There’s no better way to enjoy summertime in Chicago than by attending its street festivals.
There is no shortage of events happening every month. Whether you’re into outdoor music festivals or looking to discover the next big creator at an art fair, the city has something for you all season long.
Use this list to find both new and familiar festivals, with dates to help you plan or decide what to do last-minute. If you’re planning a full day around it, explore more ideas in the summer activities guide, and find where to go after in my Chicago nightlife guide.
Check back often, as new festivals and updated details are added throughout the season!
Chicago Street Festivals by Month:
May Chicago Festivals
May – October 2026: Chicago Farmers Markets
May 9, 2026: Switch on Summer
May 15 – 17, 2026: Lincoln Park Mayfest
May 16, 2026: Manifest Urban Arts Festival
May 16 – September 5, 2026: Millennium Park Summer Workouts
May 22 – 24, 2026: Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
May 23, 2026: Chicago Memorial Day Parade
May 23 – 24, 2026: Sueños Festival
May 23 – 24, 2026: Forever Mine Festival
May 23 – September 15, 2026: Chicago Summer Fireworks
May 29 – May 31, 2026: Windy City Hot Dog Fest
May 29 – May 31, 2026: Do Division Street Fest
May 30 – May 31, 2026: The Magnificent Mile Art Fest
June Chicago Festivals
June 4 – 7, 2026: Chicago Blues Festival
June 5 – 7, 2026: Lincoln Park Greek Fest
June 5 – 7, 2026: Ribfest Chicago
June 6 – 7, 2026: American Writers Festival
June 6 – 7, 2026: Beyond Wonderland
June 6 – 7, 2026: Annual 57th Street Art Fair
June 10 – August 15, 2026: Grant Park Music Festival
June 11 – 14, 2026: Puerto Rican Fest
June 13 – 14, 2026: Thai Food Festival
June 12 – 14, 2026: Andersonville Midsommarfest
June 12 – 14, 2026: Summer Smash
June 13 – 14, 2026: Old Town Art Fair
June 13 – 14, 2026: Wells Street Art Festival
June 15 – 21, 2026: Black Yacht Weekend
June 15 – August 6, 2026: Millennium Park Summer Music Series
June 19 – 21, 2026: Fiesta Back of the Yards
June 19 – 21, 2026: Taste of Randolph Street
June 20 – 21, 2026: Gold Coast Art Fair
June 20 – 21, 2026: Chicago Margarita Festival
June 20 –21, 2026: Chicago Food Truck Festival
June 20 – 21, 2026: Chicago Pride Fest
June 24, 2026: Flavors of Albany Park
June 26 – 28, 2026: Logan Square Arts Festival
June 26 – 27, 2026: Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest
June 27 – 28, 2026: Millennium Art Festival
June 30 – August 18, 2026: Millennium Park Summer Film Series
July Chicago Festivals
July – August 2026: Chicago SummerDance
July 3 – 5, 2026: African/Caribbean International Festival Of Life
July 8 – 12, 2026: Taste of Chicago
July 8 – 12, 2026: Windy City Smokeout
July 10 – 12, 2026: Square Roots
July 11, 2026: Passport Vibes
July 11, 2026: Chosen Few Picnic & Festival
July 11 – 12, 2026: Southport Art & Music Fest
July 17, 2026: Horner BrewFest
July 17 – 18, 2026: Taste of River North
July 17 – 19, 2026: Roscoe Village Burger Fest
July 17 – 19, 2026: Tacos y Tamales Festival
July 17 – 19, 2026: West Fest
July 17 – 19, 2026: Colombian Fest
July 18, 2026: Sound System Block Party
July 18 – 19, 2026: Ravenswood On Tap
July 18, 2026: Volleywood
July 18, 2026: Jarvis Square Music & Art Festival
July 18, 2026: Summer Wine Fest
July 23 – 26, 2026: Fiesta Del Sol
July 24 – 25, 2026: Chicago Gospel Music Festival
July 24 – 26, 2026: Taste of Lincoln Avenue
July 24 – 26, 2026: Wicker Park Fest
July 25 – 26, 2026: Chinatown Summer Fair
July 26 – 28, 2026: Miche Festival
July 30 – August 2, 2026: Lollapalooza
August Chicago Festivals
August 7 – 9, 2026: Ginza Festival
August 7 – 9, 2026: Northalsted Market Days
August 8, 2026: Bud Billiken Parade
August 13 – 16, 2026: Taylor Street Festival
August 14 – 16, 2026: Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
August 15 – 16, 2026: Chicago Air and Water Show
August 15 – 16, 2026: Pizza City Fest
August 21 – 23, 2026: Lakeview Taco Fest
August 28 – 30, 2026: Edison Park Fest
August 28 – 30, 2026: Taste Of Greektown
August 29 – 30, 2026: Bucktown Arts Fest
August 27 – 30, 2026: Chicago House Music Festival & Conference
September Chicago Festivals
September 3 – 6, 2026: Chicago Jazz Festival
September 4 – 7, 2026: ARC Music Festival
September 4 – 7, 2026: Taste of Polonia
September 11 – 13, 2026: Throwback Music Festival
September 12, 2026: 79th Street Renaissance Festival
September 12 – 13, 2026: Printers Row Lit Fest
September 12 – 13, 2026: El Grito Chicago
September 18 – 19, 2026: Riot Fest & Carnival
September 18 – 20, 2026: Retro On Roscoe
September 19 – 20, 2026: Lakeview East Festival of the Arts
September 19 – 20, 2026: World Dumpling Fest
September 19 – 20, 2026: Chicago Live!
September 24 – 27, 2026: Chicago Gourmet
September 25 – 27, 2026: Oktoberfest Chicago
September 25 – October 4, 2026: World Music Festival Chicago
September 26 – 27, 2026: WingOut Chicago
September 26 – 27, 2026: Hyde Park Jazz Festival
September 28 – 30, 2026: Edgewater Music Festival
October Chicago Festivals
October 2 – 4, 2026: Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
October 9 – 11, 2026: Lincoln Park Wine Festival
October 17 – 18, 2026: Open House Chicago
3 Quick Tips for a Better Chicago Festival Experience
Attending a festival in Chicago is one of the best ways to explore the city. Before you dive into the music, food, and crowds, here are a few quick things to keep in mind:
- Take the CTA – Public transit saves you time, money, and parking headaches.
- Pack light – Just the essentials: phone, charger, water bottle, sunglasses.
- Plan a meetup spot – Especially helpful if your group splits up or your phone dies.
Want the insider approach to doing festivals right? Start with these Expert Tips For Navigating Chicago Street And Neighborhood Festivals.
