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!
Summer Festivals Near Me in Chicago
Find even more summer festivals in Chicago on our calendar.
Switch on Summer at Buckingham Fountain
May 11, 2024
- Address: Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Dr., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate the start of summer in Grant Park at Buckingham Fountain for ComEd’s 10th annual Switch on Summer. This event will feature family-friendly activities, entertainment, local food vendors, fun giveaways and special guest appearances.
Lincoln Roscoe Spring Art & Craft Fair
May 18-19, 2024
- Address: Lincoln Avenue from Roscoe Street to School Street, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Come shop original art and handmade crafts from 75 juried artists. Also, live music, art activities for kids, festival food and more.
Do Division Street Fest
May 31-June 2, 2024
- Address: Division St. between Damen and Leavitt, Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
The event features two live music stages, local designer runway shows and a children’s area with family activities. This kid’s activities include a petting zoo, mega slide and kid-friendly musical performances.
Lincoln Park Greek Fest at St. George Greek Orthodox Church
May 31-June 2, 2024
- Address: 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 77th Annual 57th Street Art Fair
June 1-2, 2024
- Address: 57th Street, Between Woodlawn and Kenwood Avenues, Chicago
- Cost: Free
The 57th Street Art Fair, the Midwest’s oldest juried art fair, will mark its 77th anniversary with a celebration featuring nearly 200 artists, live music presented by Buddy Guy’s Legends, kids activities and more.
Wells Street Art Festival
June 8-9, 2024
- 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.
Ribfest Chicago
June 14-16, 2024
- Address: 4000 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Enjoy ribs and other food and listen to bands while the kids hang out at “Kids Square” featuring entertainment, inflatables and games.
Chicago Pride Fest
June 22-23, 2024
- Address: Halsted from Addison to Grace, Chicago
- Cost: $15/suggested donation
The festival features live music on three stages, a Youth Pride Space for teens, more than 150 vendors, drag shows, pet parade, dance exhibitions and more.
Logan Square Arts Festival at Logan Square Monument Park
June 28-30, 2024
- Address: 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.
Millennium Art Festival
June 28-30, 2024
- Address: Lake Street at Michigan Avenue, Chicago
- Cost: Free
The three-day festival showcases more than 110 juried artists with an array of original artwork, including paintings, ceramics, photography and furniture.
Navy Pier Pride
June 29, 2024
- 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 19-21, 2024
- 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.
Chinatown Summer Fair
July 27-28, 2024
- 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.
Retro on Roscoe at Roscoe Village
Aug. 9-11, 2024
- Address: 2000 W. Roscoe St., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
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. 10-11, 2024
- Address: 3400 N. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
There will be music on five stages, food, drinks, dance exhibitions, a drag performances and over 250 vendors at this annual.
Taste of Polonia Festival
Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2024
- Address: 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10-plus
Features live music, authentic Polish food, carnival rides and games, inflatables, casino, vendors, face painting, a climbing wall and more.
West Loop Art Fest
Aug, 31-Sept. 1, 2024
- Address: 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.
Taste of Greektown
Sept. 6-8, 2024
- Address: 315 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
This annual event returns for its 34th year. It features Greek food, music and entertainment, including Greek bands, artisans and games for both kids and families.
Summer Festivals Near Me in the North/Northwest Suburbs
Find even more summer festivals in the North/Northwestern Suburbs on our calendar.
Art in the Park at Northbrook Village Green Park
May 11-12, 2024
- Address: 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.
Long Grove Chocolate Festival at Historic Downtown Long Grove
May 17-19, 2024
- Address: 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
- Cost: $5/day, $10/three day pass
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, family activities, chocolate vendors and chocolate experiences.
Barrington Art Festival
May 25-26, 2024
- Address: Cook and E. Station streets, Barrington
- Cost: Free
This fest features 125 artists in all media including paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more. Live music and youth art activities, too.
Long Grove Strawberry Fest in Historic Downtown Long Grove
June 21-23, 2024
- Address: 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
- Cost: Ticket prices coming soon
Attendees of the annual festival will experience everything from strawberry-infused food and drinks, live music and family entertainment.
Lincolnshire Art Festival
July 6-7, 2024
- 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, a kids art zone and more.
Glencoe Festival of Art
July 20-21, 2024
- Address: 700 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
- Cost: Free
110 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 at Henry A. Proesel Park
July 25-28, 2024
- Address: 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 at The Glen Town Center
July 27-28, 2024
- Address: 2030 Tower Drive, Glenview
- Cost: Free
See the art of 130 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 at Lambs Farm
Aug. 4, 2024
- Address: 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville
- Cost: Free for visitors and dogs
Enjoy one day of puppy love at this annual event for you and your doggie at Lambs Farm.
Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival
Aug. 16-18, 2024
- Address: 800 Church St., Evanston
- Cost: Free
Shop the works of art from 150 juried artists from around the country at their annual art fest. There will also be selfie stations, face painting, a kids art zone, live music, food trucks and more.
Port Clinton Art Festival
Aug. 24-25, 2024
- Address: 600 Central Ave., Highland Park
- Cost: Free
This annual festival is celebrating its 41st year. It offers fine art from more than 260 of the world’s most celebrated artists.
Summer Festivals Near Me in the South Suburbs
Find even more summer festivals in the South Suburbs on our calendar.
Kite Festival at Heritage Park
May 11, 2024
- Address: 14240 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a day in the park and watch a giant kite demonstration. Personal kite flying is encouraged. There will be food trucks available for purchase.
Burr Ridge Art Fair
June 8-9, 2024
- 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.
Homewood-Flossmoor Juneteenth Festival
June 15, 2024
- Address: Homewood-Flossmoor High School South Parking Lot, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor
- Cost: Free
The HF Juneteenth Festival is a celebration of Black culture as expressed through food, music, dance and arts.
Pierogi Fest
July 26-28, 2024
- 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.
Summer Festivals Near Me in the Western Suburbs
Find even more summer festivals in the Western Suburbs on our calendar.
Aurora Pride Parade
June 9, 2024
- Address: Benton Street and S. Broadway, Aurora
- Cost: Free
This annual parade is celebrating its fourth year. It begins at E. Benton Street and Broadway and travels northeast to Downer, then left on Downer to end at N. Middle Avenue.
Highland Games & Scottish Festival at DuPage County Fairgrounds
June 14-15, 2024
- Address: 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
- Cost: $20-plus/adults on Friday only, $30-plus/adults on Saturday only, $45-plus/adults on Saturday and Sunday, free/kids 12 and under; free parking
This annual festival is celebrating its 38th year and will feature an extravaganza of activities and attractions – from the Celtic rock stage to Highland Dancing to the Dogs of Scotland.
Festa Italiana
Aug. 2-4, 2024
- Address: 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
- Cost: $5/residents on Saturday and Sunday before 5 p.m., $10/general admission
Families can enjoy live Italian and rock music, pasta making class, shopping, meatball eating contest, Italian food and kid’s activities and rides.
Naperville Last Fling
Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2024
- 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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