Summer in Chicagoland is filled with excitement, and there’s no better way to kick off the season than by attending some of the area’s most beloved family-friendly festivals.
Whether you’re into thrilling carnival rides, delicious food, vibrant music or celebrating cultural traditions, these events offer something for everyone.
Summer Festivals in Chicagoland
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
May 23-25, 2025
- Address: 3200 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Kick off the beginning of summer with this 40th annual music festival. It features live music from tribute bands, artisans and vendors, food and drinks and more.
Barrington Art Festival
May 24-25, 2025
- Address: S. Cook and E. Station streets, Barrington
- Cost: Free
This fest features over 125 artists in all media including paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more. Live music and youth art activities, too.
Do Division Street Fest
May 30-June 1, 2025
- 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
June 6-8, 2025
- 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.
Ribfest Chicago
June 6-8, 2025
- Address: Lincoln Avenue, between Irving Park Road and Berteau Avenue, 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.
The 77th Annual 57th Street Art Fair
June 7-8, 2025
- Address: 57th Street, Between Woodlawn and Kenwood avenues, Chicago
- Cost: Free
This 77th anniversary with a celebration featuring nearly 200 artists, live music, kids activities and more.
Aurora Pride Parade
June 8, 2025
- Address: Benton Street and S. Broadway, Aurora
- Cost: Free
This annual parade is celebrating its fifth 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 13-14, 2025
- Address: 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
- Cost: $20-plus/adults on Friday only, $30-plus/adults on Saturday only, $45-plus/2-day pass, 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.
Wells Street Art Festival
June 14-15, 2025
- 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 21-22, 2025
- Address: Halsted from Addison to Grace, Chicago
- Cost: $20/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.
Long Grove Strawberry Fest in Historic Downtown Long Grove
June 27-29, 2025
- 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.
Millennium Art Festival
June 28-29, 2025
- Address: 180 N. Stetson Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
This annual festival showcases more than 110 juried artists with an array of original artwork, including paintings, ceramics, photography and furniture.
Navy Pier Pride
June 28, 2025
- 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.
Lincolnshire Art Festival
July 5-6, 2025
- 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.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
July 18-20, 2025
- 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.
Pierogi Fest
July 25-27, 2025
- Address: 119th Street, 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.
Chinatown Summer Fair
July 26-27, 2025
- 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.
Northalsted Market Days
Aug. 8-10, 2025
- Address: 3400 N. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
There will be music on five stages, food, drinks, dance exhibitions, drag performances and over 250 vendors at this annual.
Burr Ridge Art Fair
Aug. 9-10, 2025
- 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.
Taste of Greektown
Aug. 22-24, 2025
- Address: 315 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Contact for details
This annual event returns for its 35th year. It features Greek food, music and entertainment, including Greek bands, artisans and games for both kids and families.
Bulls Fest at United Center
Aug. 23-24, 2025
- Address: 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
The two-day festival will feature a 3-versus-3 basketball tournament, live music, art exhibitions, kid-friendly activities and food and drinks.
Naperville Last Fling
Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2025
- 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.
Taste of Polonia Festival
Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2025
- Address: 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10-plus
Features live music, dance performances, authentic Polish food, carnival rides and games, inflatables, movie screenings, vendors and more.
This article was recently updated on May 16, 2025, by Chicago Parent’s Content Writer Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding new Chicago events as well as updating previous year’s events to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best summer festivals in Chicagoland. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
