Chicago 2015 Summer Festival Guide!

As a teacher, I relish the free time I get in the summer. Not only is the weather beautiful (although it doesn't seem to be cooperating this summer… rain, rain go away!) but there are a ton of festivals being held almost every weekend! Now that I am officially on summer vacation (yayy!) I am sharing a list of the festivals in Chicago for the months of July and August. I can't wait to check some of them out!

*Festivals with free admission are denoted with a red FREE*

Weekend of July 3-5

• African/Caribbean International Festival of Life: What? 23rd annual celebration of African and Caribbean culture through music, food, arts, crafts, games and more. Where? Union Park. How much? $5-39

• Windy City Ribfest: What? Exactly what is sounds like! Taste a variety of ribs from BBQ pros. Where? Lawrence Avenue and Broadway in Uptown. How much? $5 suggested donation

• Saturday and Sunday ONLY (July 4-5)
  • Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival: What? Showcase of art in the beautiful Botanic Garden with the chance to see some of the artists at work. Where? Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. How much? FREE admission to festival, regular parking fees apply
  • Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic (Saturday July 4 only): What? This year marks the 25th anniversary of this House Music Festival with a family reunion vibe that now draws thousands of fans. Where? 63rd and Hayes Drive in Jackson Park. How Much? $25-1000

Weekend of July 10-12

• Taste of Chicago: (Actually begins on July 8th): What? Annual outdoor food festival with restaurants from around the city sharing samples of their food. Includes music and activities for the entire family. Where? Grant Park. How much? FREE admission; pay for tickets to taste food from the participating vendors and restaurants

• Square Roots Music Festival: What? The 4th annual craft beer and music experience featuring everything from indie rock to world music. Where? Lincoln Square. How Much? $5-20 suggested donation

• Millennium Art Festival: What? A showcase for local art, food, and music right near Millennium Park. Where? Michigan Ave and Lake Street. How Much? FREE

• Irish American Heritage Festival: What? A celebration of Irish culture with food, drink, performances, children's activities, and of course, kilts. Where? Mayfair. How Much? $5-18

• Windy City Smokeout: What? Come out to enjoy BBQ, country bands, and beer! Where? Grand Avenue and the Chicago River. How much? $40-400

• Ruido Fest: What? Three day music fest featuring bands from all genre's of Latin music including Post-Punk, Electronic, Hip Hop, rock, EDM, Reggae, and Pop. Where? Adams Park in Pilsen. How much? $55-155

• Saturday and Sunday ONLY (July 11-12)
  • Taste of Lakeview: What? Come out to enjoy some food from popular local vendors and restaurants. Where? Belmont and Lincoln Avenues in Lakeview. How much? $5 suggested donation
  • Roscoe Village Burger Fest: What? Enjoy some of the best damn burgers you've ever tried. I went last year and it was heaven. Where? Belmont and Damen Avenues in Roscoe Village. How much? $10 suggested donation
  • West Fest: What? A celebration of local businesses including restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and services. Where? Chicago and Damen Avenues in West Town. How much? $5 suggested donation
  • Mamby on the Beach: What? This music festival is new on the festival scene but with its awesome lineup and location on the beach, it looks to be n epic weekend. Where? Oakwood Beach. How much? $67.50-149

Weekend of July 17-19

• Taste of River North: What? Celebrate the restaurants and chefs of the River North neighborhood while you dance along to live music. Where? A. Montgomery Ward Park in River North. How much? $5 suggested donation, must purchase tickets to try food.

• BenFest: What? Three days of family fun with food, activities for kids, live music, and great prizes, including a Grand Prize Drawing of $10,000! Where? St. Benedict Church on Irving Park Road. How much? $5 suggested donation

• Pitchfork Music Festival: What? Currently in its 10th year, this festival highlights of some of the best up and coming artists on the music scene. Where? Union Park. How much? $65 for single day tickets

• Saturday and Sunday ONLY (July 18-19)
  • Sausagefest: What? Lovers of encased meats must check out this annual event featuring gourmet sausages and the crowing of the new Sausage King. Where? Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville. How much? $5
  • Southport Art Festival: What? An annual event that showcases all mediums of art including acrylic, oil, jewelry, watercolor, sculpture, photography, wood, glass, and much more. Where? Southport and Waveband Avenues. How much? $5 suggested donation
  • Sheffield Garden Walk and Festival: What? Take a self-guided tour through more than 80 gardens at this unique festival. Also features music, food, and activities for the kids. Where? Sheffield and Webster Avenues in Lincoln Park. How much? $7 suggested donation; $10 after 3 PM.
  • Chicago Craft Beer Festival: What? Sample specialty/craft beers and microbrews from Chicago breweries. Where? Sheffield and Webster Avenues. How much? $40 in advance, $45 day of
  • Celebrate Clark Street Festival: What? A cultural explosion in Rogers Park celebrating ethnic food, music, and crafts. Where? Clark Street and Morse Avenue in Rogers Park. How much? $5-10 donation
  • Chinatown Summer Fair (Sunday July 19 only): What? A celebration of Asian culture through food, art, activities, and music and dance performances, including the popular Dragon and Lion Procession. Where? Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road in Chinatown. How much? FREE admission

Weekend of July 24-26

• Jeff Fest Art and Music Festival: What? Quickly becoming one of the summer's most anticipated festivals, this music and art festival features both local and national acts for in the Northwest part of Chicago. Where? Jefferson Memorial Park. How much? $5 (unless your name is Jeff, in which case admission is FREE!)

• Saturday and Sunday ONLY (July 25-26)
  • Chicago Hot Sauce Fest: What? Check out Chicago's hottest festival this summer (literally). Come out to test your taste buds by trying the world's hottest pepper or munch on spicy wings, sauces, jams while enjoying live music. Where? Intersection of Belmont and Elston Avenues in Avondale. How much? $5 suggested donation
  • Taste of Lincoln Avenue: What? Another great fest full of yummy food from local restaurants. Also make sure to check out the kids carnival and Lill Street Craft Fair. Where? Lincoln and Fullerton Avenues in Lincoln Park. How much? $10 suggested donation
  • Randolph Street Market Festival: What? Enjoy acres of shopping both indoors and outdoors in one of Chicago's favorite spots for urban antiques. Includes food, drinks, and entertainment. Where? Beaux Arts Plumber's Hall. How much? $8 in advance, $10 at the gate for general admission
  • Wicker Park Fest: What? 12th annual music festival also featuring food, vendors, and activities for kids. Where? Milwaukee Avenue between North Ave and Paulina in Wicker Park. How much? $5 suggested donation
  • Chicago Margarita Festival (Saturday July 25 only): What? A whole fest dedicated to one of the greatest drinks, margaritas! Includes musical performances. Where? Northerly Island. How much? $10 for designated drivers, $15-100 for admission and tasting tickets

Weekend of July 30-August 2

• Fiesta del Sol: What? This festival annually draws over million people and is considered the largest Latino festival in the Midwest. Come out to celebrate Latin culture through food, music, arts, and carnival rides. Where? Loomis Street and Cermak Road in Pilsen. How much? FREE admission

• Lollapalooza (Friday July 31 – Sunday August 2): What? Annual three-day music festival that features celebrity artists as well as local talent. Where? Grant Park in The Loop. How much? $110 for single day pass; Didn't get a pass? Check out one of the after shows!

• Saturday and Sunday ONLY
  • Edge Fest: What? Held along the lakefront in Edgewater, this festival features music, karaoke, art, and food from local restaurants and vendors. Where? Broadway and Thorndale Avenues in Edgewater. How much? $5 suggested donation
  • Taste of Latin America (Saturday August 1 only): What? A food festival featuring cuisine from the Southern Hemisphere including food, wine, arts, and live entertainment. Where? Armitage and Central Park Avenues in Logan Square. How much? TBA

Weekend of August 7-9

• Chicago Hot Dog Fest: What? Hot dog lovers rejoice! Enjoy some of the finest dogs along with beer, music, and family fun. Where? The Chicago History Museum. How much? FREE admission, pay for meal tickets

• Retro on Roscoe: What? Travel back in time this summer at this festival features throwbacks and oldies along with food and family friendly activities. Where? Damen Avenue and Roscoe Street in Roscoe Village. How much? $10 suggested donation

• Ginza Holiday Festival: What? This year marks the 60th annual festival celebrating Japanese culture and cuisine. The festival features crafts, food, stage performances, cultural exhibits as well as temple visits. Where? Buddhist Temple Grounds on Menomonee street. How much? $6-15

• Saturday and Sunday ONLY (August 8-9)
  • Wrigleyville Summerfest: What? This street festival features live entertainment, family friendly activities, food, and drinks. Where? School Street and Seminary Avenue in Lakeview. How much? $5 suggested donation
  • Northhalsted Market Days: What? Held in Chicago's proudest neighborhood for embracing diversity, this s street festival is one of a kind with unique performances, vendors, food and drink. Where? Halstead Street and Belmont Avenue in Lakeview. How much? $10 suggested donation
  • Bud Billiken Parade (Saturday August 8 only): What? Check out the oldest and largest African American parade in the United States focused on getting kids ready for school. Where? King Drive and 39th street in Bronzeville. How much? FREE

Wednesday, August 12

• Taste of Andersonville: What? This Dinner Crawl is broken into two routes: SALT and PEPPER. Attendees can also chose both (THE WHOLE ENCHILADA) and taste the food from participating restaurants from the Andersonville neighborhood. Where? Swedish American Museum in Andersonville. How much? $25-55

Weekend of August 14-16

• Festa Italiana (begins August 13): What? Chicago's Little Italy hosts this annual fest to celebrate its culture and heritage through food, cooking demonstrations, and fun activities like a meatball eating contest. Where? Ashland Avenue and Taylor Street in Little Italy. How much? $5

• Edison Park Fest: What? This neighborhood event hosts fun activities like a kids parade, a dog show along with food and drink from local vendors. Where? Edison Park. How much? $5 suggested donation

• Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest: What? Over 100 artists gather to showcase their work and hold open studios at this annual event with live entertainment at three outdoor stages.  Where? Glenwood and Morse Avenues in Rogers Park. How much? FREE admission

• Saturday and Sunday ONLY (August 15-16)
  • Chicago Air and Water Show: What? Annual show put on by the US Army and Navy featuring skilled pilots captivating the audience with aerial acrobatics. Where? North Avenue Beach for the best views. How much? FREE
  • Great American Lobster Fest: What? Enjoy lobster flown in fresh from Boston every way you can imagine, from a roll, to tacos, or in the shell. Where? Navy Pier. How much? $39

Thursday, August 20

• Clark After Dark: What? Celebrate the military families of Illinois at this patriotic festival featuring live music, drinks, an auction and a raffle. Where? Clark and Hubbard Streets in River North. How much? $10 suggested donation

Weekend of August 22-23

• Albany Park World Fest: What? This eclectic neighborhood celebrates its diversity with a fest featuring carnival rides, music, food, art and more. Where? Lawrence and Kimball Avenues in Albany Park. How much? $5 suggested donation

• West Loop Art Fest: What? First annual art festival in the ever popular West Loop neighborhood. Where? Halsted and Washington Blvd in the West Loop. How much? Donation based

• Taste of Greektown: What? The epicenter of greek food in Chicago hosts this festival featuring the food of the local restaurants along with music and games! Where? Halsted Street in Greektown. How much? FREE admission

August 25-29

• Chicago Dancing Festival: What? Heralded as the only free festival of its kind, this event centered on dance brings together some of the premiere dance companies from Chicago and across the country. Where? Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. How much? FREE admission

Weekend of August 29-30

• Chicago Food & Wine Festival (Begins August 28): What? In its inaugural year, the Food & Wine Magazine have curated an event full of food and cocktail tastings, cooking demonstrations, book signings and much more. Where? Lincoln Park grove 2 and 3, and Grant Park Grove 4. How much? $75-550

• Bucktown Arts Fest: What? This volunteer-run festival supports funding art education and showcases the artwork of local artists. Where? Holstein Park in Bucktown. How much? FREE admission

• Chicago Fashion Fest: What? This annual event showcases Chicago fashion through outdoor runway shows, food and drinks from local vendors, as well as shopping booths from boutiques and local designers. Where? West Division Street between Damen and Ashland Avenues in Wicker Park. How much? $5 suggested donation

• Randolph Street Market Festival: What? Enjoy acres of shopping both indoors and outdoors in one of Chicago's favorite spots for urban antiques. Includes food, drinks, and entertainment. Where? Beaux Arts Plumber's Hall. How much? $8 in advance, $10 at the gate for general admission

What are your favorite Chicago festivals? Share in the comments below!