Chicagoland is know for it’s great neighborhood festivals. You have to get to at least one a month. There are so many to choose from every weekend!
Find more events and lists of art festivals, car shows and more in the Oaklee’s Summer Guide.
June 4-7
Taste of Wheaton
Wheaton: wheatonparkdistrict.com
Wheaton Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave. Join us for this annual celebration in Downtown Wheaton! Food, vendors, arts & crafts, carnival rides, children’s games entertainment, beer garden, business expo. Free.
June 5-6, Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-2:30pm
70th Anniversary of the Winnetka Children’s Fair
Winnetka: 847-446-4432 www.winnetkacommunitynurseryschool.org/about-the-fair/
The Village Green, Elm and Oak St. Children of all ages across Chicagoland are encouraged to flock to the Winnetka Children’s Fair to kick off the beginning of summer. Admission is free, tickets for attractions and food and beverage available for purchase.
June 5-7, noon-10:30pm
Little Village Flavors of Mexico
Chicago: www.chicagoevents.com
Little Village, 26th & California. Long overdue for food-loving Chicagoans, the Windy City will at last be hosting what promises to become one of the Midwest’s premier culinary and cultural events.
June 6-7
Rockford AirFest
Rockford: 815-969-4000 www.rockfordairfest.com
Chicago Rockford International Airport, 60 Airport Dr. Rockford AirFest includes a performance by the United States Navy Blue Angels. Performers will be added as they are confirmed. $30 a car load.
June 6-7, 10am-5pm
Highwood Redhead Days
Highwood: www.redheaddays.nl www.facebook.com/RHDchicago
Highwood City Hall Park, 17 Highwood Ave. Gingers unite! Redhead Days is a festival originating in Breda, Holland that seeks to unite the global redheaded community through their three core values of bonding, pride and recognition. On June 6th and 7th, the City of Highwood is proud to host the first Redhead Days Festival in the United States. Registration is Free.
June 6-7
Printers Row Lit Fest
Chicago: printersrowlitfest.org
On Dearborn from Congress to Polk. The Midwest’s largest free outdoor literary event drawing 150,000 book lovers to the event.
June 11-14, Thurs. 6-10pm, Fri. 6-11pm, Sat. 1-11pm, Sun. 1-9pm
Summer Carnival
Carol Stream: 630-665-7050 www.carolstream.org
Carol Stream Town Center, SW Gary Ave. & Lies Rd. 20 exciting rides for kids of all ages, carnival game walkway, food court with popcorn, cotton candy, funnel cakes, pizza by the slice, fresh-squeezed lemonade & more. $20 Unlimited ride wristbands valid Thu. 6-10pm, Sat. & Sun. 1-5pm. Free Carnival for Special Needs Persons & their Families Sat., June 13, noon-2pm.
June 11-14
Jelly Belly Summer Carnival
Pleasant Prairie, WI: 866-868-7522 www.jellybelly.com
10100 Jelly Belly Ln. Celebrate summer with carnival rides, midway games and more at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center. Unlimited rides Friday June 12, Saturday June 13 and Sunday, June 14 from 12-4 p.m. $18 per person. Complimentary tours daily, 9am-4pm.
June 12-14, Fri. 5-10pm, Sat. & Sun. noon-10pm
Ribfest Chicago – Kids Square
Chicago: 773-525-3609 www.Ribfest-Chicago.com
4000 N. Lincoln Ave. Ribfest Chicago returns with more smokin’ music and barbecue as we cook up Chicago’s favorite food and music festival. Thirty Chicagoland rib and non-rib vendors, with an internationally-recognized music festival that hosts premier touring bands. $5 Donation requested to benefit Northcenter philanthropy and community programs.
June 12-14, 11am-9:30pm
Chicago Blues Festival
Chicago: 312-744-3315 www.chicagobluesfestival.us
Grant Park at Jackson & Columbus. This is the largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago’s music festivals.
June 12-14, Fri. 5-10pm, Sat. & Sun. noon-10pm
Andersonville Midsommarfest
Chicago: www.andersonville.org/events/midsommarfest/
Andersonville, Clark St. Born out of Andersonville’s Swedish heritage, Midsommarfest will transport you back to the old-world Swedish traditions. Dance around the Maypole, test flavorful international food and you can experience it all without the use of a passport! The neighborhood’s lively LGBT population also makes Midsommarfest one of the most diverse festivals in Chicago. Suggested donation $10.
June 13, 11am–4pm
Riverwalk Chalk Fest. 2015
Rockford: 815-963-6769 www.discoverycentermuseum.org
Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St. We’ll supply the chalk, you bring your imagination! Invent your own colors, see professional artists and school teams at work, and create your own Kids’ Zone masterpiece using this simple and versatile material! Free event to the public – admission fee is not necessary unless you wish to enter into the museum. Museum admission: $8/person, free members and ages 1 & younger.
June 13
The 10th Annual Block Party @ St. Norbert
Northbrook: 847-272-0051 www.stnorbertblockparty.org
1817 Walters Ave. Rain or shine. The fun begins at 8am with a Kid’s Fun Run and a 5K Run. Afternoon festivities start at 3pm. Kid’s corner with games, inflatables, and DJ. Live bands all day with headliner at 8pm. Food & beverage tent. $10/person after 7pm.
June 13-14, Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 11am-9pm
Wells Street Art Festival
Chicago: 773-868-3010 www.chicagoevents.com
N. Wells St. between North Ave. and Division St. One of Chicago’s most prestigious art fairs, it features a wide variety of fine art, from glass and ceramics to pencil drawings and oil paintings.
June 16-Aug 22
Grant Park Music Festival
Chicago: www.grantparkmusicfestival.com
Millennium Park. In its 81st season of offering free classical music, the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus includes internationally-acclaimed guest artists.
June 18-21
PrairieFest
Oswego: www.prairiefest.com
PrairieFest Park, 91 Plank Dr. Celebrating for over 27 years, the festival is attended by approximately 60,000 during the course of the weekend with a carnival, music, entertainment, food and more.
June 19, 7-9am
Bike to Work Rally
Chicago: 312-744-3315 www.bikechicago.us
Chicago Daley Plaza, Washington & Dearborn Sts. Celebrate Chicago’s commitment to being the best big city for bicycling.
June 19-21, Fri. 5-10pm, Sat. & Sun. noon-10pm
Taste of Randolph
Chicago: starevents.com/festivals/taste-of-randolph/
West Loop, 900 W. Randolph St. at N. Peoria St. This three-day cross-cultural celebration will mix extraordinary food, brilliant artisans and diverse musical offerings. Suggested $10 donation.
June 19-21
Festa! Pasta! Vino!
Chicago: www.oshows.com
Oakley and 24th Sts. Continuous live entertainment, Italian food specialties from authentic restaurants in Chicago’s Little Tuscany area. Fri. 5-11pm, Sat. noon-11pm, Sun noon-10pm.
June 19-21
6 Corners BBQ Fest
Chicago: 773-685-9300 www.6cornersbbqfest.com
4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. at Irving Park Rd./Cicero Ave. to Belle Plaine. The city’s newest festival features restaurant vendors serving up BBQ dishes, along with live music.
June 20, 3:30-10pm
Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration
South Elgin: 630-665-7866 www.vasaparkil.com
Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31. Festival opens with dancing around the Maypole followed by crafts and games for children. Bonfire lighting and traditional toast begin at sunset. Supper at 5pm. Please bring a family dish to pass. Admission: Scandinavian Park members free, $5/adult, free ages 12 and under.
June 20-21, Sat. 10am-4pm, Sun. 10am-3pm
Brickworld Chicago – LEGO® Exposition
Schaumburg: 317-572-LEGO (5346) www.brickworld.us/chicago/
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 North Thoreau Dr. See spectacular creations all built from LEGO® bricks by local enthusiasts. Enjoy interactive activities, such as the LEGO® and DUPLO® play brick areas, fighting robots, seek and finds, etc. Buy your favorite sets, mini-figures, and accessories from vendors. General Admission: $10 online in advance, $11 at door, free ages 3 & under. Free parking.
June 20-21, Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 11am-9pm
Chicago Pride Fest
Chicago: chicagopride.gopride.com
Halsted and Waveland. This festival celebrates Chicago’s vibrant LGBT community with a 4-mile parade on Sunday, live music, and great food.
June 23-28
Swedish Days
Geneva: 630-232-6060 www.genevachamber.com
Third St. This ‘Granddaddy’ of Illinois festivals features a host of family-friendly activities with live musical entertainment, a carnival, kids’ day fun, grand parade, Geneva’s Got Talent, multi-ethnic food plus great shopping in our historic downtown. Geneva’s train station is located just blocks away. Charge for some attractions.
June 26-28, Fri. 4pm-midnight, Sat. 3pm-midnight, Sun. noon-midnight
Greek Fest
Palatine: 847-358-5170 www.stnectariosgoc.org
St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church Grounds, 133 S. Roselle Rd. Bring the whole family! Enjoy authentic Greek foods, Greek Taverna, Pastries and Loukoumades (deep fried honey dipped donuts), Greek wines and beer and unique vendors, kids games, Greek music and dancing and much more! $3/person, free ages 12 years and under.
June 26-28
Long Grove Strawberry Festival
Long Grove: www.visitlonggrove.com
Strawberry Fest is the premier outdoor festival for berry lovers in the Chicagoland area. Enjoy decadent strawberry-inspired treats such as chocolate covered strawberries, fruit smoothies, ice creams, donuts, baked goods and, of course, the farm-fresh berries themselves. Music, entertainment, kiddie rides, face painting and more in this quaint village.
June 27, 5:30-11pm
World’s Largest Block Party
Chicago: www.worldslargestblockparty.com
UIC Festival Lot, 1145 S. Morgan St. between Taylor & Roosevelt. This annual event features live entertainment, food and fun. A party for a good cause as funds from this event go toward funding the missions of Old St. Pat’s Church.
June 27, 8am-5pm
Dragon Boat Race for Literacy
Chicago: www.chicagochinatown.org
Ping Tom Memorial Park, 1700 S. Wentworth Ave. Enjoy watching exciting dragon boat races, riding the free trolley around Chinatown, children’s activities and many other fun happenings.
June 27-28, Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. noon-6pm
Little Boots Rodeo & Craft/Vendor Show
Elk Grove Village: 630-766-8980 www.littlebootsrodeo.org
1400 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Families help their children participate in 14 events in a non-competitive atmosphere. After completing all events, children are certified as an official Cowboy or Cowgirl on stage with a certificate! As well as the rodeo, we have general public and family events. Certification events $12.00/punch card (only 1 child per punch card). Other events $2-$3 tickets. Bring a non-perishable food item for each child to donate.
June 27-28, 10am-7pm
LEGO® Pirate Weekend
Schaumburg: www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago, 601 N. Martingale Rd. Blimey! Pirates have landed at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago and need a lively crew to join in a weekend-long celebration loaded with good ole LEGO pirate-themed fun in the new Pirate Adventure Island – a pirate-themed playland with free play and hands-on sensory activities. See website for ticket information.
June 27-28, start time 1am
L.A.T.E. Ride: Light Up the Night
Chicago: www.lateride.org/
Buckingham Fountain, 500 S. Columbus Dr. This night ride to benefit Friends of the Parks starts at 1am and goes past well-known parks and downtown skyscrapers. Ride the beautiful lakefront path under the stars and see the sunrise over Lake Michigan.