Five Chicago Summer Festivals Heat the Streets

BY WHITNEY HEWITT

Chicagoans are anxiously awaiting summer and all of the things that come along with it – sunbathing on Lake Michigan, rooftop patios, picnics in Millennium Park and of course, the summer festivals.

As if we weren’t already pysched for a summer of enjoying everything from music to art to grub, we were inspired by RedEye Chicago’s comprehensive guide to Chicago summer festivals.

Below are our favorite picks for summer fests. Will we see you there?

Randolph Street Market Festival: This European-style urban antique market in the West Loop features 200 sellers offering furnishings, vintage clothing, jewelry, collectibles, etc.  Stroll through the indoor-outdoor market to find everything from high quality designs to amazingly priced creative inspiration. May 26 -27, 10am – 6pm; 1340 W. Washington St.

Chicago Blues Festival – The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues fest in the world, spanning three days on five stages.  Over 500,000 blues fans gather in Grant Park to prove that Chicago is the “Blues Capital of the World.” June 8 -10, 11am – 9pm; Grant Park.

Taste of Randolph – Top-rated West Loop neighborhood restaurants come together with talented artisans for this cross-cultural celebration.  The six-block stretch of Randolph Streets attracts city dwellers, suburbanites and tourists in excess of 100,000. June 15-17, Friday 5pm – 11pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 10pm; 900 – 1200 W. Randolph Street.

Lollapalooza – This three-day music festival brings some of the biggest names in music to Grant Park, with 130 of the most buzzworthy bands from across the globe.  This year’s headliners include Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, and Jack White. August 3-5; Grant Park.

Clark After Dark – Support Illinois Troops and their families this summer at the annual Clark After Dark Block Party.  This festival, presented by USO of Illinois, promises great food, awesome bands, and much more. August 23, 4pm – 10pm; 420 N. Clark.

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