July Festivals 2023

JULY

July 1 -2

NASCAR IN CHICAGO

Grant Park (Jackson-Roosevelt/DuSable LSD to Michigan)

Sat 4 pm, Sun 4:30 pm

The Rising Stars of NASCAR take to the track Saturday afternoon for the 55-lap (121 miles) NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Sunday, the Biggest Names in Racing do battle for 100 laps in the NASCAR Cup Series' Inaugural Grant Park 220. There are also driver autographs and Q&A sessions, interactive displays, concerts by The Chainsmokers and the Black Crowes July 1, Miranda Lambert and Charley Crockett July 2.

July 1-4

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF LIFE

Washington Park 55th & Cottage Grove

Noon-10 pm

Annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life (IFOL) marks 30th anniversary of showcasing music, food, arts, crafts, games and more. Admission: $15-$100. festivalnet.com/60714/Chicago-Illinois/Festivals/International-Festival-of-Life-Ifol

July 7-9

SQUARE ROOTS FESTIVAL

4400-4560 N. Lincoln in Lincoln Square Fri 5-10 pm, Sat Noon-10 pm, Sun Noon-9 pm

Savor the best of Lincoln Square with live music, neighborhood restaurant and craft vendors, craft beer, and a kids’ zone. Proceeds benefit small business workshops and community place-making efforts through the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. They also fund Old Town School of Folk Music scholarships and free community programming. squareroots.org

July 7-9

SPRING AWAKENING

Addams-Medill Park, 1301 W. 14th St. Fri 5-10 pm, Sat & Sun 1-10 pm

Summer dance festival celebrates a variety of genres within electronic dance music. carnifest.com/spring-awakening-musicfestival-2023

July 7-9

ROSCOE VILLAGE BURGER FEST

2000 W. Belmont Ave. (@ Damen)

Fri 5-10 pm, Sat & Sun 11 am-10 pm

Choose from 10 contenders for Chicago’s best burger, enjoy arts & crafts, kids’ zone. Sizzlin’ hot fest features live music on two stages. Headliners include Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press, Wedding Banned, The Chain, Trippin Billies, Boy Band Review. $10 suggested donation benefits Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. chicagoevents.com/events/roscoe-villageburger-fest

July 7-9

WEST FEST

1800-2000 W. Chicago Ave.

b/t Wood & Damen

Fri 5-10 pm, Sat & Sun Noon-10 pm West Town Chamber of Commerce event emphasizes local offerings and talent, neighborhood retailers and restaurants, fine artists and makers as vendors. Live music programmed by Empty Bottle Presents and a West Fest Chicago House DJ stage. Pet Fest (Noon-6 Sat/Sun) offers obstacle course, paw painting, pet retail and service booths. Kids’ Fest (Noon-7 Sat/Sun), on Wolcott between Chicago & Rice, will have train rides, pony rides, bounce house, vendors and live entertainment stage. $10 suggested donation. www.westtownchamber.org/west-fest-chicago

July 8

CHOSEN FEW OLD SCHOOL REUNION

Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.

8 am-10 pm

Founded by Wayne Williams in 1977, the Chosen Few Disco Corp. are popular DJs from Chicago’s South Side – Williams,

Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King and Andre Hatchett – who were part of the first wave of DJs and producers who created Chicago House Music. Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn joined the Chosen Few in 2006 and 2012, respectively. Expect to party with 40,000 people. Special guests include Kenny Dope, John Morales, Jamie 3:26, Stan Zeff, Lori Branch; performances by Bebe Winans and Lidell Townsell. chicagoevents.com/events/old-school-reunionpicnic

July 8-9

BARRIO ARTS FESTIVAL

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St. Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm

Free festival showcasing Puerto Rican community, food, music, handmade crafts, and overall culture. nmprac.org/event/23rdannual-barrio-arts-festival

July 8-9

SOUTHPORT ART FEST

W. Waveland Ave. & N. Southport Ave. Sat & Sun 10 am-7 pm

Find an assorted mix of fine art: oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, photography, wood, fiber, glass, paper, metal and mixed media. Interactive games and activities for kids. Proceeds benefit Southport Neighbors Association. FREE admission. www. starevents.com/event/southport-art-fest

July 11-August 29

MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER FILM SERIES

Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph Tues 6:30 pm

Watch films on state-of-the art, LED, 40foot screen. Selections include 2023 Best Picture Oscar winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Clueless,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Barbershop” and more. FREE. millenniumpark.org

July 13-16

WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT

Outside the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Enjoy finger-lickin’ good BBQ from the world’s top pitmasters, beer from local and national breweries, the best of country music from both up-andcoming and renowned artists: Zach Bryan, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band. Children under 10 admitted free. Gen Admission Thurs $85 (sold out), Fri $59.95, Sat $99.95, Sun $59.95, VIP/Platinum/Cabanas available at windycitysmokeout.com

July 14-16

FORGE FEST

1001 Main St., Lemont

Music, vendors, fireworks set in reclaimed natural quarry landscape. forgeparks.com

July 14-16

MILLENNIUM PARK ART FESTIVAL

Michigan Ave. & E. Lake St. Fri-Sun 10-5 pm

120+ juried artists and artisans offering original paintings, ceramics, photography, furniture, and more, at all price points. Festival food and live music. FREE. amdurproductions.com/event/2023-millenniumart-festival

July 14-16

CHICAGO CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood Ave. Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 11 am-10 pm, Sun 11 am-7 pm

Come to hops heaven in two-hour tastings, limited to 600 persons at a time. Expect a sellout – so buy your tickets early at chicagoevents.com/event/chicago-craftbeer-fest

July 14-16

EL GRAN FESTIVAL COLOMBIANO AL PARQUE

3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Annual festival is an official celebration of Colombian independence, declared on July 20 more than 200 years ago. Main stage entertainment includes Yeison Jimenez, Elder Dayan Diaz, Milly Quezada, Willy Garcia. Single-day tickets $32+; VIP available at colombianfestchicago.com

July 15

Taste of Chicago

Pullman Park, 11101 S. Cottage Grove Ave. “Taste” moves from downtown to neighborhoods on select Saturdays, before returning to Grant Park in early September. FREE admission. Food available with tickets. www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/ supp_info/taste_of_chicago.html

July 16

SUNDAYS ON STATE

State & Lake streets

11 am- 6 pm

Interactive block party with culture, art, stimulating recreation, drinks, shopping in the heart of the Loop. FREE.

July 19-23

ROTARY FEST

164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village Wed-Thur 6-10:30 pm, Fri 6 pm-Midnight, Sat 2 pm-Midnight, Sun 2-9 pm

Headliners Thurs-Sat include All-American Rejects, Anthem, Kashmir: The Led Zeppelin Concert and 7th Heaven. Food, beer, wine and seltzers for purchase; carnival rides; Saturday 9:30 p.m. fireworks. Fundraiser for the Elk Grove Rotary Club helps food pantries, literacy and homeless programs locally, and international projects for clean water. www.elkgroverotaryfest.com

July 20

TACO CRAWL

Clark Street, from Devon to Rogers Thurs 3-7 pm

Pick up your passport at 7056 N. Clark St. and visit 10 - 15 restaurants for single price ($20 in advance, $30 day-of) Sponsored by the Rogers Park Business Alliance. Info and tickets at business.rpba.org/events/ details/taco-crawl-10670

July 21-23

TASTE OF LINCOLN AVENUE

2500 N. Lincoln Ave. (Fullerton to Wrightwood) Fri 3-10 pm, Sat & Sun Noon-10pm

Local food favorites, arts & crafts, whiskey tasting, main stage with local and regional entertainment. Beneficiary is the Wrightwood Neighbors Association. chicagoevents.com/events/taste-of-lincoln-avenue

July 21-23

PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Union Park, Entrance on Ashland & Washington Blvd./Ogden Ave. Gates open daily at Noon

Pitchfork brings the best up and coming music from around the world as well as touring stalwarts and legends to 60,000 attendees. Expect the best restaurants, onsite vinyl shop, craft fair. The fest supports the Chicago arts and food communities as a whole. Headliners include The Smile, Alvvays, Perfume Genius, Big Thief, Weyes Blood, King Krule, Bon Iver, Kelela, Koffee. Kids under 10 admitted free. Singleday tickets $109, 3-day $239, Plus tix $229/$439. pitchforkmusicfestival.com

July 22-23

GLENCOE FESTIVAL OF ART

700 Vernon Ave., Glencoe

10 am-5 pm

Shop from 90+ artists in downtown Glencoe. amdurproductions.com/event/2023glencoe-festival-of-art

July 22-23

RAVENSWOOD ON TAP

Sat Noon-10 pm, Sun Noon-6 pm Hyper-local festival introduces you to the brewers and distillers of Malt Row: Begyle Brewing, Cultivate by Forbidden Root, Dovetail Brewery, Half Acre Beer Company, Hop Butcher for the World, KOVAL Distillery, LaGrow Organic Beer Company, Odious Cellars, Spiteful Brewing. Enjoy special tappings, axe throwing, handmade crafts from local artists and a killer music lineup, including Dos Santos; She’s Crafty, Chicago’s All-Female Beastie Boys Tribute Band; Serengeti; CalicoLoco; The Avondale Ramblers and more. Proceeds support Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (501c6), Ravenswood Community Council (501c3), Friends of Ravenswood Elementary 501(c)(3), local greening and public art projects. ravenswoodchicago. org/signature-events/ravenswood-on-tap RSVP on Facebook. Tickets &55+.

July 23

RHYTHM WORLD

J. Pritzker Pavillion, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Noon

Celebrating its 35th anniversary season, Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) will present free performances, classes and interactive events in collaboration with Natya Dance Theatre, Chicago Dance Crash, Collaborative Institute of Cultural Arts, and Ayodele Drum & Dance throughout the park, with a culminating performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. chicagotap.org

July 23

TASTE OF SUMMER

St. Ita parking lot, 5500 N. Broadway

After 8:30 am mass, until 7 pm

Food and music from within the ethnic communities of the combined Mary, Mother of God parish. FREE admission to the public. Food for sale.

July 26-30

LAKE COUNTY FAIR

1060 E. Peterson Rd, Grayslake Wed-Thurs 10 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-midnight, Sun 10-8 pm (livestock events 8 am)

Celebrate the fair’s 94th year – it’s kind of a Pig Deal! This is where Lake County comes to compete: from quilts to cattle, pickles to petunias, sheep to scrapbooks. Enjoy Canine Stars Stunt Dogs show, pig races, motocross, demo derby, truck and tractor pulls, live entertainment; petting zoo. Adult tickets $11 in May, $12 June, $15 July; Seniors/age 6-12-$5; under 5 FREE. lcfair.com

July 27-30

LINCOLNWOOD FEST

Henry A. Proesel Park, 6915 N. Kostner, Lincolnwood Thurs 5-10 pm, Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 1-11 pm, Sun 1-9 pm

Enjoy live bands, carnival rides, games and midway; Family Fun Fest 10 am-2 pm Sat and Sun; Classic Car Show 10 am-1 pm Sunday; Lincolnwood Chamber of Commerce business expo 1-4 pm Sunday; Beer & Wine Garden, 5 pm through last band Thurs and Fri, and starting at 3:30 pm on Sat and 2:30 pm on Sunday. ChosenFew Picnic & Festival

July 27-30

FIESTA DEL SOL

On Cermak Road, Ashland to Morgan (1600-1000 W)

Celebrating its 51th anniversary, this largest Latino fest of its kind in U.S. features authentic tacos, tamales and tostadas; music from established and up-and-coming talent, carnival rides, vendors, and more. It provides an economic engine for Pilsen business and supports the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, whose mission since the 1970s has been to develop community leaders and bring about civic engagement and action. fiestadelsol.org

July 28-29

TASTE OF RIVER NORTH

Wells Street, Ontario to Superior Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 11 am-10 pm River North Residents Association showcases the best their ’nabe has to offer, from world-class food, art, and design, to family fun, party bands and a dog parade – all with an eye to the environment.

July 28-30

WICKER PARK FEST

Milwaukee Ave. from North Ave. to Ashland

Stellar indie music line-up of 50+ local bands, 200+ participating small businesses, installations by local artists, kid-friendly spaces, local food vendors, and more. The longest street fest on the North Side celebrates the neighborhood’s rich musical heritage, vibrant nightlife and acclaimed restaurants. www.wickerparkbucktown. com/embedded/home-mid-wpfest

July 29

WORDS OF WONDER LITERARY FESTIVAL

Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field at Gately Park, 10201 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

11 am-5 pm

Interactive literacy and art programming, community resources, animated storytelling by Black authors and illustrators, diverse group of book vendors and installations for all ages, story-based dance, interactive writing workshops, Indigenous and African styled drumming, a wide range of live music, healthy food choices and snacks, and giveaways.

July 29-30

RANDOLPH STREET MARKET

1341 W. Randolph St.

10 am-5 pm

Chicago’s version of the market at London’s Portobello Road, this is the place to find on-trend pieces you see in influencers’ homes, as well as the unexpected in décor, vintage clothes, jewelry and books. General Admission $12; Seniors/Kids $5; under 12 FREE. randolphstreetmarket.com

July 29-30

BANTU FEST

1130 Midway Plaisance (near 60th & Ellis) One-of-a-kind event entertains and educates people of all nations on 30 featured countries, through music, food, culture, history, and more. Admission $10+ at Eventbrite.

July 29-30

ART AT THE GLEN

2030 Tower Drive, Glenview Sat & Sun 10-5 pm

140+ juried artists will sell one-of-a-kind pieces in a variety of media: painting, photography, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, wood, fiber and more! Non-stop live music on three stages, activities and art projects for kids. Bring gently used wall art to the festival, where it will be donated to the Chicago Furniture Bank, a nonprofit that distributes furnishings and art to those leaving shelters and moving into permanent housing. amdurproductions.com/ event/2023-art-at-the-glen

July 29-30

CHINATOWN SUMMER FAIR

Wentworth Ave. from Cermak Ave. to 24th Sat Noon-10 pm, Sun 10-7 pm

Neighborhood street festival opens with a Lion Dance procession and offers art, great cuisine, activities for families and children. FREE. chicagoevents.com/event/ chinatown-summer-fair