Chicago Street Fests, Concerts and Neighborhood Markets Fill the Weekend With Music, Food and Summer Traditions
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago’s summer calendar is overflowing this weekend, with a long list of street festivals, neighborhood celebrations and live music events spread across the city. From house music and hip-hop to burgers, tamales and outdoor shopping, there is no shortage of ways to spend a day outside.
Several of the biggest draws run Friday through Sunday, including West Fest in West Town, Tacos Y Tamales in Pilsen, Roscoe Village Burger Fest and the Colombian Fest in Humboldt Park.
West Side, Pilsen and Roscoe Village lead the food and music lineup
West Fest returns to Chicago Avenue in West Town with its mix of local food, drinks, shopping and live performances curated by Bass by the Pound and the Empty Bottle. The festival also includes a kids fest and pet fest, with a suggested $10 donation that is not required. Donations support Erie House, Esperanza and Nourishing Hope.
In Pilsen, Tacos Y Tamales brings three days of food, live music and community programming to Blue Island Avenue between Wolcott and Ashland. The event is modeled after a traditional tianguis market and is free to attend, with a suggested donation benefiting local organizations.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest marks its 19th year on Belmont Avenue, where restaurants serve signature burgers alongside live music, a kids zone, arts and crafts and the city’s best burger competition. Admission is free, though a $10 donation to the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is suggested.
Hyde Park, the South Side and the DuSable Museum add more options
For shoppers, Hyde Park’s Summer Sidewalk Sale runs at the Hyde Park Shopping Center courtyard, with businesses at 55th Street and South Lake Park Avenue offering special prices during the event. It is scheduled from Thursday through Saturday.
The DuSable Museum is hosting From the Go Fest, a free hip-hop festival that highlights emerging artists and gives young creatives a chance to help lead a major summer event. Attendees do need to RSVP on the festival website.
Marist High School in Mt. Greenwood is also staging its fifth South Side Summer Festival, a 21-and-older concert that raises money for families receiving financial aid. Father Tom Hurley, who organized the event, said he hopes to bring in $150,000 for scholarships and aid.
Colombian Fest and Silver Room keep the city’s festival season moving
Humboldt Park’s 12th annual Colombian Fest celebrates Chicago’s Colombian community with food and music at North Avenue and Albany Avenue. The event runs Friday through Sunday and adds another neighborhood tradition to the citywide schedule.
At the Salt Shed’s outdoor fairgrounds, the Silver Room Sound System Block Party closes out the weekend with music, art, local vendors and food. The lineup includes Big Dadd Kane, Celeste Alexander, Gilles Peterson, Natasha Digg and more, with tickets starting at $176.
For anyone looking for a distinctly Chicago weekend, the options stretch from free community festivals to ticketed concerts, all packed into a few blocks and a few days.
Chicago's music scene, one story at a time — Chicago Music Guide.
