Festival season never ends in Chicago. Explore top festivals and events throughout the year, including food fests, legendary music festivals, Pride celebrations, neighborhood street fairs, film fests, and so much more.
Chicago festivals
Discover the best of the city’s fests.
Iconic Chicago events
Mark your calendar for these bucket-list Chicago festivals and events.
Free festivals and events
Enjoy Chicago’s festival season without breaking the bank, thanks to free downtown summer festivals.
- Hear living blues legends at Chicago Blues Festival.
- The Chicago Jazz Festival is one of the largest free jazz festivals in the world.
- Chicago Gospel Music Festival brings soulful choirs from around the country.
- The Chicago House Music Festivalcelebrates the Chicago-born genre.
Plus, find free events in Chicago all year round, like our iconic St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Find free things to do right now
Chicago food festivals
As the long-time host city of the James Beard Awards, Chicago is a city known for its culinary scene and food festivals.
- Taste of Chicago is the city’s signature summer food festival.
- Chicago Gourmet features the city’s top chefs, restaurants, and sommeliers.
- Chicago Restaurant Week showcases hundreds of restaurants around the city offer special menus.
Top music festivals
Chicago’s legendary music scene includes a packed schedule of music festivals:
- Lollapalooza is a bucket-list event for music fans from around the world.
- Sueños is the city’s premier Latin and reggaeton event.
- Riot Fest brings over 100 bands and carnival vibes.
- Enjoy barbecue and top country music acts at Windy City Smokeout.
- The long-running Chosen Few Music Festival feels like a family picnic.
Neighborhood festivals
Chicago is a tapestry of neighborhoods, each with its own unique festivals and events:
- Our iconic Pride Month celebrations that take over the historic Northalsted community.
- Neighborhood music festivals like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Square Roots Festival, Do Division, and more.
- Cultural events fill our global neighborhoods, like Puerto Rican Festival, Fiesta Del Sol, and Chinatown Summer Fair.
Magical holiday events
Experience the magic of winter in Chicago with these signature holiday events:
- The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival brings an evening parade and fireworks display.
- Christkindlmarket is an authentic German holiday market in the heart of downtown.
- Magical holiday light displays, including Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden and ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Upcoming events
Festivals, Fairs & Special Events
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
Millennium Park – Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Aug11
Aug13
Festivals, Fairs & Special Events, Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
The Next Show Comedy Presents: Tavaris Smith
Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Aug13
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