We Chicago area residents know the drill: Spend nine months of the year wrapped in fleece and complaining about the cold and three months outdoors. Every. Single. Minute. Possible.
Here’s a compilation of some of the North Shore’s best events—some familiar, others worth getting to know. And don’t forget to check our events calendar often for updates and additions.
June Events
A Promenade of Art
Arlington Heights
Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 8
Launched in 2003, the annual Promenade of Art has quickly become a popular fine art and fine craft festival. Along quaint streets that showcase a collection of upscale residential buildings, boutiques, and a variety of eateries, 130 juried artists display their work for more than 25,000 attendees. This year, you can also enjoy the second annual Taste of Arlington Heights, which will feature delicious food and drinks from local restaurants.
Libertyville Days Festival
West Church Street, between Milwaukee & Brainerd Street in Libertyville
Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 15
It’s one of the first of several old-fashioned community festivals on the docket with carnival rides, food, a beer garden, live music, art and crafts expo and more.
Custer’s Last Stand Art Fair
Main Street and Chicago Avenue in Evanston
Saturday, June 21 to Sunday June 22
More than 350 artists and craftspeople from across the country come together on the third weekend of June each year to exhibit and sell paintings, ceramics, pottery, photographs, jewelry, graphic arts, wearable art, antiques and collectibles. They are joined by 150 local businesses and commercial exhibitors who put on an old-fashioned sidewalk sale.
Hands of Hope: Barrington Country Garden & Antique Faire
Friday, June 13 to Saturday, June 14
Tour the gardens of three outstanding Barrington Hills estates. Shop the French Market, the fine antique and garden boutique, and find bargains at the Avant Garden, an upscale flea market.
Long Grove Strawberry Festival
Downtown Long Grove
Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22
All things strawberry! Plus, great live music and lots of great local shopping opportunities.
The Highland Park Art Center’s Festival of Fine Craft
Sheridan Road, between Central and Elm
Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, June 29
This is the 14th Annual Festival of Fine Craft in Highland Park sponsored by the Art Center. The festival will feature exciting art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S. in many mediums, including ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, wood, sculpture, glass and more.
Highwood Days with Taste of Summer
Downtown Highwood
Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29
One of the North Shore’s oldest and most fun festivals. The carnival-style festival is held in Everts Park with great tastes of the North Shore, live music, family activities, beer garden, and more.
Glenview Summer Festival and Street Sale
Downtown Glenview
Saturday, June 28
Come enjoy the 41st annual Summer Festival, complete with sidewalk sales, live entertainment, food vendors, artists and crafters, raffles and more!
Wilmette Summerfest
Downtown Wilmette
Friday, July 11 to Saturday, July 12
Come join nearly 1,000 attendees for sidewalk sales, live music, a beer garden, and a classic car show!
2014 Fountain Square Arts Festival
Church Street and Sherman Avenue, Evanston
Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, June 29
One of the most prestigious art festivals in the Midwest, the Fountain Square Arts Festival has more than 250 artists and is the largest and oldest juried fine arts fair on the North Shore. The festival is located on six city blocks in downtown Evanston with the eponymous “Fountain Square” sculpture garden as its focal point.
Des Plaines Summer Fling
Downtown Des Plaines
Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 28
Music, family fun and great food are all on the agenda this weekend in Des Plaines.
Chicago Festivals to Watch For:
Blues Fest
Grant Park
Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15
School’s out, it’s free admission, and warm summer breezes are on tap. Bring a lawn chair, kick back beneath Chicago’s skyline and catch some of the nation’s top talent in an iconic American music genre.
Printer’s Row Lit Fest
Randolph Street, Chicago
Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 8
A book-lover’s dream weekend, as booksellers set up shop and authors sit down to talk with festivalgoers. Great kids’ activities, too!
July Events
Deerfield Family Days
Thursday, July 3 to Friday, July 4
Catch Independence Day fireworks, along with live entertainment. Saturday highlights include a dog show, arts and crafts, a bicycle parade, 10K run, games and rides.
Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival
Glencoe
Saturday, July 5 to Sunday, July 6
One of the most beautiful settings for an art festival. Find your perfect piece of art from one of 100 exhibitors, or at the very least, inspiration for art of your own!
Northbrook Art in the Park
Village Green
Saturday, July 12 to Sunday, July 13
It’s art on the Green all weekend long, with opportunities to meet and talk with more than 70 artists in person.
Buffalo Grove Art Festival
Buffalo Grove Town Center
Saturday, July 12 to Sunday, July 13
Rated as one of the top 50 art festivals in the country, this festival features a wonderfully chosen, juried group of approximately 160 artists, all thrilled to showcase their art to nearly 32,000 fest visitors.
Lake County Fair
Grayslake
Wednesday, July 23 to Sunday, July 27
County fair action in all its animal-loving, carnival-riding and cotton-candy-eating goodness!
North Shore Festival of Art Old Orchard
Skokie
Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28
It’s a shopping two-fer—hit the fair, then the mall! Food, fun and fabulous art all in one spot.
Chicago Festivals to Watch For:
Taste of Chicago
Grant Park
Wednesday, July 9 to Sunday, July 13
The fest that put fests on the map for Chicago. Fabulous food and live entertainment (including acts like Aloe Blacc, Janelle Monáe and Jeff Tweedy). Make this a must-do for your summer fun list.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Saturday, July 13 to Sunday, July 14
“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese …” If you can sing that jingle in your sleep, you need to get your burger-lovin’ self down to Roscoe Village this year, where dozens of local restaurants vie for best burger. Live entertainment and shopping round out the fun.
Wicker Park Fest
On Milwaukee Avenue, from North Avenue to Paulina Street, Chicago
Saturday, July 26 to Sunday, July 27
Fun in the sun on the corner of Milwaukee and North avenues. Art, music and a killer kids’ fest make this a great destination for the whole family.
August Events
Northbrook Days
Village Green
Wednesday, July 30 to Sunday, August 3
A summertime tradition, Northbrook Days is five fun-filled days of carnival rides, games and a “Taste of Northbrook” and a local business expo.
Glencoe Festival of Art
Saturday, August 2 to Sunday, August 3
This festival features fine crafts and arts among the boutiques and delicious cafes of downtown Glencoe.
Art at The Glen
Tower Drive, Glen Town Center, Glenview
Saturday, August 9 to Sunday, August 10
Nearly 200 artists at this event, featuring live music as well, all set among great shopping and alfresco dining options.
Chicago Botanic Garden Kite Festival
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Saturday, August 9 to Sunday, August 10
Playing with kites of all shapes and sizes is a childhood rite of passage. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to do so in a beautiful setting. The Chicago Fire Kite Team will be on hand, along with other professionals, ready to thrill and teach.
Garlic Fest
Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood
Wednesday, August 20
It’s the fourth year for this fun, food-filled event celebrating tasty, tasty garlic. Try garlic ice cream, candy, cupcakes and cocktails, to the more usual pastas, sauces, breads, and butters, and then vote for the Garlic Queen and Princess.
Lincolnshire Art Festival
Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, August 17
The Lincolnshire Art Festival proudly celebrates its 16th year as a fine arts institution this summer. It’s currently ranked as one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine.
2014 American Craft Exposition
2311 Campus Drive, Evanston, Northwestern University
Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24
It’s a perennial North Shore favorite. The American Craft Exposition is not macrame beverage cozies and appliqued sweatshirts. It’s a highly competitive, juried art event with a wide variety of media on hand. Metals, jewelry, leather, wood, decorative fibers and ceramics are just a handful of the categories represented. There’s even a benefit preview to support ongoing breast and ovarian cancer research on the North Shore.
Skokie’s 2014 Backlot Bash
Oakton Street and Lincoln Avenue
Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24
What a way to wrap up a fantastic summer, with free live music all three nights, carnival rides, a beer tent, silent movies at the Skokie Theatre, a 5K race, bingo, classic car fest and more!
Long Grove Art Festival
Downtown Long Grove
Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, August 17
Take the trip out to Long Grove for art, food and fun, in one of the North Shore’s quaintest downtown shopping districts.
Port Clinton Art Festival
Central Avenue, downtown Highland Park
Saturday, August 23 to Sunday, August 24
Live music, great food, and 260 artists, all centrally located in Highland Park.
Chicago Festivals to Watch For:
Northalsted Market Days
Boystown
Saturday, August 9 to Sunday, August 10
Another great opportunity to check out one of Chicago’s unique neighborhoods, with art, shopping and live music to keep you entertained.
Chicago Air and Water Show
Gold Coast
Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, August 17
This show continues to rock the skies and water. Grab your beach blanket and head to the lake for spectacular entertainment.
SausageFest
Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
Saturday, August 9 to Sunday, August 10
A carnivore’s delight, with the city’s very best in sausage purveyors offering up tasty treats. With live entertainment galore, it’s a great place to spend a warm-weather afternoon or evening.
