Here's a list, along with all the information you need to know with festivals to look forward to once the new year rings:
21st Annual Chicago Kids and Kites Festival (May 4, 2019 at Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park; Lake Shore Dr. and Montrose Dr.)
Considered “a timeless spring tradition,” according to the City of Chicago. Free kite kits will be available for children to construct, decorate and fly (while supplies last), along with other family activities (professional kite flying demonstrations, face painting, balloon artists and the Big Kite Candy Drop) weather permitting.
Chicago Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony (May 25, 2019 at State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren St.)
Meant to honor all men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country. The parade is preceded by a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the eternal flame on Daley Plaza.
Lincoln Park Zoo
When: Fridays – Sundays, Sep. 28 – Oct. 28 & Mon. Oct. 8 nWhere: Lincoln Park Zoo nHours: Friday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Columbus Day, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. nAdmission: Free nWhy Go: This is a free family-friendly event festival with plenty of fun activities including pumpkin picking, hay mountain climbing, and pumpkin carving. There will also be ticketed attractions such as a Ferris wheel, a corn maze, an inflatable course, and more.
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
When: Oct. 6 & 7nWhere: Lincoln Ave., between Lawrence & Eastwood, Lincoln SquarenHours: Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.nAdmission: $5 suggested donationnWhy Go: This is the 31st annual Lincoln Square festival that celebrates the apple and its many varieties. There will be plenty of vendors selling everything from apple cider to candy apples, apple pies to apple strudel and even handcrafted items. There will also be a fun kids zone and live music playing all day.
When: Oct. 13 & 14nWhere: 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., North Side (North Park Village Nature Center)nHours:10 a.m. – 3 p.m.n Admission: FreenWhy Go:This festival “celebrates the harvest by focusing on the animals that begin to prepare for the long winter ahead after gathering their fall goodies.”You’ll be able to make some nature-centric crafts, do some shopping in the farmers market, watch the scarecrow building contest, listen to storytellers and enjoy live music.
When: Sep. 8 – Oct. 28; In September, Saturdays & Sundays, In October, Friday-Saturday including Columbus Day nWhere: Stade’s Farm & Market, 3709 W Miller Rd.nHours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.nAdmission: Ages 3-64 /$15, Ages 65 & over/$10, Ages 2 & under/Freen Why Go: Bring the entire family for a fun filled day at the farm. This annual fall festival will have more than 25 family-friendly attractions including hayrides, pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, and more. There will be an antique tractor and truck show and a pumpkin barrel train. Vendors will also be selling yummy food and goodies.
ColorDance Design
When: Sep. 22 & 23nWhere:523 S. Webster St.nHours: Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.nAdmission: Adult/$12, Ages 3-12/$7, Ages 3 & under/FreenWhy Go: Learn about the Native American culture all while celebrating the harvest through dancing, cultural demonstrations, craft-making, and other special activities. These pow wows will surely be a unique, rich-learning experience for anyone attending.
Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau
When: Oct. 5 - 7n Where: Route 64 & the Fox Rivern Hours: Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.nAdmission: FreenWhy Go: This 33rd annual festival centers around its scarecrow contest where you’ll get to see over 50 handcrafted scarecrows compete for being named the best. There will also be an arts & crafts show, live music, and carnival rides.
Pumpkins
When: Sep. 22 - Oct. 28, weekends onlyn Where: 8512 S. Union Rd.nHours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.nAdmission: $19, Ages 3 & Under/FreenWhy Go: Experience the Wild West at this family themed park where there will be many entertaining activities: faux gold panning, canoe rides, pumpkin painting, pony rides and so much more. Don’t miss out on the Old Wild West shows that will be performing throughout the day.
When: Sep. 14 – Oct. 28, Thursday – Sunday (Thurs only in Oct.) nWhere: 6042 Newcastle Rd., Lafayette, INnHours: Varies depending on day of the weeknAdmissions: General & discount admission depending on daynWhy Go: This maze’s design is inspired by the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things”. Stretching over 10 miles, visitors will surely have a fun time trying to get through this maze. For those who are not up for the challenge, the farm features a large pumpkin patch that they can take a stroll through instead.
The Great Pumpkin Patch
When: Sep. 8 – Oct. 31nWhere: 1749A County Road 1900 N.nHours: 9: a.m. – 6 p.m.n Admission: Prices vary by age and depending on day of week, Ages 5 & under/FreenWhy Go: Get to see over 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds from more than 30 countries around the globe grown right on this family farm. Not only that but the farm also has various mazes sprawled throughout and is home to several friendly animals.
KNTV
When: September 21 – October 30nWhere: 13341 W 151st St.n Hours: Mon-Thur 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Fri - Sat 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Times slightly change in Oct.)n Admission: Prices depend on day of the weeknWhy Go:This family-friendly farm has a fall festival as well as a pumpkin patch that the whole family will surely enjoy. It has entertaining attractions such as pony rides, a petting zoo, rides, and many others.
When: Weekends only, Sep. 22-Oct. 28nWhere: 8512 S. Union Rd., Union, ILn Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.n Admission: $19, Ages 3 & Under/Freen
Why Go: Experience the Wild West at this family themed park where there will be many entertaining activities: faux gold panning, canoe rides, pumpkin painting, pony rides and so much more. Don’t miss out on the Old Wild West shows that will be performing throughout the day.
Cantigny Park
When: Oct. 13 n Where: 1 S 151 Winfield RoadnHours:10 a.m. – 4 p.m.nAdmission: No admission, Parking/$5n Why Go:Celebrate the new fall season at Cantigny Fall Festival. There will be hayrides, a craft show, a live show, and other activities for the whole family.
Pumpkins
When:Oct. 13nWhere: 1 S. 151 Winfield Road nHours: Mon-Thur/12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Fri /12 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat & Sun/10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun/ 10 a.m./7 p.m.nAdmission:Charge for certain activities nWhy Go:This fall festival offers visitors the chance to pick out their own pumpkin, go on hayrides, walk through the maze, and more.
Schaumburg Park District
When: Oct. 7 n Where: 1 S. 151 Winfield Roadn Hours: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.nAdmission: $5/person, $20/family, Ages 3 & under/Free nWhy Go: Autumn Fall Festival takes guests back into time. The festival “includes hands-on demonstrations of frontier-era and 1880s farm life including cider pressing, blacksmithing and grain threshing.” There will also be plenty of fall treats.
Chicago Park District
When:Oct. 7nWhere:2500 W. Lunt Ave.nHours:10 a.m.- 2 p.m.nAdmission:FreenWhy Go:The main attraction of this fall fest is its pumpkin patch. After choosing a pumpkin, visitors can decorate them as well as enjoy the many other activities such as the Halloween-themed carnival games, pony rides, and the petting zoo.
Chicago Park District
When:Oct. 20nWhere:410 W. Chicago Ave.nHours:11 a.m.-1 p.m.nAdmission:FreenWhy Go:Spend a fun fall day at the park. Visitors will find plenty to do such as games, a pumpkin painting station, bounce houses, and many more.
Chicago Park District
When:Oct. 7nWhere: 3546 W. Addison St.nHours:10 a.m - 3 p.m.nAdmission:FreenWhy Go:Enjoy a day at the park with a ton of fall activities such as a pumpkin patch, face painting, petting zoo, and more.
4th Annual Chicago House Music Festival(Memorial Day Weekend, 2019 in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; and other citywide locations)
Various sounds and styles of house music including DJs and live performances will showcase the musical form born in Chicago.
34th Chicago Gospel Music Festival (May 31–June 1, 2019 in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; and Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.)
Considered the largest free, outdoor gospel music festival of its kind—this festival features local and national artists from traditional choirs to contemporary urban styles.
36th Annual Chicago Blues Festival (June 7–9, 2019 in Millennium Park; 201 E. Randolph St.)
Features live music performances of over a hundred national, international and local artists celebrating the city’s rich Blues tradition while also highlighting the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock hip-hop etc.
Millennium Park Summer Music & Film Series (June–Aug., 2019 in Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion; 201 E. Randolph St.)
Enjoy the free outdoor movies and concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Simply grab a seat in the pavilion or bring a picnic for the Great Lawn.
23rd Annual Chicago SummerDance (Wednesdays–Sundays, June 27–Aug. 24, 2019 in Grant Park; Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Ave.; and other Chicago Park District locations)
Considered the largest outdoor social dancing series in the United States. Individuals of all ages and dance skill levels are invited to take part in introductory, one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors followed by live music and dancing. Swing, waltz, cha-cha...or simply enjoy the music in the series that culminates at the SummerDance Celebration, highlighting the city’s diverse dance community in Millennium Park on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019.
39th Annual Taste of Chicago (July 10–14, 2019 in Grant Park; Jackson St. & Columbus Dr.)
The nation’s premier free outdoor food festival, showcases the diversity of Chicago’s dining scene, alongside a smorgasbord of cooking demonstrations, music concerts, dance performances, art activations, family activities and more.
61st Annual Chicago Air and Water Show (Aug. 17–18, 2019 at North Avenue Beach; 1600 N. Lake Shore Dr.)
Considered one of the largest and longest-running free admission events of its kind. The annual show features military and civilian flight aerobatics, historic aircraft, simulated water rescues and parachute teams.
41st Annual Chicago Jazz Festival (Aug. 23–Sept. 1, 2019 in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; and other citywide locations)
The festival showcases the top jazz artists from Chicago and around the world across the city during new, extended festival dates. The Chicago Jazz Festival is programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago.
21st Annual World Music Festival Chicago (Sept. 13–29, 2019 in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; and other citywide locations)
The multi-venue festival features award-winning artists from around the world, including 50 artists and ensembles representing over 20 countries and regions of the world.
106th Annual Christmas Tree and Holiday Celebrations (November—December 2019 in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.)
The ceremony includes the official Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting, with some holiday tunes at Caroling at Cloud Gate on Friday evenings and gliding across the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink.
