Fests and all the rest

Looking for something to do this summer? You don’t have to travel far. Street fests in neighborhoods across Chicago pop up faster than you can pencil them in to your calendar. Everything from food and arts and crafts and music are celebrated each summer, city block by city block and across the region.

Whether it’s down the street, along the lakefront or at the county fairgrounds, there’s something happening outside every day, all summer. Here’s a look at some of the area’s best festivals:

ALL SUMMER

Through Oct. 27,Green City Market: various locations around the city; greencitymarket.org

Through Oct. 30, Chicago City Markets:Through Oct. 30, various locations around the city; chicagocitymarkets.us

Courtesy DCASE

May 26-Aug. 30, Rockin’ in the Park: With Kaleidoscope, The Four C Notes, One of These Nights, 52^nd Street and more. Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont; parkwaybankpark.com

June 4-Aug. 20, Millennium Park Summer Film Series:Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

June 27-Aug. 24, Chicago SummerDance:Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan; chicagosummerdance.org

MAY

May 18-19, Lincoln Park Wine Festival: May 18-19, Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood; chicagoevents.com

The Grid: Summer Guide

The Grid Picks

Eliza Davidson/Sun-Times

Ji Suk Yi is the host of the Sun-Times series “The Grid,” which uncovers the best hidden gems in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. We asked Ji to highlight some can’t-miss spots you should check out while hitting the city’s best summer festivals.

May 18-19, Mayfest:With Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, Too White Crew, 16 Candles and more. 3100 N. Ashland; starevents.com

May 18-19, Chocolate Fest:downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry; longgrove.org

May 18-19, Palos Park Art Festival:8901 W. 123^rd, Palos Park; starevents.com

May 24-26, Gaelic Park Irish Fest: With Nathan Carter, The Fitzgeralds, Backwest Music, Steel City Rovers, Maggie Speaks and more. 147th Street, two miles west of Cicero or one block east of Ridgeland, Oak Forest; visit chicagogaelicpark.org

May 24-26, May 24-26, Mole de Mayo:18^th Street and Halsted; starevents.com

May 31-June 2, Lincoln Park Greek Fest:St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield; chicagoevents.com

May 31-June 2, Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale:on Division between Damen and Leavitt; do-divisionstreetfest.com

May 31-June 8, Physical Theater Festival Chicago:Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont; physicalfestival.com

May 31-June 2, Taste of Mexico:26^th Street and California; chicagoevents.com

May 31-June 9, Pivot Arts Festival:Showcasing innovative theater, music and dance throughout Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods; pivotarts.org

Vital Kopy Media

JUNE

June 1-2, 57th Street Art Fair:on 57th between Kenwood and Woodlawn; 57thstreetartfair.org

June 1-2, Gold Coast Art Fair:Grant Park, Butler Field, between Monroe and Jackson; amdurproductions.com

June 2, Porchfest:Lincoln, Southport and Wellington; lakeviewchamber.com

Andersonville: Summer Guide

Andersonville

The Grid Picks

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Andersonville’s allure is rooted in its Swedish history, walkability, racial and ethnic diversity, LGBTQ-friendly charm and patchwork of independent restaurants and specialty shops. The North Side neighborhood is known for its stretch along Clark Street and mainstays like the bookstore Women & Children First, Hopleaf Bar and Simon’s Tavern. Andersonville Midsommarfest June 7-9 gives you an excuse to visit all of them. — Ji Suk Yi

June 7-9, Andersonville Midsommarfest: Clark and Foster; starevents.com

June 14-16, Ribfest Chicago:at Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park; ribfest-chicago.com

June 8-9, Pilsen Food Truck Social: on 18th St. between Racine and Throop; pilsenfoodtrucksocial.com

June 8-9, Printers Row Lit Fest:on Dearborn between Congress and Polk; printersrowlitfest.org

June 8-9, Old Town Art Fair:around Old Town Triangle Association building, 1763 N. North Park; oldtownartfair.org

June 8-9, Wells Street Art Festival:on Wells between North and Division; wellsstreetartfest.us

June 8-9, Promenade of Art:121 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights; amdurproductions.com

June 9, Boing! Family Festival: Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine; chicagochildrenstheatre.org

June 14-16, Taste of Randolph Street:Randolph and Peoria; starevents.com

June 14-15, Scottish Festival and Highland Games:Hamilton Lakes, 1 Pierce Place, Itasca; scottishfestivalchicago.org

June 14-15, Blues on the Fox Festival:With Taj Mahal Quartet, Ana Popovic, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Coco Montoya, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jamiah Rogers. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; riveredgeaurora.com

June 15, Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest: Lincoln Park, Stockton and LaSalle; chicagoevents.com

June 20-23, Out of Space:With Digable Planets, Toots & the Maytals, Liz Phair, Yo La Tengo. Temperance Beer Co, 2000 Dempster, Evanston; spacepresents.com

June 21-22, Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party:on Des Plaines from Adams to Madison; worldslargestblockparty.com

June 21-23, Strawberry Fest:downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry, Long Grove; longgrove.org

June 22-23, Chicago Pride Fest:on Halsted from Addison to Grace; Chicago Pride Parade,June 30, on Halsted and Broadway between Montrose and Diversey; northhalsted.com

Rick Majewski/For the Sun-Times

June 22-23, Fountain Square Artisan SummerFest:Church and Sherman, Evanston; chicagoevents.com

June 22-23, Festival of Fine Arts.1957 Sheridan, Highland Park; amdurproductions.com

June 26-July 7, Summerfest:With Thomas Rhett, the Outlaw Music Festival (featuring Willie Nelson, Phil Lesh, The Avett Brothers, Counting Crows, Alison Krauss and Dawes), Bon Iver, Lionel Richie, Ozzy Osbourne, The Killers, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and more, along the lakefront, Milwaukee; summerfest.com

June 28-30, Millennium Art Festival:Michigan and Lake; amdurproductions.com

June 28-30, Logan Square Arts Festival:Illinois Centennial Monument on Logan Square; logansquareartsfestival.com

June 29, Pride in the Park:Butler Field, 377 E. Monroe; prideintheparkchicago.com

JULY

July 3-6, Naperville Ribfest:With Billy Idol, Flo Rida, Brantley Gilbert, and plenty of food, family fun. 724 S. West St., Naperville; ribfest.net

Chinatown: Summer Guide

Chinatown

The Grid Picks

Brian Rich/Sun-Times

Chinatown is continually blossoming thanks to steady Asian immigration and a vibrant and engaged Chinese community. There’s a trendy and modern meets old-school and traditional feel in the many new businesses — not just Chinese — that are multiplying in the area. Check out my favorites, like Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings, Bonchon and Slurp Slurp Noodles, while in the area for the Chinatown Summer Fair July 21. — Ji Suk Yi

July 4, Fireworks at Navy Pier:600 E. Grand; navypier.org

July 4, Lake Forest Festival: Deepath Community Park, 400 Hastings, Lake Forest; chicagoevents.com

July 4-6, Windy City Ribfest:Lawrence and Broadway; chicagoevents.com

July 4-7, International Festival of Life:Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph; internationalfestivaloflife.com

July 4-6, Lisle Eyes to the Skies: Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short, Lisle; eyestotheskies.org

July 5-7, West Fest Chicago: on Chicago between Damen and Wood; westfestchicago.com

July 6, Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic and Festival:Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island; chicagoevents.com

July 6-7, Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival: 1000 Lake Cook, Glencoe; chicagobotanic.org

July 10-14, Taste of Chicago: Grant Park, Jackson and Columbus; tasteofchicago.us

July 12: Irish Fest,with McPeake, Tupelo, Shane Hennessy, The Bryne Brothers, House of Hamill and more. Through July 14, Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox; irish-american.org

July 12-14, Square Roots Festival:on Lincoln between Montrose and Wilson; squareroots.org

July 13-14, Southport Art Festival:Southport and Waveland; starevents.com

July 13-14, Roscoe Village Burger Fest:Belmont and Damen; chicagoevents.com

July 21, Chinatown Summer Fair:2200 S. Wentworth; chicagoevents.com

July 17-21, Kane County Fair: Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles; kanecountyfair.com

July 19-21, Sheffield Street Fest: on Sheffield between Webster and Fullerton; sheffieldneighborhood.org

July 19-21, Taste of River North: Ward Park, 630 N. Kingsbury; tasteofrivernorth.com

July 19-20, Artfest Michigan Avenue: 435 N. Michigan; amdurproductions.com

July 19-21, BenFest: St. Benedict Parish, 2215 W. Irving Park; parish.stbenedict.com

July 19-21, Colombian Fest:With Lisandro Meza, Grupo Niche, Alex Manga, Adalberto Santiago and more. Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood; colombianfestchicago.com

July 20-21, Sheffield Garden Walk:on Sheffield between Webster and Fullerton; sheffieldneighborhood.org

July 20-21, Chicago Craft Beer Fest: on Lincoln between Addison and Roscoe; chicagoevents.com

July 24-28, Lake County Fair:Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake; lcfair.com

July 26-28, Wicker Park Fest: on Milwaukee between Ashland and North; wickerparkfest.com

July 27-28, Taste of Lincoln Avenue:on Lincoln between Fullerton and Wrightwood; chicagoevents.com

July 27-28, Glencoe Festival of Art:Green Bay and Park, Glencoe; amdurproductions.com

AUGUST

Aug. 2-4, Jeff Fest:Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long; chicagoevents.com

Aug. 2-29, Black Harvest Film Festival:Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State; siskelfilmcenter.org

Aug. 2-4, Festa Italiana:Naper Settlement, Webster and Aurora, Naperville; starevents.com

Aug. 3-4, Edge Fest:Broadway and Thorndale; starevents.com

Aug. 3-4, Art at the Glen: 2030 Tower, Glenview; amdurproductions.com

Aug. 3-4, Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets: on Hubbard between Paulina and Wood; dancinginthestreetschicago.com

Aug. 8-11, Out of Space: With Jeff Tweedy, Cake, Bruce Hornsby, Mandolin Orange, I’m With Her, Suzanne Vega, Ohmme and more. Canal Shores Golf Course, 1030 Central, Evanston; spacepresents.com

Aug. 8-18, Illinois State Fair:With Dan & Shay, The Traveling Salvation Show, Why Don’t We, Pentatonix, Old Dominion, Snoop Dogg & Friends, Reba McEntire , Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield; https://www2.illinois.gov/statefair/Pages/default.aspx

Aug. 9-11, , Retro on Roscoe:Roscoe and Damen; starevents.com

Aug. 9-11, Ginza Holiday Festival:Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W. Menomonee; ginzaholiday.com

Aug. 9-11, Festival Cubano:Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton; thecubanfestival.com

Aug. 10: The 90th Annual Bud Billiken Parade: intersection of King Drive and Oakwood Boulevard; http://www.budbillikenparade.org/

Aug. 10: Made in Chicago Market, 1340 W. Washington; https://www.madeinchicagomarket.com/

Aug. 10-11, North Halsted Market Days:on Halsted between Belmont and Addison; chicagoevents.com

Aug. 10-11, Lincolnshire Art Festival: Milwaukee and Olde Half Day Rd., Lincolnshire; amdurproductions.com

Aug. 15, Clark After Dark:Clark and Hubbard; starevents.com

Aug. 15-18, Milwaukee Irish Fest:Maier Park, 200 N. Harbor, Milwaukee; irishfest.com

Aug. 16-18, Evanston Art and Big Fork Festival:downtown Evanston; amdurproductons.com

Greektown: Summer Guide

Greektown

The Grid Picks

Ji Suk Yi/Sun-Times

Early on, it was an stopping point for newly arrived Greek immigrants who built up a vibrant community with many old world influences, especially Greek restaurants. Locals and visitors alike still flock there to enjoy the Greek culture, entertainment and, of course, the food. There will be plenty of it at Taste of Greektown Aug. 23-25. Come for the flaming cheese, stay for the incredible hospitality authentic food and vibrant culture. — Ji Suk Yi

Aug. 17, Dance for Life:With Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Dance Crash, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.; chicagodancersunited.org

Aug. 17-18, Chicago Air and Water Show:North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore; chicagoairandwatershow.us

Aug. 17-18, Pilsen Fest:on Blue Island Avenue between 18^th and 21^st; pilsenfestchicago.com

Aug. 17-18, Sangria Festival:Humboldt Park; sangriafestivalchicago.com

Aug. 17-18, Vintage Days:downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry, Long Grove; longgrove.org

Aug. 22-25, Wizard World Comic Con Chicago:Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont; wizardworld.com/comiccon/chicago

Marin Scott

Aug. 23-25, Taste of Greektown:Halsted and Van Buren; chicagoevents.com

Aug. 24-25, Bucktown Arts Fest: Oakley and Lyndale; bucktownartsfest.com

Aug. 24-25, Port Clinton Art Festival:600 Central, Highland Park; amdurproductions.com

Aug. 1-Sept. 2, Irish Days:downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry, Long Grove; longgrove.org

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 6-8, Festival de la Villita:26th Street and Kostner; chicagoevents.com

Sept. 6-8, Throwback Music Festival:Milwaukee and Peterson; chicagoevents.com

Sept. 7-8, Renegade Craft Chicago: on Division between Damen and Ashland; renegadecraft.com

Sept. 7-8, Deer Park Art Show:Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand; andurproductions.com

Sept.14-15, Printers Row Art Fest:47 W. Polk; amdurproductions.com

Sept. 14-15, Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Festival: Damen and Roscoe; chicagoevents.com

Sept. 14-15, Lakeview East Festival of the Arts:on Broadway from Belmont to Hawthorne; lakevieweastfestivalofthearts.com

Sept. 20-22, Apple Fest:downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry, Long Grove; longgrove.org

Sept. 21, Lake Forest Fall Fest:Lake Forest City Hall, 220 Deerpath; chicagoevents.com

Little Village: Summer Guide

Little Village

The Grid Picks

Brian Rich/Sun-Times

Little Village, often called “Mexico of the Midwest,” has a 2-mile stretch on 26th Street that has its own nickname: the “second Magnificent Mile.” The highest-grossing shopping and tax revenue hub in the city after Michigan Avenue, it’s lined with independent storefronts and colorful restaurants that awaken and envelop the senses. Festival de la Villita Sept. 6-8 takes place right at the center of this neighborhood hub. — Ji Suk Yi

Sept. 21-22, Andersonville Arts Fest:Clark and Winona; amdurproductons.com

Sept. 21-22, Chicago Food Truck Fall Festival:LaBagh Woods, 5275 N. Cicero; chgofoodtruckfest.com

Sept. 21-22, Sam Adams Lakeview Taco Fest:on Southport between Addison and Roscoe; chicagoevents.com

Sept. 21-22, Northshore Affordable Art Show:Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, 4905 Old Orchard, Skokie; amdurproductions.com

Sept. 21-22, Arboretum of South Barrington Art Festival:100 W. Higgins, South Barrington; amdurproductions.com

Sept. 27-29, Oktoberfest Chicago:at Lincoln, Southport and Wellington; chicagoevents.com

Sept. 27-28, West Town Art Walk,on Chicago between Milwaukee and Western; westtownchicago.com

Sept. 28-29, Edgewater Arts Festival:Broadway and Granville; starevents.com