2021 Festivals, Events, and Concerts to Check Out in Chicago

Roscoe Village Burger Festival

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
Attendees at Columbian Fest/ El Gran Festival Colombiano // Image Facebook

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

Noura Mint Seymali and Jupiter & Okwess perform at the Pritzker Pavilon on the last night of the 2019 Millennium Park Summer Music Series, August 2019.

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

Jump to: June | July | August

Hyde Park Brew Fest now Hyde Park Summer Festival Chicago festivals The Haute Seeker
Crowd of Hyde Park Brew Fest(2019) now Hyde Park Summer Festival // Image by Taylor Justin

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.

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