Chicago has many world-renowned festivals and events which came back this year, after the pandemic suspended celebrations for a long two years, for people to enjoy music, food, music, culture, art, and history. Although the Windy City has enough festivals to fill all seasons, the summer brings the best ones. Check out the guide below to see what festivals and events are scheduled in Chicago for the summer of 2022. Dates might be subject to changes, so keep checking them on the organizers’ pages.
June
June brings almost as many festivals and events as there are days in the month. Of course, since it is Pride Month, there are more Pride Celebrations to enjoy, so let’s start the party with these.
Chicago Pride Parade: One of the largest Pride celebrations in the world, the Chicago Pride Parade marches through the historic Northalsted neighborhood on the last Sunday of June.
Chicago Pride Fest: Celebrate Pride in the country’s oldest official gay neighborhood at this lively fest, featuring live music, dance queens, local food, and more.
As we’ve already announced, Pride Fest has an impressive lineup this year, which will include performances from Alaska Thunderf*ck, Dorian Electra, Netta, The Aces and Mila Jam, among others, according to organizers.
The summer festival, which is set to take place June 18-19, will feature three stages of live music and DJs; food and drinks; crafts and vendors; a pet parade; games and giveaways.
Pride in the Park: This Grant Park music festival celebrates Pride month with live music, drag performances, local food, and more.
Andersonville Midsommarfest: For more than 50 years, this summer festival has celebrated Andersonville’s Swedish heritage, LGBTQ+ pride, and vibrant local business community.
Chicago Blues Festival: Huge crowds, hundreds of thousands of fans gather to listen to their blues icons from all over the country.
Maifest: Huge beers, traditional foods, and lively bands are on the menu at this annual gathering of people who celebrate German heritage.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd: A festival-worthy line-up of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles, and access to the aquarium, cocktails, while enjoying unbeatable city views, what could be better?
Chicago Gospel Music Experience: This free outdoor concert, celebrating the Chicago-born genre, brings together traditional choirs, contemporary urban gospel artists, and more.
Millennium Park Music Series: Free weekly concerts give you the opportunity to enjoy local and national artists while relaxing on the grass.
Taste of Chicago pop-ups: Foodies already know this tasty event, with local food trucks popping up around Chicago neighborhoods for a bite-sized taste of your favorite foods.
Maxwell Street Market: Browse an eclectic array of handmade crafts, live music, and street food vendors at this long-running Sunday market.
Grant Park Music Festival: If classical music is what makes you tick, this 80-year tradition brings free classical music to Millennium Park all summer.
Jazzin’ On the Steps: The South Side Jazz Coalition is back on the steps of St. Columbanus Catholic Church for a new edition of the free jazz we know and love.
Puerto Rican Festival: This is the 40th year of this wonderful annual celebration, which honors Puerto Rican culture and heritage in Humboldt Park with live music, local vendors, and more.
Summer Smash Festival: The self dubbed best party of the summer is waiting for fans at an outdoor multi-stage music festival featuring some of the biggest names in hip hop.
Ravenswood On Tap: Sip your way through Ravenswood, one of Chicago’s top craft beer neighborhoods and home to many small craft producers.
Old Town Art Fair: It has been more than 70 years since this open-air market, a long-standing Old Town staple, has been showcasing artists from all mediums.
Do Division Street Fest: This popular neighborhood fest has a dedicated family fun area, and two live music stages, as well as a variety of local retail and food vendors.
Lincoln Park Greek Fest: Do you want to feel like Zorba for one night? Greek heritage is on full display at this neighborhood street fest, with authentic food, music, and dancing.
Hyde Park Summer Fest: Local beers, food, music, and more await Chicagoans and visitors at this popular neighborhood festival featuring major headlining acts.
57th Street Art Fair: Each year, this free event, the city’s oldest juried art fair, showcases the works of more than 200 artists.
Taste of Randolph: The West Loop best spots for foodies, in a food fest that lets you taste them all.
July
When we talk about dancing and music, July is full of great events to go to, culminating with the one we are going to name first, one of the greatest music festivals of the world.
Lollapalooza: Lakefront Grant Park is hosting one of the largest and most iconic music festivals in the world, with top artists and local bands to fully enjoy.
Chosen Few Picnic: Each summer, this event, the longest-running one dedicated to house music, brings thousands of fans to Jackson Park.
Chicago Summerdance: Learn to salsa, waltz, swing, and more during these free open-air dance lessons.
Taste of Chicago: Sample Chicago’s award-winning cuisine in a bite-sized version of this lakefront festival, held in lakefront Grant Park.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series: This beloved summer event lets you watch free movies under the stars: family favorites, cult classics, and beyond.
Millennium Park Music Series: Grab a spot on the grass and enjoy free weekly concerts by local and national artists.
Pitchfork Music Festival: This multi-genre music festival is known for its cutting-edge line-up and laid back vibe.
Maxwell Street Market: Browse an eclectic array of handmade crafts, live music, and street food vendors at this long-running Sunday market.
Grant Park Music Festival: This 80-year tradition brings free classical music to Millennium Park all summer long.
Chinatown Summer Fair: Celebrate the start of summer at this annual fest with cultural demonstrations, traditional dances, and food from Chinatown restaurants.
Tacos y Tamales: Based on a traditional Mexican market, this Pilsen fest features local vendors selling their food, artwork, wares and a vast array of live music & dance throughout the weekend.
Wicker Park Fest: This weekend fest celebrates the eclectic neighborhood it calls home with over 50 bands on four stages, local food, a kids’ area, and more.
Millennium Park Music Series: Free weekly concerts give you the opportunity to enjoy local and national artists while relaxing on the grass.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest: Find the best burger in the city at this local favorite, all while enjoying live music and cold drinks.
African/Caribbean International Festival Of Life: Reggae music is at the heart of this Washington Park festival, along with the lifestyle and culture of various African and Caribbean nations.
Pizza City Fest: Sample the city’s best pies, from deep dish to tavern style, at this two-day pizza extravaganza.
Millennium Art Festival: This juried art showcase also brings live music and food to Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Loop.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd: A festival-worthy line-up of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles, and access to the aquarium, cocktails, while enjoying unbeatable city views, what could be better?
Jazzin’ On the Steps: The South Side Jazz Coalition is back on the steps of St. Columbanus Catholic Church for a new edition of the free jazz we know and love.
Southport Art & Music Fest: Southport Corridor offers a fine art show, featuring jewelry, sculpture, photography, and more.
Bucktown Neighborhood & Garden Walk: Enjoy live music while strolling through urban gardens during this unique event showcasing the Bucktown neighborhood.
Fiesta Del Sol: A multi-day Mexican festival in the Pilsen neighborhood, a family annual event everyone loves.
Jeff Fest: Also known as the Jefferson Park Arts & Music Festival, this neighborhood park takes over idyllic Jefferson Memorial Park.
August
The air gets hotter, the nights a bit chilly, but there is still a lot of fun to be had around town with the whole family. Check the main attractions below.
Chicago Air and Water Show: The largest free show of its kind in the country, this waterfront show features stunning aerial displays above Lake Michigan.
Windy City Smokeout: It’s like a weekend-long tailgate at this popular country music festival, known for drawing in the industry’s top names.
Year of Chicago Dance Showcase: This free celebration of Chicago’s thriving and diverse dance scene will take place in Millennium Park.
Maxwell Street Market: Browse an eclectic array of handmade crafts, live music, and street food vendors at this long-running Sunday market.
Northalsted Market Days: An iconic Pride event, Market Days boasts all-day lineups of live music on multiple stages, unique vendors, and DJs and dancing in a historic neighborhood.
Millennium Park Music Series: Free weekly concerts give you the opportunity to enjoy local and national artists while relaxing on the grass.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series: This beloved summer event lets you watch free movies under the stars: family favorites, cult classics, and beyond.
Uptown Art Week: This week-long showcase will feature more than 150 pieces of public art, along with live paintings, interactive art activities, and more.
Taste of Greektown: The Greek heritage is back! Get a taste of Chicago’s vibrant Greektown with lively bands, dance troupes, and tons of traditional food.
C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo: The largest pop culture convention in the Midwest showcases comic books, cosplay, video games, anime, TV shows, movies, books, and more.
Flavors of Albany Park: Over 50 local restaurants are participating in a feast of culinary diversity of this melting-pot community.
Ruido Fest: Chicago’s only Latin alternative music festival, Ruido Fest offers a weekend of music in Union Park.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd: A festival-worthy line-up of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles, and access to the aquarium, cocktails, while enjoying unbeatable city views, what could be better?
Wine and Art Walk at Morton Arboretum: Just outside Chicago, this sprawling natural area hosts an art fair and wine tasting event on their lovely grounds.
Ribfest Chicago: It’s all about ribs and rock music at this family-friendly North Center street fest.
Chicago Summerdance: Learn to salsa, waltz, swing, and more during these free open-air dance lessons.
Grant Park Music Festival: This 80-year tradition brings free classical music to Millennium Park all summer long.
Sundays on State: Join this free, interactive block party featuring art, culture, shopping, dining, and more.
Jazzin’ On the Steps: The South Side Jazz Coalition is back on the steps of St. Columbanus Catholic Church for a new edition of the free jazz we know and love.
Sangria Festival: Sip sangria while enjoying Latin American food and music at this Humboldt Park festival.
Edison Park Fest This neighborhood tradition supports local businesses and raises funds for the community.
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest: This arts-centric fest has taken over the streets of Rogers Park for the past 20 years, with artists, craft workers, live music, and more.
Chicago Triathlon: Athletes from around the world come to compete in this sporting event, which includes a triathlon, super sprint, and kids’ event.
September
September is technically not summer, but we all know it is still warm enough to enjoy outdoor events, so the ones listed below certainly qualify as seasonal fun. Especially since the Bulls are bringing their own festival to the table.
Bulls Fest: The Chicago Bulls announced March 11th the launch of an inaugural street event, which is going to take place on the United Center campus over Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3-4). The two-day festival will feature a 3v3 basketball tournament, live music, art exhibitions, kid-friendly activities, and food and drink.
Chicago Jazz Festival: The Chicago Jazz Festival brings free jazz to Millennium Park and neighborhood venues. The range of artists includes jazz legends to influential modern masters.
Chicago House Music Experience: Hear house music in the city where it was born during this free music fest in Millennium Park.
Printers Row Lit Fest: The largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest features speakers and exhibitors across genres.
Maxwell Street Market: Browse an eclectic array of handmade crafts, live music, and street food vendors at this long-running Sunday market.
Sundays on State: Join this free, interactive block party featuring art, culture, shopping, dining, and more.
Jazzin’ On the Steps: The South Side Jazz Coalition is back on the steps of St. Columbanus Catholic Church for a new edition of the free jazz we know and love.
The Great American Lobster Fest: Live lobsters are flown in from the East Coast for the Midwest’s largest seafood festival, held at Navy Pier.
Riot Fest & Carnival: One of Chicago’s biggest music fests, Riot Fest brings rock, punk, and a full carnival to Douglass Park.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival: This free festival celebrates the rich tradition of jazz on Chicago’s south side, featuring a diverse group of musicians each year.
Chicago Summerdance: Learn to salsa, waltz, swing, and more during these free open-air dance lessons.
ARC Music Festival: This music fest in Union Park celebrates house music, a Chicago-born genre, over Labor Day weekend.
Puerto Rican Festival: This is the 40th year of this wonderful annual celebration, which honors Puerto Rican culture and heritage in Humboldt Park with live music, local vendors, and more.
Chicago Gourmet: This high-end food festival features tastings, demos, and intimate dinners with the country’s best chefs.
North Coast Music Festival: This annual Labor Day weekend music festival includes electronic music, hip hop, and rock acts, plus art installations and food vendors.
Sam Adams’ Lakeview Taco Fest: We told you September is still summer. Enjoy it’s last few days with tacos, margaritas, entertainment, and more at Southport Corridor.
Chicago International Latino Theater Festival: The city’s Latino theater community is on display during this month-long festival.
World Music Festival: This one-of-a-kind festival brings hundreds of musicians from all over the world to Chicago for a multi-venue celebration of international music.
As one can easily see, we have as many festivals as days in every month, and we are proud to brag about it. If you come from another city, you might want to check where you could stay while you are here, and here’s a list of the best hotels in Chicago you definitely should check out.
