Summer in Chicago is when you can really feel the vibrant energy that makes up the city. Sure, you can sense this pulse out on the city’s lakefront, but it’s the festivals that really showcase the best food, music, and art that each neighborhood has to offer.
Every weekend throughout the summer there is something going on, from nationally acclaimed events to casual street fests. Here are the top Chicago summer festivals you shouldn’t miss.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Windy City Smokeout
Country music, BBQ, and craft beer meld together for July’s multiday Windy City Smokeout. Dozens of BBQ pitmasters from famed places around the country set up their smokers and dish out everything from succulent whole hog to fall-off-the-bone ribs and plenty of signature sauces to go around.
Wash that goodness down with suds from different breweries before heading toward the stage to jam out to country music superstars, which in the past has included Grammy Award nominees and winners like Lainey Wilson.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Burger lovers and young families fill the streets of Roscoe Village in July when chefs from local restaurants sling burgers, competing for title of Best Burger.
Kids can run amok at this Burger Fest, with activities like outdoor rock climbing, yoga, jousting, and hoops for the older kids, as well as plenty of crafts for the younger ones.
Favorite ’80s cover band 16 Candles is a frequent performer, with appearances by other bands that’ll make you want to dance in the streets.
Chicago Gourmet
The end of summer brings the mega Chicago Gourmet food festival to Millennium Park, with tastings from some of the best local and national chefs, celebrity chef demos, and plenty of wine pours.
The Grand Cru event showcases the best of wine alongside tastings from a curated group of chefs. Each year the event has a different theme with a ton of ancillary events, including the fan-favorite Hamburger Hop.
Chicago Pride Fest
In June, upwards of 100,000 people flock to Northalsted (also called Boystown) to celebrate the LGBTQ community. The parade gets people dancing in the streets watching the lively floats pass by, but the Chicago Pride Fest doesn’t stop there. Three stages of music, drag shows, and tons of vendors round out one of the most festive weekends of the summer.
Wells Street Art Festival
The main drag of Old Town showcases stellar artists from all over the country displaying everything from photography to jewelry at the Wells Street Art Festival each June.
Local restaurants serve up food, and live acts like the Jesse White Tumblers perform. Around the corner, the Old Town Art Fair always happens on the same weekend, where you can check out more art and a lovely garden walk.
Chicago Blues Festival
Chicagoans know how to sing the blues, and they also know how to throw a great party celebrating the music genre. Every June, the free Chicago Blues Festival fills Millennium Park with great blues artists gracing four stages throughout the park. Since 1984, this event has been a marquee in Chicago’s festival season.
RibFest
For more than 25 years, early June’s RibFest serves up around 50,000 pounds of BBQ in just three days. Attendees salivate over many varieties of ribs and other goodies, all of which are judged by a panel of local celebrities. There’s tons of music to listen to and a kids stage with performers geared toward the youngest fest-goers.
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