Don't just hit the streets. Take them over. Our comprehensive guide to Chicago's fairs, festivals and markets pinpoints the places to be. Continue to check back for updated information about performers and offerings.
Read on for upcoming festivals, each of which links to a details page chock-full of information, music schedules and directions. For a complete list of festivals (including those sadly past), check out this roster.
Version Festival, through May 6
Explore the many versions of art.
Hip Hop Theater Festival, May 1-6
Hip-hop takes the stage at this community-focused event at the MCA.
Cinco De Mayo Festival, May 3-6
Ask for extra Mayo.
Cinco de Mayo, May 4-6
Celebrate in the heart of the Midwest's Mexican community.
Long Grove Chocolate Festival, May 4-6
Chocoholics welcome.
2nd Story, through May 13
Tell your story drinking.
Bach Week Festival, May 4-13
This festival will make you hear beautiful music...literally.
Polish Constitution Day Parade, May 5
Parade your Polish pride.
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, May 9-17
Fight for your right to watch great films.
Manifest Urban Arts Festival, May 11
It's a festival of destiny.
Looptopia, May 11-12
Welcome to the Windy City That Never Sleeps.
Beerfest Chicago: Beer on the Pier, May 15
Taste your way through some of America's finest breweries.
Great Chicago Places and Spaces, May 18-20
Oh, the places you'll go!
Lakeview Mayfest, May 18-20
Miss this well-rounded fest, and you could soon find yourself in the doghouse.
Cuneo Gardens Art Fest, May 19-20
Enjoy art in an artful setting at this Vernon Hills fest.
Japanese Garden Mini-Festival, May 19-20
Explore the famed Japanese gardens with your family.
Gaelic Park Irish Fest, May 25-28
Go green at this Oak Forest celebration.
Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade, May 26
Do you remember the time?
Chicago Antique Market, May 26-October 27
Find a few golden oldies.
Ridge Run/Memorial Day Festival, May 28
Tackle the 111th St. hill, then go check on Teddy in this annual Ridge Park event.
WOOGMS Memorial Day Parade, May 28
Create some memories on Memorial Day.
Chicago Turkish Festival, May 30-June 2
The dervishes will be whirling.
Mayfest Chicago, May 31-June 3
Salute spring with steins in hand at this authentic German Mayfest.
Bike Chicago, May through September
Take off the training wheels and enjoy the summer!
Chicago Gospel Festival, June 1-3
Music so good, it should be a sin!
Chalk Festival, June 2
Be there and fill a square.
Chi-Town Kruze and Car Show, June 2
Show off your clunker before checking out some real cars.
Dance Down Division, June 2
Bop 'til you drop.
57th Street Art Fair, June 2-3
Enjoy some art in historic Hyde Park.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival, June 2-3
Belmont and Sheffield isn't the home of The Vic and Berlin for nothing.
Deerfield Festival of Fine Arts, June 2-3
Browse fine art in the park.
Glencoe Wine Festival, June 2-3
Drink some wine amid the vines.
Promenade of Art Arlington Heights, June 2-3
Take a walk on the Promenade.
Weekend of the Bells, June 3-4
The bells toll for thee.
Ravinia Festival, June 4-September 17
Grab a blanket and enjoy another summer of sounds.
Chicago Blues Festival, June 7-10
Chicago Blues in the capital of blues, the largest free festival of its kind in the world.
St. Michael's Party in the Plaza, June 8-10
Eat and dance in Old Town.
Andersonville Midsommarfest, June 9-10
Celebrate Andersonville's Swedish heritage at this lively fest.
Fiesta Back of the Yards, June 9-10
It's a party in the Jungle.
Old Town Art Fair, June 9-10
Catch a glimpse of the nation's best artists (and gardens) at this historic neighborhood fair.
Printers' Row Book Fair, June 9-10
You won't want to turn the page.
Ribfest Chicago, June 9-10
Eat to a beat in Northcenter.
Wells Street Art Festival, June 9-10
All's well at this fun-filled Old Town art fest.
Puerto Rican Parade/Fiestas Puertoriguenas, June 9-17
Puerto Rico...suave.
Band on the Run Run, June 10
Leave the iPod at home...this event will give you all the pump-up music you need.
Grant Park Music Festival, June 13-August 18
Enjoy some music outside at this classic fest.
Bloomington Gold, June 14-17
Check out some hot cars at this cool St. Charles festival.
Chicago Summerdance Festival, June 14-August 26
School's in for summer.
Bloomsday Celebration, June 15-16
Go to dinner, a movie and more in celebration of James Joyce.
Highland Games and Scottish Festival, June 15-16
Celebrate your Scottish heritage at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds.
Chicago's Festa Pasta Vino, June 15-17
Indulge in Italian delights at this Old World festival.
Taste of Randolph Street, June 15-17
Treat yourself to some fine food and music at this refined West Loop fest.
Calumet/Giles/Prairie Historical Festival, June 16
Enjoy food and music while exploring this historical area.
Artists of the Wall Festival, June 16-17
Be a part of public art as it happens at this Rogers Park festival.
Cantigny Sculpture & Fine Art Festival, June 16-17
Experience history and art at this Wheaton exhibition.
Custer's Last Stand Festival of the Arts, June 16-17
Honor General Custer in style at this lively Evanston event.
Fleece to Fiber, June 16-17
Get your full serving of fiber at this Cantigny Fine Art Festival offshoot.
Juneteenth Festival, June 16-17
Celebrate freedom in Elgin.
Halsted Tastes Better, June 18
Does Halsted actually taste better? You be the judge.
MOBfest, June 21-23
It's one big mob of enthusiasts across the city.
St. Josaphat Summerfest, June 22-24
This fest is phat!
Back Lot Bash, June 23
A hot spot for gay pride.
Pride Fest, June 23
Take in some music, pre-Pride Parade.
Chicago Summerfest in Lincoln Park, June 23-24
Celebrate the summer in the Park.
Fountain Square Arts Festival, June 23-24
There's nothing provincial about the art at this suburban festival.
Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, June 24
Support the Gay and Lesbian community in Lakeview.
Girl Blast, June 24
Get yourself into a lather at Ann Sather.
Windy City Black Pride Festival, June 28-July 2
Pride comes in all colors.
Jeff Fest, June 29-July 1
A great introduction to Jefferson Park.
Fitzgerald's American Music Festival, June 29-July 3
Have a taste for something different? Try Fitzgerald's for an authentic American experience.
Taste of Chicago, June 29-July 8
Fill up on some of Chicago's best grub.
Chicago Country Music Festival, June 30-July 1
Dust off that cowboy hat...
Joliet Fine Art Festival of the Masters, June 30-July 1
Check out a jolly good art fair.
Pizza Fest, June 30-July 1
You can finally get a piece (or eight) of the pie.
Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival, June 30-July 4
Fly high at this Lisle festival.
Naperville Ribfest, June 30-July 4
This ain't your parents' ribfest...actually it kinda is.
Independence Eve Fireworks, July 3
Watch the sky explode in Grant Park.
Wheeling Freedom Fest, July 3-4
Come to this fest for a real freewheeling good time.
African Caribbean International Festival of Life, July 4-7
International, indeed.
Tango Joven Festival, July 6-8
It takes three (days) to tango.
Lakeview Music Fest, July 7-8
This one brings in the good stuff.
Lincolnshire Art Festival, July 7-8
Become an honorary member of the Village Green Art Preservation Society.
St. Andrew's Greek Festival, July 7-8
Go Greek in Edgewater.
Bristol Renaissance Faire, July 7-September 3
Have yourselfe a grande olde tyme at this faire.
Niketown Bastille Day 5K Run/Walk and Block Party, July 12
Work up a sweat in more ways than one at this West Loop gathering.
Railroad Days, July 12-15
Choo choo choose this festival.
Chicago Tribune Magnificent Mile Art Festival, July 13-15
Enjoy art and music at Pioneer Court.
Irish American Heritage Festival, July 13-15
Celebrate your Irish heritage.
Pitchfork Music Festival, July 13-15
Pitchfork returns for another year...and it just keeps getting better (and longer).
Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival, July 14-15
More than 135 artists present.
Celebrate Clark Street, July 14-15
Been to Clark Street before? Celebrate it!
Chicago Folk & Roots Festival, July 14-15
Good music from the Old Town School.
DuSable Museum's Arts & Crafts Festival, July 14-15
Check out unique African-themed art at this South Side institution.
L.A.T.E. Ride 2007, July 14-15
Take a midnight ride around the city.
Rock Around the Block, July 14-15
Experience local music at its best at this festival that lives up to its name.
Chinatown Summer Fair, July 15
Go down to Chinatown for a unique experience.
Dearborn Garden Walk and Heritage Festival, July 15
See how the other half gardens at this annual Gold Coast event.
Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, July 17-August 28
Enjoy film classics throughout the summer in Grant Park.
JVC Jazz Festival, July 20-21
Join in the jazz celebration.
Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party, July 20-21
Meet your match at this famous block party.
The Silver Room's Sound System Block Party, July 21
Summer looks better in silver.
Uptown Summer Unity Festival, July 21
Join up with Chicagoans at Truman College.
Ethnic Arts Festival, July 21-22
Experience art of other cultures...it's good for you.
Sheffield Garden Walk, July 21-22
Get horticultured at this Lincoln Park fest.
Southside Arts and Music Festival, July 21-22
Beat the mid-summer blues in Bridgeport.
Wicker Park Summerfest, July 21-22
Indie eats and beats.
River North Summerfest, July 22
Fun streams in all day.
Lake County Fair, July 24-29
Live it up in Lake County.
Arts & Crafts Expressions, July 26-27
Express your love for art at this downtown fest.
Fiesta del Sol, July 26-29
Have some wholesome fun under the sun at this Pilsen fest.
Newberry Book Fair, July 26-29
Come indulge your inner bibliophile.
Pierogi Fest, July 27-29
Make your way to Whiting for this unique ethnic event.
Bughouse Square Debates, July 28
Lincoln and Douglas have got nothing on this lively festival.
Crossroads Guitar Festival, July 28
Look both ways for legends.
Ghana Fest, July 28
Going, going...Ghana!
Summer on Southport, July 28
Everyone will find something to love at this unique, generation-spanning festival.
Venetian Night Festival, July 28
Need a nightlight? Check out this classic fest by the lake.
Bash on Wabash, July 28-29
Explore all the South Loop has to offer and bring the kids along.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue, July 28-29
You can almost taste the fun.
An Arts Adventure, July 29
Have yourself an adventure.
Gold Coast River North Art Fair, August 3-5
The Coast has the most...art.
Lollapalooza 2007, August 3-5
The mac-daddy of rock fests.
Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival, August 4-5
Check out some art and music with your family.
Retro on Roscoe, August 4-5
Have a blast in the past.
Belize Day in the Park, August 5
Every nation has its day.
Taylor Street Festa Italiana, August 10-12
Your heart and stomach will thank you.
Illinois State Fair, August 10-19
Come see all that the Land of Lincoln has to offer.
Bud Billiken Day Parade, August 11
This Bud's for you.
Art at the Glen Town Center, August 11-12
Fine arts and crafts at the Glen.
Korean Street Festival, August 11-12
Celebrate Korean tradition on the north side.
Northalsted Market Days, August 11-12
The largest two-day street fair in the Midwest.
Palmer Square Boulevard Arts Festival, August 11-12
Arts and more in the palm of your hand.
West Fest, August 11-12
Bring your dog to this grassroots fest in the heart of West Town.
Bolingbrook Dance Festival, August 12
Dance the day away in Bolingbrook.
Greek Festival, August 17-19
It's Gone Greek night on the West Side.
North Side Summerfest, August 17-19
Expect the best at this North Center fest.
Carifete, A Caribbean-American Carnival, August 18
A masquerade on the street in Hyde Park.
Chicago Reggae Festival, August 18
Reggae riddims come to Union Park.
Chicago Air & Water Show, August 18-19
It's a bird, it's a plane...
Accenture Chicago Triathlon, August 24-26
Catch the race for a world record.
DeKalb Corn Fest, August 24-26
This one's not too corny.
Bucktown Arts Fest, August 25-26
Embrace the artsy side of Bucktown.
HAMSA: From the Middle East to the Midwest, August 25-26
Connections will be made.
Highwood Fine Arts Festival, August 25-26
Try something new at this first year fest.
Port Clinton Art Festival, August 25-26
It's at (or near) the top of the suburban art festival heap.
Riverview Music Festival, August 25-26
Get ready to wail on your guitar at this annual event benefiting the Boys & Girls Club.
Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival and Art Fair, August 25-26
Cumbias and salsas, meringues, oh my!
Whole Foods Market Flavor Fest, August 25-26
Naturally, you'll have some wholesome fun at this Lincoln Park fest.
Jammin' at the Zoo, August 27
Music and monkeys...what could be better?
Chicago Jazz Festival, August 30-September 2
Horns of plenty pay tribute to history.
Taste of Polonia, August 31-September 1
Polska! Polska!
African Festival of the Arts, August 31-September 3
Africa comes to Washington Park.
Naperville's Last Fling, August 31-September 3
Bid goodbye to summer with a bash in the 'burbs.
Taste of Serbia, September 1-2
Maybe they should call it Superbia.
Fiesta Boricua, September 2
Show your Puerto Rican pride!
Windy City Wine Festival, September 7-9
Taste wine and more at this downtown fest.
German-American Festival, September 7-9
Enjoy Oktoberfest a month early in Lincoln Square.
Hideout Block Party, September 7-9
Showing you who's king of the block.
Guinness Oyster Festival, September 8
Slurp away at this Wicker Park fest.
Lakeview East Fine Art Festival, September 8-9
Meet and eat in Lakeview.
Ukrainian Village Fest, September 8-9
Dance the day away at this celebration of Ukrainian culture.
Naperville Wine Festival, September 14-15
Head to the 'burbs for more than 150 wines.
Festival De La Villita, September 14-16
Celebrate Mexican independence in the heart of Little Village.
World Music Festival, September 14-20
A round-the-world musical tour.
18th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade, September 15
One independence day celebration is never enough.
Lincoln Square Applefest, September 15
Bobbing encouraged.
Wine Crush in Old Town, September 15
Who needs grand Paris when you have Wells Street?
Celtic Fest Chicago, September 15-16
Refresh your St. Patty's Day spirit in Grant Park.
Chicago's Taste of Romania, September 15-16
Open fire roasting makes for authentic eats.
26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade, September 16
Celebrate Mexican independence in style.
57th Street Children's Book Fair, September 16
It's a reading rainbow on the South Side.
St. Helen Festival, September 20-23
St. Helen must be the patron saint of fun.
Chinese Autumn Moon Festival, September 25
Take time to reflect on the coming harvest.
Mayor Daley's Kids & Kites Festival, September 29
Get a natural high at Montrose Harbor.
43rd Annual Chicago International Film Festival, October 4-17
Just call it Daleywood.
Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival, October 11-14
The arts truly take over the streets at this Wicker Park/Bucktown fest.
Chicago International Children's Film Festival, October 18-28
Kid flicks are fun.
North Halsted Halloween Parade, October 31
Tricks and treats on Halsted.
Christkindlmarket, November 1-December 31
Cheap, chilly shopping for the holidays.
Chicago Latino Book & Family Festival, November 10-11
Drop everything and...head to this educational fest.
