The best Chicago summer festivals

This Hyde Park street festival brings together some of the biggest names in Afrobeat music, a genre pioneered by musician Fela Kuti, who fused Nigerian instrumentation and rhythms with contemporary pop, funk and jazz. Passport Vibes will feature sets from British-Ghanaian DJ Juls as well as local Afrobeat selectors like Bonsu, Dee Money and Top Donn. In addition to plenty of tunes, the fest will also feature local food, a fashion show, African board games, an Afrobeat yoga class and an opportunity to show off your pipes at AfroKaraoke.

While it may not set any world records with its attendance, this annual bash at Old St. Patrick's Church is a beast of a block party, benefiting the institution's social justice and outreach programs. World's Largest Block Party fills a parking lot near the church with food, beer, a bags tournament and music from local cover bands 16 Candles and 7th Heaven. Lock down your ticket before June 10 to score a free drink upon arrival or show up between 5 to 6pm on June 21 for free entry to the event.

Prep for Chicago's annual Pride Parade with this massive block party, now a highly anticipated, two-day tradition of its own. Situated in the heart of Boystown, the event offers food and drinks from local vendors as well as musical entertainment with strong queer followings.

The stretch of Ravenswood Avenue that calls itself "Malt Row" hosts this annual festival, which features drinks provided by the neighborhood's diverse craft brewing scene. You'll find beer from Band of Bohemia, Begyle Brewing, Dovetail, Empirical, Half Acre and more, in addition to food from local restaurants and live music.

A city filled with fierce drag queens deserves a festival devoted to the diverse performers—from Chicago and beyond! The inagural Chicago is a Drag Festival comes just in time for the 50th Chicago Pride celebration, gathering local stars and national headliners for an afternoon or fun, posing and dancing in Andersonville's Cheetah Gym parking lot. RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Raja, Miss Continental winner Candis Cayne and Spikey Van Dykey headline the fest, joined by local talent like T Res, Lucy Stoole, Kat Sass, Imp Queen and Aunty Chan. If you're looking for a Pride party with a killer soundtrack and some serious style, this is the place to be.

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.

Chicago's LGBTQ community and its allies gather in Boystown to celebrate with a rainbow-colored parade that attracts over one million attendees. This year, the annual extravaganza celebrates 50 years with a commemorative theme, Stonewall 50: Millions of Moments of Pride. Head to the parade route early to grab a prime spot before the procession starts rolling down Halsted and Broadway between Montrose and Diversey.

In Lisle, the Fourth of July features plenty of airborne eye candy, including fireworks and hot air balloons. Balloons launch every morning and evening, filling the sky with colorful inflatables of all shapes and sizes (for an additional fee, you can even go for a ride on one of them). When the sun sets, the balloons come down and the fireworks begin. Attendees can also check out the festival's carnival, kids area, live music and craft fair. As always, admission to the morning balloon launches (which typically begin at 5:30am) is free.

Fourth of July weekend in Washington Park means reggae, soccer, dancing and delicious Afro-Caribbean food. The African Caribbean International Festival of Life promotes cultural awareness by bringing together more than 200 vendors selling handmade goods and traditional dishes.

Taking place on the weekend after the Fourth of July, you can count on West Fest to continue the celebration with delicious food, cold beverages and a music lineup stacked with exciting local bands and intriguing touring acts. This year, the street fest boasts sets from Welsh indie-rockers Los Campesinos!, experimental pop artist John Maus, dark electronic duo Boy Harsher and psychedelic Columbian outfit Combo Chimbita. The event also features a Pet Fest and a Kids Fest, stocked with activities for your little ones and four-legged friends.

It's no secret that we unabashedly love burgers, so you can imagine how much we're anticipating Roscoe Village's annual celebration of succulent, beef patty cuisine. Loosen your belt and prepare to taste grilled creations from more than 12 local restaurants while enjoying live music and ample libations. Don't forget to vote for your favorite—the most popular burger of the weekend earns the visitors' choice award.

The Southport Corridor hosts its annual two-day art festival, bringing together a variety of artists and local vendors near neighborhood landmarks like the Music Box Theatre. Guests can peruse pieces, shop at Southport Avenue stores or sit down on a patio to enjoy food and drink specials throughout the weekend.

Alt-country, folk and Americana music take the spotlight at Square Roots, a street festival that takes over the main drag of Lincoln Square. When you're not parked in front of a stage, you'll find open jam sessions, dance parties and family-friendly activities that make this fest feel like a gigantic neighborhood block party. The event also features multiple craft beer gardens, food from local restaurants and a market stocked with goods from area businesses.

Since 1980, Grant Park has been hosting what has become the granddaddy of food festivals. You know the drill: Trade tickets for a taste of Chicago's street fare from some of the city's most beloved eateries. As always, there will be music at Petrillo for you to listen to while you devour your turkey leg, Eli's Cheesecake or deep dish pizza.

This three-day Pilsen food festival takes its inspiration from the Tianguis, a traditional Mexican and Central American bazaar. As its name suggests, guests are invited to sample plenty of tacos and tamales, prepared by authentic local restaurants. Between bites, cruise vendor stalls, sip a cold one inside the Modelo beer garden and dance to live Latin music.

If you're really lucky, you'll walk away from BenFest with $10,000 in your pocket. Even if you don't win the cash raffle, there's still plenty to see and do at this annual benefit for the St. Benedict Parish in North Center, including live music and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for the kids.

If the foamy, flat macrobrewed suds served in a plastic cup that most street festivals serve aren't your idea of a good time, head to Lakeview's celebration of craft beer. You'll find more than 70 local, regional and national craft beers from 35 brewers on offer at this event. Purchase tickets before making your way to the tasting area each day from 1–8pm—each ticket is good for one 3 ounce sample of beer.

Don't want to deal with the crowds in Union Park? Head to Hyde Park where cultural storefront the Silver Room is organizes an expansive block party, complete with three outdoor stages in addition to performances at businesses and venues throughout the neighborhood. In addition to live music, local food and plenty of libations, this year's block party also features a roller skating rink (soundtracked by a lineup of DJs) and basketball tournaments.

Chinatown celebrates the arrival of summer at this annual event, featuring food, art and music. The festival opens with a traditional lion dance procession and continues with performances, kung fu demonstrations and cuisine from Chinatown restaurants.

River North may not have as many culinary institutions as neighborhoods like the West Loop, but there are some good eats to be found in the area—and you'll be able to try a lot of it at this tasty gathering of local eateries. While you're digesting, you'll enjoy tunes from local cover bands and plenty of beverages.

Head to the South Loop for an afternoon of beer and cider samples served in Chicago Women's Park. featuring more than 100 beverages provided by some of the region's most popular breweries and cideries. The outdoor festival also welcomes a lineup of Chicago food trucks and live performances from local musicians. All proceeds from the festival will benefit Chicago Women's Park and Gardens.

One of the largest Latino fests in the Midwest returns to the heart of Pilsen, brings a carnival, delicious food from local vendors and a lineup of traditional music to the neighborhood's streets. Unlike many other summer festivals, Fiesta del Sol is a proudly booze and tobacco-free event, making it ideal for families.

Wicker Park may be overrun with big-time restaurants, boutiques and shoe stores, but the neighborhood still clears out Milwaukee Avenue for a street celebration each summer. The main attraction of the annual fest is the music lineup, which typically features some notable touring acts and a long list of local performers. You'll also find plenty of delicious food, sales at local shops, daily fashion shows and twentysomethings watching the festivities from rooftops and balconies.

The Chicago History Museum organizes this celebration of one of the city's most famous dishes, serving creative franks from some of our favorite hot dog stands. While you're chowing down on neon green relish and sport peppers, you can listen to live music or attend a lecture that will teach you about the history of the Chicago-style hot dog.

Back in Riis Park, the three-day Festival Cubano brings together musicians, dancers and food for a weekend of cultural celebration. Begin by checking out the festival's more than 30 Cuban vendors, who will be serving dishes such as jibarito sandwiches, ropa vieja, lechón and tostones. Once you're full, play a game of dominos, shop for hand-rolled cigars, watch boxing matches or catch a performance from Cuban musicians.

Celebrate Japanese culture, food and entertainment at the annual Ginza Holiday Festival. Meet and buy crafts from master craftsmen (called Waza), who will be flown in from Tokyo to share their skills. Live martial arts, Taiko drumming, ukulele performances, classical dances and Japanese food (teriyaki, sushi, Spam musubi, Hawaiian shave ice and more) give Chicagoans a taste of Japan.

Northalsted Market Days is the largest two-day street festival in the Midwest, welcoming 100,000 to the streets of Boystown for an LGBTQ-friendly summer celebration. Headlining acts at this year's fest include former Prince collaborator Sheila E., "Don't Let Me Down" singer Daya and Swedish pop duo Icona Pop. When you're not dancing in the streets, you can chow down on fried foods, shop for colorful local goods or head to an afterparty at a nearby club.

Antique vendors and classic cars fill six blocks of Roscoe Village at this throwback street market, where everything old is new again. The music lineup is usually equally nostalgic, featuring tribute acts that perform hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Half Acre Beer Company throws its annual bash at its expansive Balmoral Brewery, welcoming guests into its taproom, production space and patio to enjoy drinks, music and more. This year's event will feature more than 60 beers, including wyld varieties, barrel-aged brews and some never-before-seen creations. Los Angeles psych-rock outfit the Allah-Las, garage rockers the Cowboys and local quartet Skip Church provide the live soundtrack for the evening, accompanied by some interactive experiences and surprises. Tickets include a tasting glass, koozie and one food token that can be redeemed at the festival.

Don't be surprised if you get a neck ache from looking up during this two-day event. Join throngs of people at North Beach and surrounding areas to catch air and watercraft demonstrations, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights.

Humboldt Park transforms into an outdoor tapas bar during this boozy bash, which pairs bites from local restaurants with pitchers of red wine and chopped fruit. Lay our a blanket to sip sangria on the lawn, put color on a canvas at the festival's painting station or watch flamenco dancers sway to Spanish music.

The Chicago outpost of Lagunitas Brewing Company throws a Beer Circus in Douglas Park (the same place where Riot Fest is held), with more than 100 performers, two stages of live music, food trucks, games and more diversions. In addition to a menu that includes one-of-a-kind Lagunitas brews, you'll be able to take in burlesque, sideshow acts and aerialists.

Navy Pier hosts a Labor Day weekend feast featuring mountains of fresh seafood flown in from the East Coast. Each attendee recieves a 1.25-pound steamed red lobster or a lobster roll, served with corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, a dinner roll, lemon wedges and melted butter. Once you're full, head to the stage, where you can catch live music all weekend.

The annual three-day festival kicks off Friday with its Hamburger Hop throwdown, where you can taste creative patties cooked by a stacked lineup of chefs. On Saturday and Sunday, Millennium Park hosts the Grand Tasting event, filling the Great Lawn with cooking demos, tasting pavilions and a wine sampling. This year's event features local celebs such as Diana Dávila, Joe Flamm, Rick Bayless and more.