Known as the Windy City, there is usually something always going on in Chicago especially in the spring and summer months. Some of the events that you will want to attend when you visit Chicago include the following.
The Oak Street Beach Summer Festival
The Oak Street Beach Summer Festival has been taking place on Oak Street Beach, just off of Lake Shore Drive, for the past 20 years. This event includes out door “beach” music, volleyball tournaments and food on Oak Street Beach during the last weekend of June of each year. Chicago weather can be very cool throughout most of the year and the summer really gets kicked off during the Oak Street Beach Summer Festival that welcomes summer in.
Venetian Night
The third Saturday in July is reserved for Venetian Night in Chicago. All of the boats in the Lake Michigan Harbor are lit up and sail along the lake front, making a spectacular display. Venetian Night begins in the evening and has been taking place in the city for the past 30 years. At the end of the celebration, there are fireworks.
Lincoln Park Book Fair
The used book fair in Lincoln Park is considered to be one of the biggest book fairs in the country. The Lincoln Park area of Chicago hosts this annual book fair during the last weekend in July of each year. Those who collect rare books or simply love to read, will visit Chicago for this unique event. The Lincoln Park book fair takes place along several blocks in Lincoln Park, including Oak Street.
Greek Festival
The Greek Town area of Chicago is located on Halsted Street between Monroe and Madison Streets in the city of Chicago. The annual Greek Town Festival is a combination of food, music and dancing, all outdoors. Halsted Street is blocked off and the entire block is abuzz with activity and music that takes place the first weekend of August in Chicago.
Blues Festival
Also occurring the first weekend of August in Chicago is the Blues Festival. This is an annual event that takes place in Grant Park and features live Blues acts. Chicago is a town known for music and you can hear some of the best Blues music when you attend the annual Blues Festival in Grant Park.
Taste Of Chicago
The Taste of Chicago takes place every Labor Day weekend in Grant Park, which is one of the larger parks in the city of Chicago. The Taste of Chicago features foods from all of the Chicago restaurants. This event draws a large crowd and actually begins the week before Labor Day weekend and ends on Labor Day. This is an annual event that has changed venues and times throughout the years, but always draws a crowd.
South Side Irish Parade
The Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day is reserved for the South Side Irish Parade. While Chicago, like most other cities, has a St. Patrick’s Day parade where politicians march, most of the action is on Western Avenue the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day. The South Side Irish Parade has been going strong for the past 70 years and most of the local politicians will march in this parade as well. Although it is not the official St. Patrick’s Day parade
, it might as well be as it draws a larger crowd than the traditional parade.
There is plenty to see and do in Chicago. This includes some first class annual events and plenty of fine shopping and dining so do come and visit!