Every month is festival month in Chicago. Chicago’s world-renowned fests and events celebrate food, music, culture, art, and history throughout the city. Check out the festival guides below or click on a month to see what’s coming up. Here’s our festival guide for 2019 – 2020.
Search festivals by month:
January • February • March • April
May • June • July • August • September
October • November • December
September
Chicago Jazz Festival Aug. 23 – September 1, 2019
North Coast Music Festival Aug. 30 – September 1, 2019
Great American Lobster Fest Aug. 30 – September 1, 2019
Taste of Polonia Aug. 30 – September 2, 2019
African Festival of the Arts Aug. 30 – September 2, 2019
Throwback Music Festival Sept. 6 – 8, 2019
Festival De La Villita (Little Village Fest) Sept. 6 – 8, 2019
Donut Fest at the Zoo Sept. 8, 2018
World Music Festival Chicago Sept. 13 – 29, 2019
Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Fest Sept. 14 – 15, 2019
Lakeview East Festival of the Arts Sept. 14 – 15, 2019
Ravenswood Artwalk Sept. 14 – 15, 2019
Riot Fest & Carnival Sept. 13 – 15, 2019
Friday Night Flights at Chicago Riverwalk Sept. 13, 2019
Andersonville Arts Week Sept. 19 – 22, 2019
Sam Adams’ Lakeview Taco Fest Sept. 21 – 22, 2019
Chicago Architecture Biennial Sept. 19, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Expo Chicago Sept. 19 – 22, 2019
Chicago Gourmet Sept. 27 – 29, 2019
Oktoberfest Chicago At St. Alphonsus Sept. 27 – 29, 2019
Randolph Street Market Festival Sept. 26 – 29, 2019
Beerhoptacular Sept. 28, 2019
World Dumpling Fest Sept. 29, 2019
Inherit Chicago Sept. 29 – Nov. 1, 2019
Chicago International Latino Theater Festival Sept. 19 – Oct. 27, 2019
October
Chicago International Latino Theater Festival Sept. 19 – Oct. 27, 2019
Inherit Chicago Sept. 29 – Nov. 1, 2019
Chicago Architecture Biennial Sept. 19, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Lincoln Square Apple Fest Oct. 5 – 6, 2019
Historic Pullman House Tour Oct 12 – 13, 2019
Chicago Marathon Oct. 13, 2019
Columbus Day Parade Oct. 14, 2019
Chicago International Film Festival Oct. 16 – 27, 2019
Open House Chicago Oct. 19 – 20, 2019
Arts In The Dark Oct. 19, 2019
Randolph Street Market Festival Oct. 26 – 27, 2019
Northalsted Halloween Parade Oct. 31, 2019
Latino Music Festival Oct. 17 – Nov. 18, 2019
November
Inherit Chicago Sept. 29 – Nov. 1, 2019
Sofa Art + Design Fair Oct. 31 – Nov. 3, 2019
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Nov. 22 – 23, 2019
Randolph Street Holiday Market Nov. 23 – 24, 2019
Festival of Barrel Aged Beers TBD 2019
Christkindlmarket Chicago TBD 2019
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony In Millennium Park TBD 2019
Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo Nov. 23 – Jan. 6, 2019
Thanksgiving Parade Nov. 28, 2019
Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier Nov. 30, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
Chicago Architecture Biennial Sept. 19, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
December
One of a Kind Show and Sale Dec. 5 – 8, 2019
Randolph Street Holiday Market Dec. 14 – 15, 2019
Historic Pullman Candlelight House Walk Dec. 8, 2019
Christkindlmarket Chicago TBD 2019
Chicago Wine Fest – Winter Dec. 19, 2019
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier Dec. 31, 2019
Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier TBD 2019
Chicago Architecture Biennial Sept. 19, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
January
Mccormick Tribune ice skating rink in Millennium Park through March 2019, weather permitting
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival TBD 2020
Fillet of Solo Festival Jan. 10 – 26, 2020
Rhinoceros Theater Festival TBD 2020
Cubs Convention Jan. 17 – 29, 2020
Soxfest Jan. 24 – 25, 2020
First Bites Bash TBD 2020
Chicago Restaurant Week TBD 2020
Winter Brew TBD 2020
February
Mccormick Tribune ice skating rink in Millennium Park through March 2019, weather permitting
Chicago Ale Fest BD 2020
Chicago Chinese New Year Celebration TBD 2020
Chicago Restaurant Week TBD 2020
Chicago Theatre Week TBD 2020
University of Chicago Folk Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Auto Show Feb. 8 – 17, 2020
Pitchfork Midwinter at the Art Institute Of Chicago February TBD 2020
Chicago Flamenco Festival TBD 2020
Frost Fest Craft Beer Festival TBD 2020
Randolph Street Market Festival TBD 2020
Rhinoceros Theater Festival TBD 2020
Dark Side Beer Festival TBD 2020
C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo Feb. 28 – March 1, 2020
March
Mccormick Tribune ice skating rink in Millennium Park through March 2019, weather permitting
C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo Feb. 28 – March 1, 2020
Chicago Flamenco Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Beer Festival TBD 2020
Southside Irish Parade March 14, 2020
Northwest Side Irish Parade March 14, 2020
Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier March 20 – 24, 2019
St. Patrick’S Day Downtown Parade & River Dyeing TBD 2020
Good Food Festival TBD 2020
My House Music Festival: Spring Edition TBD 2020
Randolph Street Market Festival TBD 2020
Macy’s Flower Show TBD 2020
Chicago White Sox Opening Day at Guaranteed Rate Field March 26, 2020
Chicago Cubs Opening Day at Wrigley Field March 30, 2020
April
Chicago Dance Month April 1 – 30, 2019
Baconfest Chicago TBD 2020
Macy’S Flower Show TBD 2020
Taste of Iceland TBD 2020
I Heart Halal TBD 2020
One of a Kind Show and Sale | Spring Show April 24 – 26, 2020
Chicago Wine Fest – Spring TBD 2020
Randolph Street Market Festival TBD 2020
James Beard Eats Week TBD 2020
May
Chicago Kids and Kites Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Beer Classic TBD 2020
Pilsen Fest Cantina Crawl TBD 2020
James Beard Eats Week TBD 2020
James Beard Foundation Awards May 6, 2019
Manifest Urban Arts Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Zine Fest TBD 2020
Mayfest TBD 2020
Chicago Science Fest TBD 2020
Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk TBD 2020
Lincoln Park Wine Festival TBD 2020
Mole De Mayo TBD 2020
Chicago House Music Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Memorial Day Parade May 23, 2020
Randolph Street Market Festival TBD 2020
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest TBD 2020
Bike The Drive TBD 2020
Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Memorial Day through Labor Day
Illinois Craft Beer Week TBD 2020
Chicago Gospel Music Festival TBD 2020
Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale TBD 2020
Lincoln Park Greek Fest TBD 2020
Taste Of Mexico In Little Village TBD 2020
June
Millennium Park Music Series Select Mondays & Thursdays, TBD 2020
Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Memorial Day through Labor Day
Lincoln Park Greek Fest TBD 2020
Taste Of Mexico In Little Village TBD 2020
Chicago Gospel Music Festival TBD 2020
Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale TBD 2020
57th Street Art Fair TBD 2020
Hyde Park Brew Fest TBD 2020
Chicago Underground Film Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Blues Festival TBD 2020
Andersonville Midsommarfest TBD 2020
Wells Street Art Festival TBD 2020
Printers Row Lit Fest TBD 2020
Grant Park Music Festival TBD 2020
Cinepocalypse TBD 2020
Craft Brews At Lincoln Park Zoo TBD 2020
Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest TBD 2020
Ribfest Chicago TBD 2020
World’s Largest Block Party TBD 2020
Ruido Fest TBD 2020
Craft Beer Festival at The Morton Arboretum TBD 2020
Ravenswood On Tap TBD 2020
Pride Fest Chicago TBD 2020
Fountain Square Artisan Summerfest TBD 2020
Millennium Art Festival TBD 2020
Pride In The Park TBD 2020
Randolph Street Market Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Pride Parade June 28, 2020
Chicago Summerdance TBD 2020
July
Millennium Park Music Series Select Mondays & Thursdays, TBD 2020
Grant Park Music Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Summerdance TBD 2020
Fourth Of July Fireworks At Navy Pier July 4, 2020
Windy City Ribfest In Uptown TBD 2020
African/Caribbean International Festival Of Life TBD 2020
West Fest TBD 2020
Chosen Few Djs Picnic & Music Festival TBD 2020
Taste of Chicago TBD 2020
Square Roots Craft Brew & Music Festival TBD 2020
Irish American Heritage Festival TBD 2020
Windy City Smokeout TBD 2020
Bastille Day Chicago TBD 2020
Outside Experience TBD 2020
Southport Art & Music Fest TBD 2020
Roscoe Village Burger Fest TBD 2020
Dearborn Garden Walk TBD 2020
Rhythm World TBD 2020
Pitchfork Music Festival TBD 2020
Taste of River North TBD 2020
Sheffield Street Fest TBD 2020
Chalk Howard Street TBD 2020
Artfest Michigan Avenue TBD 2020
Chicago Craft Beer Festival TBD 2020
Chinatown Summer Fair TBD 2020
Summer Wine Fest At Lincoln Park Zoo TBD 2020
Wicker Park Fest TBD 2020
National Taco Championship TBD 2020
Lincoln Square Greek Fest TBD 2020
Randolph Street Market Festival TBD 2020
Taste Of Lincoln Avenue TBD 2020
Chicago Margarita Festival TBD 2020
Fiesta Del Sol TBD 2020
Lollapalooza July 30 – Aug. 2, 2020
August
Chicago Jazz Festival Aug. 23 – September 1, 2019
North Coast Music Festival Aug. 30 – September 1, 2019
Great American Lobster Fest Aug. 30 – September 1, 2019
Taste of Polonia Aug. 30 – September 2, 2019
African Festival of the Arts Aug. 30 – September 2, 2019
Millennium Park Music Series Select Mondays & Thursdays, TBD 2020
Grant Park Music Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Summerdance TBD 2020
Lollapalooza July 30 – Aug. 2, 2020
Jeff Fest TBD 2020
Edge Fest TBD 2020
Ginza Festival TBD 2020
Retro On Roscoe TBD 2020
Chicago Hot Dog Fest TBD 2020
Bud Billiken Parade TBD 2020
Northalsted Market Days TBD 2020
My House Music Festival TBD 2020
Clark After Dark TBD 2020
Tastemaker Chicago TBD 2020
Edison Park Fest TBD 2020
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest TBD 2020
Windy City Carnival TBD 2020
Oak Park Microbrew Review TBD 2020
Chicago Air & Water Show TBD 2020
Pilsen Fest TBD 2020
Sangria Festival TBD 2020
Chicago Women’s Funny Festival TBD 2020
Taste Of Greektown TBD 2020
Logan Square Food Truck Social TBD 2020
Randolph Street Market Festival TBD 2020
Transamerica Chicago Triathlon TBD 2020
Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit event websites for details and the latest updates.
Explore more Chicago festivals:
Chicago’s top musical festivals
Chicago’s free summer music festivals
