Guide to Chicago Festivals

Chicago hosts a variety of festivals year round that drives thousands of Chicagoans and visitors to venues throughout the city. Most of the festivals take place during the summer, some of the festivals are so popular that Chicago is forced to shut down parts of downtown to street traffic, and others are still largely undiscovered.

In truth, Chicago just likes any excuse to get together and celebrate--and we do it well. The following is a guide to the best festivals hosted by Chicago, make sure you plan to attend at least one this year.

Chicago Blues Festival
Staged in Grant Park, the Chicago's Blues Festival is a three day long event featuring the best performers the nation has to offer. Held annually during the first week of June, the festival's free concerts with over 70 performers is reason enough to park yourself on the grass in the park. Make sure you arrive early to claim a spot and take advantage of the city's public transportation because parking around the area is extremely limited.

Taste of Chicago Festival
This is the Chicago's biggest festival and it continues to grow every year. Held the week leading up to the Fourth of July, the idea behind the festival is to literally give everyone a little taste of Chicago. Restaurants from all over the city set up food tents in Grant Park and serve their specialties to the masses, be on the lookout for Eli's cheesecake, Chicago Style Pizza, and a whole lot of grease.

I recommend waiting till early evening when the crowd thins out, the temeprature drops, the musical quality improves and on the final night you are in the perfect spot to view the firework show.

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
For a little over a month in the summer Grant Park becomes the biggest movie theater in Chicago. Every Tuesday a different classic film is showed on a giant screen for the masses that fill the lawn. Again, arriving early is a must since lawn space is limited and families and groups are out staking their patch of grass with blankets and lawn chairs.

A note to couples: This is a great date idea and its absolutely free so you can splurge on dinner after.