Chicago summer festivals guide

Enjoy the best beer Chicago and the Midwest have to offer while sampling brews from more than 80 participating breweries, including local standbys and national favorites such as Half Acre, Dovetail, Whiner and more. Attendees receive 48 two-ounce samples, as well as access to exclusive beers, activities and interactive learning opportunities to get better educated about the beer-making process. Beer drinkers are also able to cast their votes for the best beer of the day, with the winning beverage receiving the Most Valuable Brew award. Ticket prices for this fest will rise as the event draws closer.

Celebrate the arrival of spring at this free, outdoor family-friendly festival at Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park, where kids can fly a kite or watch professional demonstrations. Free paper kites will be provided, but families will also be able to purchase more intricate flying creations from a variety of vendors.

Illinois Craft Beer Week kicks off with this annual event at Garfield Park Conservatory, where you can sample some of the finest ales and lagers from local and national breweries amid a sea of foliage. If you're trying to narrow down your list of Craft Beer Week events, this is a good place to separate the worthwhile breweries from the ones you'll save for your next trip to Binny's. Tickets include samples from each of the brewers in attendance and access to grub from local food trucks.

Dig into tacos, grilled cheese, doughnuts, pierogis and more at this annual feast hosted by the Lincoln Park Zoo. A $10 ticket gives you access to dozens of local food trucks, including Aztec Dave's, Cheesie's, Piegogi Wagon, Harold's Chicken and the Roaming Hog.

Celebrate the arrival of summer a few weeks early at ComEd's annual season-changing ritual, which culminates with Buckingham Fountain being turned on at 2pm. Meteorologist Tom Skilling hosts the party, with live music from local cover band Sixteen Candles.

If you don't see the magazines and comics you want to read in the world, why not create ‘em yourself? At Chicago Zine Fest, makers of DIY publications gather for three days of sharing knowledge, stories and enthusiasm for handmade art. On Thursday and Friday, attendees can gather at DePaul University, Quimby's Bookstore and the Cards Against Humanity Theater to attend readings, panels and a zine quiz show. On Saturday, the festivities move to the Plumbers Union Hall, where creators from across the country will be selling homemade books, comics, magaziners, posters and more.

With four sessions to choose from, the annual Lincoln Park Wine Fest offers a chance to unwind and enjoy the warm spring weather with a glass of vino in your hand. Attendees recieve 12 tasting tickets to use throughout their session, choosing from a selection of sparkling wines, whites, reds and roses. There's also a lineup of mellow live music (no ‘80s rock cover bands here) and food to pair with your favorite glass of wine.

Head to Lakeview to kick off street festival season beneath a gigantic big-top tent, stocked with food and plenty of beverages. The music lineup at this year's Mayfest features all the cover acts you'll be seeing at fests throughout the summer, including Sixteen Candles, Too White Crew and Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press.

Chicago Loop Alliance's pop-up party series returns to alleys and other unexpected downtown locations this summer, giving you a good reason to hang out on a street after work. Joining the city's celebration of the Chicago Year of Theater, all four ACTIVATE events will be centered around the local performing arts community, including drag performers, lighting designers, stage decorators, comedians and circus acts. The location of each party is typically announced a few weeks before the event takes place. Don't forget to RSVP for ACTIVATE to receive a complimentary drink ticket (good for beer, wine or cocktails) when you show up.

Head to Lincoln Park Zoo for this after-hours tasting event, featuring beers, food pairings, live DJs and prime views of the venue's animal residents. This year, attendees can choose from two evening sessions, each offering more than 120 craft beers to taste. If you've ever wanted to drink a beer within eyeshot of a rhinoceros, this is the place to make your dreams come true.

Taking place on the same street occupied by some of Chicago's best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drinks and music. You'll find food from more than 16 restaurants (on Randolph Street and beyond) being served as well as two stages packed with performances throughout the day. This year's lineup include indie rockers Real Estate. R&B act Anderson East, synth-pop duo Holy Ghost!, Vulfpeck guitarist Cory Wong and New York rockers Cults. Donations made at the entrance to the festival support the West Loop Community Organization.

Each summer, stages, tents and food trucks spring up around the Illinois Centennial Monument for a weekend that celebrates local art, food, beer and music. The Logan Square Arts Festival is one of the neighborhood's most beloved events and a reminder of the importance of community in an area of the city where demographics are changing as rapidly as new condos and high-rises can be built. In addition to a full slate of local artists, printers and makers, this year's festival will feature sets from Philadelphia rockers Hop Along, New Zealand indie-pop group the Beths, Brooklyn electronic act Future Generations and more.