Summer festivals and activities are bustin’ out all over! Here are just some of the fantastic celebrations – all filled with live entertainment, food and drink, kids activities, and more – to add to your summer fun calendar.
July highlights include Roscoe Village Burger Fest, Boulevard Bash, Rock around the Block, West Fest, and Halsted Tastes Better. Also this month: Irish American Heritage Festival, Southside Neighborhood Gospel Festival, and Chinatown’s 10th Annual Dragon Boat Race for Literacy.
Kick off August at Summer on Southport and Lincoln Park Arts Festival. The fun continues at Retro on Roscoe, huge Northalsted Market Days, Wrigleyville Summerfest, and August Fest. Unique August events include the Japanese Ginza Holiday Festival, Pearl Fest, which showcases local artists, Ukrainian Festival, and Taste of Greece.
Bringing along the kiddies? Don't miss Family Adventure Days (previously Family Day Camp). An action-packed day for families, Family Adventure Days are filled with hands-on nature and art activities, along with trips to neighborhood parks and cultural organizations. From fishing to museum tours, three to five families and a tour leader travel via public transportation to explore one of six Chicago neighborhoods — Garfield Park, Pilsen, Lincoln Park, Jackson Park and newly added Bronzeville and Hyde Park.
Family Adventure Days take place on Fridays starting June 25 through August 27, and on Saturday, August 28. For more information, please visit ExploreChicago.org.
This is just a sampling of Chicago’s neighborhood festivals, and they continue right into fall. For a complete lineup, check Time Out Chicago's Summer Festival Guide.
Package any of these festivals with accommodations at a comfortable downtown hotel plus a thrilling sky-high adventure at Willis Tower to make for a great Ledge Experience weekend.