Chicago Summer Festivals – August
Chicago is an amazing city year-round, but there is something special about summers in Chicago. Locals and visitors alike are outside enjoying the city’s multitude of parks, beaches, outdoor dining, Lake Michigan, and, of course, summer festivals, most of which offer free admission and benefit local non-profits.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite summer festivals from Printer’s Row to Rogers Park and from Greektown to Roscoe Village. Whether you enjoy food, music, art, or celebrating the heritage of Chicago’s neighborhoods, there is something for everyone!
We hope to see you at some of our favorite summer festivals!
Windy City Smokeout
Thursday, August 4
Friday, August 5
Saturday, August 6
Sunday, August 7
Held outside the United Center, Windy City Smokeout is the country’s premier country music and BBQ festival. Enjoy live performances by some of the top names in country music as well as up-and-coming talent. This festival also celebrates the best BBQ and craft beer from across the country.
Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets
Friday, August 5
Saturday, August 6
Sunday, August 7
Enjoy live music and local beers at this West Town festival. Sip on brews from On Tour Brewing Company, Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Great Central Brewing, Goose Island Beer Company, Forbidden Root Restaurant and Brewery, Luna Bay Hard Kombucha, and Big Drop Brewing Co. Please visit the festival website for the music lin-up.
Old Irving Park Beer & BBQ Challenge
Saturday, August 6
This tasty festival is the ultimate craft beer and BBQ paring competition in Chicago. The city’s best breweries are paired with the city’s best BBQ to see who can create the best craft beer and BBQ pairing in Chicago.
LatiNxt Music Festival
Saturday, August 6
Sunday, August 7
The fifth annual LatiNxt Music Festival celebrates modern Latin music and arts. This free two-day festival takes place at Navy Pier.
Northalsted Market Days
Saturday, August 6
Sunday, August 7
The 40th Northalsted Market Days® is a ½ mile long summer festival with all-day line-ups of live music on five stages. There will be more than 200+ unique vendors including arts, crafts, food and drink, and more.
Retro on Roscoe
Friday, August 12
Saturday, August 13
Sunday, August 14
The 25th annual Retro on Roscoe festival celebrates a blast from the past. With three stages of live music with oldies and favorite throwbacks, an antique car show, and a kids area, this festival is fun for the whole family.
Printer’s Row Art Fest
Saturday, August 13
Sunday, August 14
Celebrating its fourth year, the Printer’s Row Art Fest brings together more than 100 juried artists. The festival is complete with live music and food and beverage offerings from local restaurants.
Clark After Dark
Thursday, August 18
The USO of Illinois’ 14th anniversary of Clark After Dark takes place in River North. This block party celebrates America’s military service members and their families. Proceeds from the event benefit the USO of Illinois program and services that serve more than 326,000 military personnel and military families of Illinois.
Ribfest Chicago
Friday, August 19
Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
Ribfest Chicago is celebrating 22 years of BBQ in 2022! This North Center festival will have over 30 vendors BBQ-ing 50,000 pounds of pork over three days.
Sangria Festival Chicago
Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
This year, Sangria Festival is celebrating seven years of good food, good drink, and good company. Do you think you have the skills to create the ultimate picnic scape? Grab a blanket, your best picnic ideas, and your friends to create your own Sangria Fest Picnic! Please visit the festival website for more information about the fun contest!
Porchfest Roscoe Village
Sunday, August 21
Connect with your neighbors and the community while you stroll the neighborhood and enjoy live music on the front porch of homes in the neighborhood.
Taste of Greektown
Friday, August 26
Saturday, August 27
Sunday, August 28
Celebrate Hellenic pride at the 31st year of the Taste of Greektown. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from neighborhood restaurants as well as live music and entertainment. Opa!
Chalk Howard Street
Saturday, August 27
Be mesmerized as local 2D chalk artists and internationally renowned 3D street artists turn Howard Street into multi-dimensional art works at Chicago’s only chalk art festival!
Bucktown Arts Fest
Saturday, August 27
Sunday, August 28
Bucktown Arts Fest is a neighborhood tradition. All proceeds from the festival go to fund, develop, and support arts education programming at Holstein Park and in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhoods. This arts festival features a dedicated Kid’s Art Tent where little ones can get creative with make and take activities and art projects.
