 2023
- Address: 700 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
- Cost: Free
More than 90 juried artists from across the country will showcase their work in a variety of different mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry and wood. There will also be live music, food and activities for kids.
Lincolnwood Fest
July 27-30, 2023
- Address: Henry A. Proesel Park, 6915 Kostner Ave., Lincolnwood
- Cost: Contact for details
This fest features live music, carnival rides, games, bingo, classic car show, arts and crafts and more.
Art at the Glen
July 29-30, 2023
- Address: The Glen Town Center, 2030 Tower Drive, Glenview
- Cost: Free
See the art of more than 140 juried artists from across the country. Artists will be available at their booths to give demonstrations and one-on-one conversations about their artistic processes.
DOGwood Day
Aug. 6, 2023
- Address: Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville
- Cost: Free for visitors and dogs
Enjoy one day of puppy love at this annual every for you and your doggie at Lambs Farm.
Lincolnshire Art Festival
Aug. 12-13, 2023
- Address: 100 Village Green, Lincolnshire
- Cost: Free
This festival showcases the work of more than 80 juried artists from around the world in a variety of mediums. There’s also live music, a selection of beers, festival food and more.
Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival
Aug. 18-20, 2023
- Address: 800 Church St., Evanston
- Cost: Free
Shop the works of art from over 130 juried artists from around the country at their ninth annual art fest.
Little Bear Ribfest
Aug. 18-19, 2023
- Address: Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills
- Cost: $5/entry fee, free/ages 5 and under
The entertainment will be awarding winning blues artists. Bring your own lawn chairs to set up by the lake to listen to music. Multiple restaurants will be selling ribs and side dishes. Beverages for sale will include beer, wine, bourbon and soda.
Port Clinton Art Festival
Aug. 26-27, 2023
- Address: 600 Central Ave., Highland Park
- Cost: Free
This annual festival is celebrating its 40th year. It offers fine art from more than 260 of the world’s most celebrated artists.
Festivals in South Suburbs
Homewood-Flossmoor Juneteenth Festival
June 17, 2023
- Address: Homewood-Flossmoor High School South Parking Lot, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor
- Cost: Free
The HF Juneteenth Festival is a celebration of African American culture as expressed through food, music, dance and arts.
Burr Ridge Art Fair
June 24-25, 2023
- Address: 701 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge
- Cost: Free
Artisans and makers will be showing and selling items from art to food, clothing to lotions, stationary to furniture, and candles to home decor. Also enjoy food vendors and live music.
Pierogi Fest
July 28-30, 2023
- Address: 119th St., Whiting, Indiana
- Cost: Free; fees for food
Only 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. this fest features food, entertainment, kids’ play area, polka parade and pierogi eating contest.
Festivals in Western Suburbs
Highland Games & Scottish Festival
June 16-17, 2023
- Address: Hamilton Lakes, Park Blvd. & Pierce Road, Itasca
- Cost: $20/plus/adults on Friday, $30-plus/adults on Saturday, free/kids 12 and under; $5-$8/parking
This annual festival is celebrating its 37th year and will feature an extravaganza of activities and attractions – from the Celtic rock stage to Highland Dancing to the Dogs of Scotland.
Lemont Food Truck Festival
July 1, 2023
- Address: The Forge Adventure Park & Ziplines, 1001 Main St., Lemont
- Cost: $5-$15, free/kids 10 and under with a paying adult
This fest features more than 15 of the region’s best food trucks, live music, a beer garden and local business vendors. Plus, all the fun activities that The Forge offers like climbing adventure, archery, laser tag and axe throwing.
Festa Italiana
Aug. 4-6, 2023
- Address: Naperville Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
- Cost: Contact for details
Families can enjoy live Italian and rock music, shopping, meatball eating contest, Italian food, and kid’s activities and rides.
Naperville Last Fling
Sept. 1-4, 2023
- Address: 100 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville
- Cost: Free admission; fees for activities
Celebrate the end of summer at this Labor Day festival. It includes an entertainment stage, food vendors, business expo vendors, family activities, parade and carnival.
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