This time last year, we shared a list of festivals canceled, postponed, or held online due to the pandemic of 2020. A year later, the city is fully open and in Phase 5 which means fewer restrictions and more reasons to explore the city this summer season and even into the fall.
This list comes at no better time, with July appearing to be the official, unofficially kick-off to summer events and activities in the city. This extensive list of events features new city-sponsored music concerts to classic neighborhood festivals.
Be sure to check back as we continue to update this list with even more event dates and activities as they become available this summer.
Note: Events are subject to change. Be sure to visit the venue or event website for the latest updates and any COVID-19 protocols and safety measurements.
June Festivals and Events
June 1st – November 13th: Chicago City Markets
June 12th – 13th: Old Town Art Festival
June 18th – 20th: Chicago Craft Beer Festival
June 19th: Juneteenth Events and Activities
June 20th: Puerto Rican People Day Parade
July Festivals and Events
Jump to: June | August | September
July 2nd-Aug. 21st: Grant Park Music Festival
July 2nd – 4th: Windy City Ribfest In Uptown
July 3rd: Chosen Few DJs Music Festival & Picnic
July 6th – September 11th: Movies in the Park
July 7th – 11th: Taste of Chicago To-Go
July 8th – 11th: Windy City Smokeout
July 10th: Bastille Day Chicago
July 10th – 11th: Southport Art Fest
July 10th – August 28th: Outdoor Summer Concert Series
July 11th – September 12th: Sundays on State
July 14th – August 25th: Northcenter Summer Concert Series
July 15th: Taco Crawl
July 16th – 18th: Millennium Art Festival
July 16th – 18th: Tacos y Tamales Festival
July 17th: Volleywood Electric Beach
July 17th – 18th: Bucktown Neighborhood & Garden Walk
July 17th – 18th: Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
July 17th -18th: Chinatown Summer Fair
July 23rd – 25th: Lincoln Square Greek Fest
July 23rd – 25th: Wicker Park Fest
July 23rd – October 29th: Chalk Howard Street
July 24th – 25th: Taste of Lincoln Avenue
July 24th – 25th: Colombian Fest
July 25th: Xperience
July 29th – August 1st: Lollapalooza
July 29th – August 1st: Fiesta del Sol
July 30th – August 1st: Jeff Fest
July 31st: Wrigleyville Art Market
August Festivals
Jump to: June | July | September
August 2nd – September 16th: Millennium Park Summer Music Series
August 6th – 8th: Northalsted Market Days
August 6th – 8th: Chicago Michelada Festival
August 6th – 8th: Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets
August 7th: Old Irving Park Beer & BBQ Challenge
August 7th – 8th: Printer’s Row Art Fest
August 12th – 15th: Little Italy Festa Taylor St.
August 13th – 15th: Retro on Roscoe
August 13th – 15th: Edison Park Fest
August 14th: Bud Billiken Parade
August 14th: Wrigleyville Art Market
August 14th: Firefest 2021
August 14th – 15th: Wells Street Art Festival
August 14th – 15th: Thirsty Ears Festival
August 14th – 15th: Pilsen Fest
August 18th – September 15th: Chicago SummerDance
August 19th: Clark After Dark
Aug. 19-Sept. 19: Chicago In Tune
August 20th – 21st: Taste of River North
August 20th – 22nd: Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
August 20th – 22nd: Summer Smash
August 20th – 22nd: Ruido Fest
August 21st – 22nd: Sangria Festival
August 21st – 22nd: U.S. Navy Blue Angels (2021 Air and Water Show)
August 21st – 22nd: Gold Coast Art Fair at Grant Park
August 21st – 22nd: Ukrainian Days Festival
August 27th – 29th: Taste of Greektown
August 27th – 29th: Throwback Music Fest
August 28th – 29th: Edgewater Arts Festival
August 28th – 29th: My House Music Festival
August 29th: PorchFest Roscoe Village
September Festivals and Events
September 3rd: Chicago In Tune: Gospel Music
September 3rd – 5th: NorthCoast Music Festival
September 4th: Chicago in Tune: Jazz Music
September 4th – 5th: Roscoe Village Burger Fest
September 4th – 5th: ARC Music Festival
September 5th: Bike the Drive
September 10th – 12th: Lincoln Park Greek Fest
September 10th – 12th: Pitchfork Music Festival
September 10th – 12th: German American Oktoberfest
September 11th: Chicago In Tune: House Music
September 11th: Chicago Vegandale Food and Drink Fest
September 11th – 12th: African/Caribbean International Festival Of Life
September 11 – 12th: Printers Row Lit Fest
September 11 – 12th: International Festival of Life and Jerk Seafood and Vegan Fest
September 17th – 19th: Riot Fest
September 18th: Chicago In Tune: Blues Music
September 18th – 19th: Artfest Michigan Avenue
September 18th – 19th: West Loop Art Fest
September 18th – 19th: Renegade Craft Fair
September 23rd – 26th: Puerto Rican Festival
September 24th – 26th: Oktoberfest Chicago
September 25th – 26th: Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Know of a festival that didn’t make the list? Share your favorite festivals by emailing us.
