Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago’s free summer music festivals
In the summer, the city’s downtown and lakefront are filled with the sound of music, as revelers dance, mingle, and celebrate the city’s astounding musical…
National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
Festivals & special events, LGBTQ+
Chicago Pride Parade and more Pride celebrations in Chicago
Chicago knows how to party for Pride. The annual LGBTQ+ celebration takes over the city each June, with street fests, concerts, parties, and the iconic…
Festivals & special events, Music
Lollapalooza
Aug. 3 – 6, 2023 Grant Park Each year, thousands of fans travel from around the world to experience Lollapalooza in Chicago. Those lucky enough…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink, Music
Windy City Smokeout
July 13 – 16, 2023 United Center parking lot Country music, barbecue, and craft beer — it’s hard to think of a better way to…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
June 3, 2023 Free admission • Millennium Park Gospel music has deep roots in Chicago. The city helped transform the genre, propelling it onto a…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Blues Festival
June 8 – 11, 2023 Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond The annual Chicago Blues Festival in June is the city’s largest music festival.…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago Air and Water Show
Aug. 19 – 20, 2023 Free admission • Chicago lakefront Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show has grown to…
Festivals & special events, Music
Top summer music festivals in Chicago
Music lives big in Chicago, on neighborhood streets, in downtown parks, on stage at the stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and along the lakefront in iconic…
Festivals & special events
Chicago festival and event guide
Every season is festival season in Chicago. Chicago’s world-renowned fests and events celebrate food, music, culture, art, and history throughout the city. Check out the…
Festivals & special events, Food & drink
Your guide to Chicago’s food festivals
Get a taste of Chicago’s award-winning dining scene at the city’s packed schedule of food festivals, featuring everything from barbecue to international cuisine to Chicago-style…
Blog, Music, Special events
Celebrate the Year of Chicago Music with a new city-wide music festival
Aug. 19 – Sept. 19, 2021 Citywide Celebrate the Year of Chicago Music (and the return of festival season) with the new Chicago In Tune…
Dining, Festivals
What to eat at Taste of Chicago 2019
This year’s Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest free-admission food fest, will feature 82 local restaurants, including 24 pop-ups and 17 food trucks. That adds…
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