JUNE
June 1
LAKEVIEW PORCHFEST
1-5 pm Sun
Stroll the neighborhood and catch concerts by local talent on front porches. Sponsored by Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. Tickets $10 at www.lakeviewroscoevillage.org/ porchfest-2025
June 4-August 27
HIGHWOOD EVENING GOURMET MARKET
Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood 4:30-9 pm (exc July 2)
Spread a picnic blanket Ravinia-style for Wednesday evening concerts and gourmet market with 60 vendors. Special events include “Kick off to Summer” carnival June 6-8, “Inferno Fest” of spicy foods June 25, Margarita Night July 16, Highwood Days Carnival and Taste of Highwood July 17-20, Garlic Fest August 13, Bloody Mary Fest Sun August 17 and “Nashwood”: Highwood meets Nashville, on August 29-31. www.celebratehighwood.org
June 5-8
CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL
Thursday at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St. Conference & “Living Blues” DoubleBill Concert with Bobby Rush and Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues. Age 18+. FREE, but RSVP at www.chicago.gov/ city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_ blues_festival10.html until capacity. 4-11 pm.
Fri-Sun at Millennium Park
B.B. King Centennial and Tribute – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell, Jonathan Ellison co-presented with B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretative Center; Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle with Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace
and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison; Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates 75th anniversary of Chess Records and Mavis Staples. FREE.
June 6
FIRST FRIDAY MUSIC SERIES
Sheridan Road, Devon-Pratt 6-8 pm
Prepare for a musical journey from Bossa Nova to Jazz and everything in between on local business patios including Cafe Nova, Loyola Plaza, Great Wall and Giordano's. Performers include The Mossy Stones, Paul Velat, Vivian Garcia, and Nicholas Barron. Swing by for giveaways and refreshments while supplies last. Coordinated by the Rogers Park Business Alliance. rpba.org/events
June 6-8
LINCOLN PARK GREEK FEST
St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield Ave.
Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 12-11 pm, Sun 12-10 pm Enjoy authentic Greek food like pork shish kebabs, veggie appetizer, spinach pie, gyros, souvlaki, pastitsio and baklava; craft fair; folk dancing; live music: Ormi Orchestra for modern and traditional music, The Wise Guys classic rock and 16 Candles Friday night; beer, wine, soft drinks. $10 suggested donation. chicago.goarch.org/events
June 6-8
LINCOLN SQUARE GREEK FEST
St. Demetrios Church, 2727 W. Winona Fri 4-10 pm, Sat 3 pm-midnight, Sun Noon-Midnight
Bring your “OPAtite” for authentic Greek food & pastries, Greek spirits & dancing,
grand raffle, vendors, kid zone, church tours, Jesse White Tumblers. Live music includes The Prissillas all-girl cover band, Hot Rocks Rolling Stone tribute, Northside –“Our Boys Are Back in Town,” Panopoulos Orchestra. chicago. goarch.org/event/lincoln-square-greekfest-2025
June 6-8
RIBFEST CHICAGO
Lincoln/Irving/Damen
Fri 5-10 pm, Sat-Sun Noon-10 pm
Go Hog Wild as Northcenter event celebrates 25 years. Prepare your taste buds for top BBQ vendors serving up racks of their juiciest, most flavorful ribs and sides. People’s Choice Award and Celebrity Judges’ Pick, chosen by panel of food experts and special guests. Live music, (Hello Weekend, Dancing Queen: ABBA Salute, Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, The Black Oil Brothers, Caught Steelin, Super Creeps: The Music of David Bowie, Trippin Billies, The Birkenrocks and more) huge kids’ area. Requested donation benefits local schools, nonprofits, econ development and greening efforts. ribfest-chicago.com
June 7-8
57TH STREET ART FAIR
57th Street, Kenwood-Woodlawn/ Kimbark, 56th-57th Street
Sat 11-6 pm, Sun 10-5 pm
78th annual event where all work must be original: no limited edition prints or other reproductions. Artists are on hand to discuss their work and reap complete monetary benefit. Oldest juried art fair in Midwest features up to 200 exhibitors in diverse media. Blues music at the Buddy Guy’s Legends stage. FREE admission. 57thstreetartfair.org
June 7-8
GOLD COAST ART FAIR
S. Lake Shore & E. Monroe
Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm
200+ artists at 67th annual event. Take a break at one of these food/drink oases or three entertainment stages. Classes to make your own masterpiece. NASCAR closures will not affect site. amdurproductions.com/gold-coast-art-fair
June 12-15
FIESTAS PATRONALES PUERTORRIQUENAS
Humboldt Park: 2800 W. Division & Mozart
Thurs-Fri 3-10 pm, Sat-Sun Noon-10 pm
Celebrate Puerto Rican Day with authentic food, pastry, confections, designers & makers, DIY workshops. www.puertoricanfest.com
June 12-August 14
LINCOLN SQUARE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Giddings Plaza, 4731 N. Lincoln Ave.
Thurs 6-8:30 pm (closed July 3)
Listen to local Chicago musicians: The Sting Rays (’50s, ’60s and ’70s rock n roll); The Beaus (Broadway/pop mashup); Le Travaillant (Cajun), Los Perros Cubanos (Latin rock); Tijuana Hercules (swampy Blues); The Flat Cats (American songbook), and more, weather permitting. FREE. www.lincolnsquare.org/ summer-concert-series
June 13-14
SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES
DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
Fri 1-10 pm, Sat 9 am-10 pm
Explore Scottish culture without buying a plane ticket as you listen to piping and drumming, watch “heavy athletics” like the caber toss (throwing a telephone pole-sized log end over end), Highland dancing, massed piping and drumming bands. Shop for tartan clothing and collectibles, explore your genealogy. Cooking demonstrations by Gary McLean, national chef of Scotland; shortbread contest. Rock concerts headlined by Skerryvore (Celtic rock) at 7:30 pm Fri, 8 pm Sat. Proceeds benefit Chicago Scots, founded in 1845, the oldest notfor-profit in Illinois, and its principal charity, Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care. Admission: $19 Fri, $28.50 Sat, $200 2-day VIP at chicagoscots.org/festival
June 13-15
ANDERSONVILLE MIDSOMMARFEST
On Clark, Foster to Gregory Fri 5-10 p.m., Sat Noon-10 pm, Sun Noon-9 pm
Now in its 59th year, Midsommarfest celebrates the neighborhood’s Swedish origins, along with up-and-coming LGBTQIA+ artists. Admission is a $10 suggested donation. Proceeds from donations and beverage sales go directly back to the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, a 501c6 non-profit organization to support festival expenses, neighborhood events, small business networking events, neighborhood beautification – and over a dozen local nonprofits. andersonville.org/midsommarfest
June 13-15
TASTE OF RANDOLPH STREET
On Randolph – Peoria to Racine. Celebrate with local restaurants and the nation’s hottest up-and-coming bands, including Phantogram, J. Worra b2b Gene Farris, Spitalfield, Kyle Watson, Slow Pulp and Chromeo. tasteofrandolph.org
June 13-August 16
GRANT PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Wed, Fri & Sat
FREE seating on the Great Lawn and back half of the bowl; reserved seats for members ($103+ for 4-6 concerts). Highlights include “Rhapsody in Blue,” Holst’s “The Planets,” Ravel’s “Bolero,” Rodgers and Hammerstein, Joshua Bell and Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo & Juliet,” Carmina Burana, Stravinsky’s “Firebird” and the Independence Day Salute. www.grantparkmusicfestival.com
June 14
SUMMER SOLSTICE UPRISING
Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Drive 11 am-5 pm
Collaboration between the Chicago Park District, Ridge Park Advisory Council, the Beverly Area Arts Alliance and John H. Vanderpoel Art As sociation. beverlyarts. org/events
June 14-15
OLD TOWN ART FAIR
Old Town Triangle: Lincoln Park West/ Wisconsin/Menomonee/Orleans/North Park Sat 10-7pm, Sun 10-6pm
Artwork hung on fences for the first fair in 1950; now it draws 200+ juried fine artists in diverse media: mixed media drawings, paintings, photography, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, wood, metal, stone. You’ll also find a garden walk, food court, children’s corner and live music: jazz, swing, folk, fusion and blues. oldtownartfair.org
June 14-15
WELLS STREET ART FESTIVAL
On Wells Street, b/t Division and North Avenue
50th anniversary event draws 130+ juried artists from across North America offer traditional painting and sculpture, woodworking and metalsmithing, jewel craft, digital arts, and more; food from Old Town restaurants. Lineup includes Rosie & The Rivets, The Leisure Committee, 16 Candles, Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press. Hosted by Old Town Merchants and Residents Association. $10 donation requested. www.wellsstreetartfest.us
June 14-15
ARTS ON SHERIDAN
484 Central Ave., Highland Park Sat-Sun, 10 am-5 pm
Brand-new festival offers curated selection of art across all media. Kids’ Zone, live music, food & drink, art demos. amdurproductions.com/arts-on-sheridan
June 14-15
ARTISTS OF THE WALL FESTIVAL
Pratt Beach, Farwell & the Lake 8 am-3 pm
Live public mural painting of 160 spaces on concrete bench-wall started 32 years ago as a way to prevent gang graffiti, respect Father’s Day, and bring the Rogers Park community together. This year’s theme is “All Together Now.” Images will remain until next May, when the wall is whitewashed in preparation for the 2025 Festival. www.loyolapark. org/lpac-events/artists-of-the-wall-2025
June 20-21
TASTE OF HIGHLAND PARK
Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park Fri-Sat 5-10 pm
Downtown Highland Park’s premiere dining and music festival. enjoyhighlandpark.com
June 20-21
WINNETKA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Downtown: Entrances Lincoln/Pine & Green Bay Road/Elm Street Fri 5-11 pm, Sat Noon-10 pm
Emerging artists from the North Shore and beyond on 4 stages; wide variety of food, including vegan and gluten-free. Headliners include The Revivalists and Cold War Kids. Admission $64.50 Fri, $74.50 Sat, VIP $184.50/$199.50. winnetkamusicfestival.com
June 20-22
LYRICAL LEMONADE SUMMER SMASH FEST
Seatgeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem, Bridgeview Gates open 3 pm Fri; 1 pm Sat & Sun Premier hip-hop festival in the Midwest, with 50+ performers on three stages, more art installations than ever. Open to all ages. Headliners include Don Toliver x Yeat, Future, Young Thug, Chance the Rapper. 1-day $140, 3-day $375, VIP $260/$655. thesummersmash.com
June 21-22
VEGANDALE
Grant Park: Butler Field
Food, music, interactive art and international vendors rated 5 Stars by animals. www.vegandalefest.com/chicago
June 21-22
CHICAGO PRIDE FEST
Halsted, Addison to Grace Street Sat-Sun, 11 am-10 pm
Celebration of LGBTQ+ pride & community organized by Northalsted Business Alliance on the weekend before the Pride Parade features music on three stages, vendors, food, a Youth Pride Space for teens, best of Chicago drag performance, Miss Foozie’s Proud Pet Parade with prizes, dance exhibitions, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, guest speakers and 150+ food and merchandise vendors. $20 suggested donation. pridefestchicago.com
June 21-22
MAGNIFICENT MILE ART FESTIVAL
875 N. Michigan Ave. Sat & Sun 10 am-5 pm 60 juried artists in a variety of media. amdurproductions.com/magnificentmile-art-festival
June 21
DRAGON BOAT RACE FOR LITERACY
Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 W. 19th St. Free admission
Chinese dragon boat races date back 2,000 years. Hosted by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce since 2000, the family event includes music and cultural dance performances. Each team consists of up to 20 members: 18 rowers and a drummer. ccc-foundation.org
June 21-22
ART IN THE VILLAGE
Hubbard Woods Park, 939 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Annual juried fine art fair sponsored by the 100-year-old North Shore Art League (NSAL) draws participants from across U.S. northshoreartleague.org
June 22-August 10
BELLS OF SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Rockefeller Chapel east lawn Sundays at 5 pm
Spread a picnic and enjoy 59th season of carillon played by virtuosos from metro Chicago and beyond. See Facebook page for updated schedule. rockefeller. uchicago.edu/the-carillon/the-bells-ofsummer
June 25
FLAVORS OF ALBANY PARK
Wed 5-8 p.m.
14th annual event claims to be North Side’s biggest restaurant crawl, with over 50 eateries participating. www. northrivercommission.org/calendar/ flavors-of-albany-park
June 26
HYDE PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL BENEFIT
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Thurs 6-8:30 pm
Fundraiser keeps late September festival in Hyde Park free for everyone. Music by Pharez Whitted Quintet. Honorees include Ava and Isaac Stanley and Marc Monaghan. Hosted beer and wine bar. Tickets $250 at www.hydeparkjazzfestival.org/benefit-2025
June 26-August 7
MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Mondays and Thursdays
A wide variety of music from established and emerging artists. Entrances on Michigan at Randolph and Monroe Streets. FREE. www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/ supp_info/millennium_park9.html
June 27-28
CHICAGO TACO & TEQUILA FEST
Wrightwood Park, 2534 N. Greenview Ave.
Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 11 am-10 pm
Next-level tacos from top local spots, smooth & bold tequilas to sip or shoot, and a whole vibe of music and good times. $10 admission includes samplesize Margarita for age 21+; $15 tequila tasting add-on. chicagoevents.com/ event/chicago-taco-tequila-fest
June 28-29
CHICAGO FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
2300 S. Indiana Ave. Sat-Sun 10 am-8 pm chicagofoodtruckfestival.com
June 28-29
MILLENNIUM ART FESTIVAL
E. Lake St., Stetson - Beaubien Court Sat-Sun, 10 am-5 pm
Steps from Millennium Park, shop for sculptures, photography, jewelry and more and grab a snack from food trucks. FREE. amdurproductions.com/ new-millennium-art-festival
June 28-30
BACK LOT BASH
TBA
Where the girls come out to play, with headliner Jojo Siwa – and to showcase female artists and community organizations – during Pride Weekend. backlotbashchicago.com
June 28, July 19 & August 9
TASTE NEIGHBORHOOD POP-UPS
Sept 5-7 Taste in Grant Park
Jackson & Columbus
“Taste” moves from downtown to the neighborhoods: Marquette Park in June, Pullman Park in July and Albany Park in August. FREE admission, with food for purchase. www.chicago.gov/city/en/ depts/dca/supp_info/taste_of_chicago. html
June 30
GAY PRIDE PARADE
Sheridan & Broadway -staging; viewing begins at Grace Sun @ 11 am
54th annual parade proceeds south on Broadway, then Halsted, east on Belmont to Broadway, south to Diversey and Sheridan. Least crowded on Belmont between Halsted and Broadway; accessible viewing and restrooms 600 W. Diversey. Theme “United in Pride” is not just a celebration but a call to action, for everyone to come together in building a world where authenticity is celebrated, individuality is honored, equality and justice are unwavering truths for all. Info and volunteer signups at pridechicago.org. FREE.
JULY
July 1-August 19
MILLENNIUM PARK
SUMMER
FILM SERIES
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St. Tuesdays, 6:30 pm Take a seat in the pavilion or spread out on the Great Lawn and watch a movie on the stateof-the-art, LED, 40-foot screen. Schedule TBA. FREE. www. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/ dca/supp_info/millennium_ park7.html
July 4
FOURTH OF JULY IN CHICAGO
Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park: Grant Park Music Festival Independence Day Salute, 6:30-8 pm featuring Robert Lowden’s Armed Forces Salute and John Philip Sousa’s The “Liberty Bell March” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Free seating in back half of bowl.
July 4
FOURTH OF JULYSUBURBS
Evanston: Morning fun run, afternoon parade, evening concert and fireworks. evanston4th.org
Glencoe: July 3 fireworks, July 4 fun run, family games, parade. villageofglencoe.org
Homewood: 10 am parade July 4 on Dixie Highway south to Ridge Road and east to Izaak Walton Preserve. www.village.homewood.il.us/community/ events/july-4th-parade
Skokie: July 4 noon parade, 6:30 pm fireworks festival at Niles West HS. skokie4th.org
Wilmette: July 3 fireworks, food vendors and live music at Gillson Park. wilmettepark.org/event-list/fun-fireworks
Winnetka: morning fun run, afternoon parade, evening concert and fireworks at winpark.org
July 5-6
LINCOLNSHIRE ART FESTIVAL
405 Village Green S, Lincolnshire Sat & Sun 10 am-5 pm
80 juried artists from around the US; live music, festival food, and beers from Half Day Brewery. amdurproductions.com/new-lincolnshire-art-festival
July 16-20
ROTARY FEST
164 Lions Drive, next to Elk Grove HS Wed-Thur 6-10 pm, Fri 6-11, Sat 2-11, Sun 2-9 pm
O.A.R. (Elk Grove Mid-Summer Classic Concert Series) Thursday; Disco Circus and Radio Gaga Friday; Rob Post Band featuring Jim Cunningham, iPOP, Mike & Joe Saturday; along with food, beer, wine and seltzers available for purchase Thurs-Sat; carnival rides all five days; drone light show after Thursday concert, fireworks at 9 p.m. Saturday. This fundraiser for the Elk Grove Rotary Club helps local, regional, national and international causes. www.elkgroverotaryfest.com
July 18-19
TASTE OF RIVER NORTH
On Wells, Ontario to Chicago Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 11 am-10 pm Savor signature dishes from some of the city’s top restaurants located in this iconic neighborhood, enjoy art vendors, interactive experiences for the whole family, wine and spirit tastings, Saturday morning dog parade and electrifying live music. chicagoevents.com/event/tasteof-river-north
July 18-20
EL GRAN FESTIVAL COLOMBIANO
Humboldt Park Baseball Fields 1 & 2, North & Kedzie Fri 3-10 pm, Sat 1-10 pm, Sun Noon-10 pm
Annual event celebrates Colombian independence from Spain, declared on July 20 more than 200 years ago. Main stage entertainment includes Elder Dayan Diaz, 2-time Grammy winners Tony Succar and Mimy Succar; Luis Figueroa, representing Puerto Rico’s new urban salsa movement; Grupo Gale; Mr. Black; Hernan Gomez; DJ Andrews Caicedo. Admission FREE Fri in honor of First Responders, $25 Sat, $35 Sun, kids under 13 free with paid adult ticket at colombianfestchicago.com
July 18-20
ROSCOE VILLAGE BURGER FEST
2000 W. Belmont Ave. Fri 5-10 pm, Sat & Sun 11-10 pm
Choose Chicago’s best burger, enjoy arts & crafts, kids’ zone, live music on two stages. $10 suggested donation benefits programs of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. chicagoevents.com/event/ roscoe-village-burger-fest
July 18-20
TACOS Y TAMALES FESTIVAL
On Blue Island, Ashland to Wolcott Fri 5-9 pm, Sat-Sun Noon-9 pm Skilled hands press fresh masa into perfect tortillas before your eyes, then load them with slow-cooked meats and vibrant salsas at Pilsen fest. Unwrap happiness with traditional tamales—pockets of steamed perfection featuring recipes passed down through generations. Why stop there? Enjoy churros and chalupas too, as well as beer, micheladas, margaritas and specialty cocktails to the pulse of powerhouse Latin bands. Free admission, but suggested donation to benefit local charities. chicagotacofest.com
July 18-20
WEST FEST
1800-2000 W. Chicago Ave., b/t Wood & Damen
Fri 5-10pm, Sat & Sun Noon-10pm
Planned and managed by the West Town Chamber of Commerce, this fest emphasizes local talent, neighborhood retailers and restaurants, fine artists and makers as vendors. Pet Fest offers obstacle course, paw painting, pet retail and service booths. Kids’ Fest will have train rides, pony rides, bounce house. Cutting edge live music programmed by Empty Bottle Presents and Bass by the Pound DJ Stage. Proceeds benefit West Town Chamber of Commerce and Talcott Fine Arts & Museum Academy. $10 suggested donation. www.west townchamber.org/west-fest-chicago
July 19-20
GLENCOE
FESTIVAL OF ART
700 Vernon Ave.
Sat & Sun 10 am-5 pm
100 vendors at downtown event with live music stage, kid-friendly art tent and demos. FREE admission. amdurproductions.com/new-glencoefestival-of-art
July 19-20
RAVENSWOOD ON TAP
Ravenswood & Berteau Avenues
Sat Noon-10 pm, Sun Noon-8 pm
Hyper-local festival introduces you to the brewers and distillers of Malt Row and cocktails by KOVAL Distillery. Enjoy street food, live music, axe-throwing and games. RSVP on Facebook. Suggested donation for admission.
ravenswoodchicago.org/signatureevents/ravenswood-on-tap
