Summer Festivals for Families in Chicagoland

Fill out your calendar with these kid-friendly festivals featuring arts, food and more fun.

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!

CHICAGO | NORTH/NORTHWEST SUBURBS | SOUTH SUBURBS | WESTERN SUBURBS

Festivals in Chicago

Photo credit: The West town Chamber of Commerce

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit: Historic Downtown Long Grove

 

Long Grove Chocolate Festival

May 19-21, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo Credit: Claire Faberbock

Homewood-Flossmoor Juneteenth Festival

June 17, 2023

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

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

Only 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. this fest features food, entertainment, kids’ play area, polka parade and pierogi eating contest.

Festivals in Western Suburbs

Photo credit: Naperville’s Last Fling

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

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

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. 

This post is updated regularly.


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