(Photo by Chicago DCASE)
1. Boogie
Music floods Millennium Park as the Chicago Blues Festival returns on a trio of stages. Headliners include Shemekia Copeland (Thursday), Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues (Friday), Ronnie Baker Brooks (Saturday) and Eric Gales (Sunday). Performances will also be held in Austin, Bronzeville and along the Chicago Riverwalk.
Details: Noon-9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Free / MAP
Find more fests: 2022 Summer Festival Guide
2. Treasure
This year’s Pivot Arts Festival highlights artists’ resilience and ability to adapt during the pandemic with films and videos, live performances, works-in progress and community gatherings.
Details: Times vary Friday through June 18 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway St. Free-$35 / MAP
3. Shake it
Salsa, merengue, bomba and plena music by local and Puerto Rican bands are on tap for Fiestas Patronales Puertorriquenas. The annual parade (2 p.m. Saturday) featuring floats, marching groups and local bands steps off at Division Street and Western Avenue.
Details: 2-10 p.m. Thursday; 4-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Humboldt Park, 2800 W. Division St. Free-$10 / MAP
4. Taste
Dozens of vendors are serving up 100% vegan fare at Chicago Vegandale Festival , including lobsta mac and cheese by Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood Co., ice cream by BRICS and mushroom jerky by Vegky.
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Park, Butler Field, South Lakeshore Drive and East Monroe Street. $10-$15 / MAP
5. Frolic
Named for the neighborhood’s Swedish heritage, Andersonville Midsommarfest features traditional Swedish activities, including a dance around the maypole, as well as kids activities and music and entertainment performances across five stages.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Clark Street between Catalpa and Foster avenues. $15 suggested donation / MAP
(Photo by Timmy Samuel-Starbelly Studios)
6. Jam
Hyde Park Summer Fest returns to the South Side with 20 musical performances, including sets by Busta Rhymes, Ashanti and Lupe Fiasco (Saturday) and Jhene Aiko, Lucky Daye and Marsha Ambrosius (Sunday).
Details: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Midway Plaisance, 59th Street and Ellis Avenue. $109 / MAP
7. Discover
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art Maker’s Market features more than 20 local vendors and seeks to honor artists’ perseverance during the past two years of the coronavirus pandemic.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W. Chicago Ave. $5 / MAP
8. Create
Print Pollination uses papermaking, printmaking and zinemaking to connect our stories to the natural environment. The pop-up event is part of a series that centers on queerness, migration and home that engages the outdoors as a community art studio.
Details: 2-5 p.m. Saturday at Burnham Park Wildlife Corridor Caracol Gathering Space, east of lakefront trail, south of McCormick Place and north of 31st Street Beach. Free / MAP
9. Be fancy
Fans of the Emmy-nominated Netflix series historical romance “Bridgerton,” this one’s for you. “The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience” features period costumes and decor, a dance performance, music inspired by the show’s soundtrack, interactive experiences and, of course, lots of photo ops.
Details: Times vary Thursday-Sunday through June 19 at XS Tennis and Education Foundation, 5336 S. State St. $45-$68 / MAP
10. Browse
The Wells Street Art Festival spotlights the work of more than 140 artists from across the country from woodworking and metalsmithing to ceramics and jewelry. Live music and performances by the Jesse White Tumblers are also on tap.
Details: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday along Wells Street between North Avenue and Division Street. $10 suggested donation / MAP
(Courtesy Special Events Management)
Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.
