How to Find Festivals and Special Events in Chicago

In addition to the major festivals and events listed here, Chicago is famous for neighborhood festivals held throughout the year. A variety of ethnic and cultural festivals are also popular, so be sure to check the Related Sites for a current schedule of events.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Chicago-area Maps
• Local Newspapers
• Plane Or Train Tickets To Chicago

Spring/Summer

1. Listen to the best in gospel music at the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, held in early June in Grant Park. Billed as the largest free event of its kind, the three-day celebration of gospel music features dozens of performances on three stages.
2. Attend the Taste of Chicago, one of the city's most popular events, held in late June in Grant Park. More than 70 area restaurants offer the best in cuisine, and there's plenty of top-notch live entertainment. The 11-day affair draws more than 3 million people annually.
3. See the Venetian Night celebration - Chicago's longest-running lakefront event - in late July. Half a million people gather on the shore of Lake Michigan to hear a free concert in Grant Park, then watch a parade of lighted boats. A fireworks show tops off the evening.
4. Join in the Chicago International Salsa Festival in late August. Clubs throughout Chicago will feature salsa music and special events for five nights. Consider purchasing a Premium Pass, which will get you into every event.
5. Don't miss the world-famous Chicago Jazz Festival, held over Labor Day weekend at a variety of local venues. Top names in jazz are the featured performers, and more than 20 live performances take place in Grant Park.

Fall/Winter

6. Start the fall season with the World Music Festival Chicago, held in late September at a variety of local venues. You'll hear international artists from dozens of countries, plus take in workshops and other educational events.
7. Appreciate the city's Celtic traditions at Celtic Fest, held in mid-September. Celtic music (including a bagpipe competition) and dance are showcased in a variety of performances.
8. Take the whole family to the Kids and Kites Fest in late September. You can show off your kite masterpiece, learn the subtleties of kite flying or simply watch all the colorful kites in the air. Live entertainment accompanies most events.
9. Don't miss the Chicago International Film Festival in early October. For more than 35 years, this juried festival has screened a wide variety of films and presented such distinguished actors as Spike Lee, Billy Bob Thornton, Sophia Loren and Jodie Foster.
10. Usher in Halloween at Chicagoween, a citywide tribute to the spooky holiday. It includes a Halloween Happening parade; a dressed-up Pumpkin Plaza (downtown's Daley Plaza); and the Haunted L, with trains decorated in a Halloween theme - complete with dressed-up ghosts and goblins.
11. Enjoy WinterBreak in January, February and March. This winter festival features special events such as the Magnificent Mile Crystal Carnival, theme weekends with appropriate music and programs and a Kid's Day at the Navy Pier.

Tips & Warnings

• Taste of Chicago draws huge crowds to the city, so check the dates and be sure to secure lodging reservations well in advance of your trip.
• Tickets for some of Chicago's largest events sell out fast. Be sure to reserve ahead so you won't be disappointed.