With festivals popping up around Chicago nearly every day of summer, it’s hard to pick and choose what’s worth your time. Every festival touts the quality of its live music, but which ones have the jams to back it up? Check out some of our picks of the best music events so you don’t miss the coolest acts hitting town this summer, even if you couldn’t afford Lollapalooza or Pitchfork tickets.
Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale
When: Noon-10pm, Sat, June 4 and Sun, June 5
Where: Division Street, between Ashland and Leavitt
Price: $5 donation
With music programmed by the Empty Bottle, Subterranean and House Call Entertainment, this street festival is more than just crafts. Don’t miss: Mirah & Thao on Saturday, California Wives on Sunday.
Chicago Blues Festival
When: 11:30am-9:30pm, Fri June 10-Sun, June 12
Where: Grant Park
Price: Free
Blues legends gather in Grant Park for the largest free blues festival in the world. Don’t miss: Mississippi blues guitarist Eddie Cotton, Jr. on Friday, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues on Saturday.
Chicago Ribfest
When: 5pm-10pm Fri June 10, noon-10pm Sat June 11 and Sun, June 12
Where: Northcenter, 4000 N. Lincoln.
Price: $5 donation
Come for the meats, stay for the music. Don’t miss: Jukebox the Ghost on Friday, Ezra Furman & The Harpoons on Saturday, Tapes ‘n Tapes Sunday.
Neon Marshmallow Music Festival
When: 7pm June 10-June 12
Where: The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western.
Price: $25 per night
If you’re into experimental music, noise or just need something new, check out the second year of Neon Marshmallow. Don’t miss: acoustic psychedelic band mountains on Friday.
Taste of Randolph Street
When: 5pm-11pm Fri, June 17; 2pm-11pm Saturday, June 18; 2pm-10pm Sun, June 19
Where: 900 West Randolph
Price: $10 donation
Their lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but if past years are any indication, it’s sure to be a good one.
Green Music Fest
When: Noon-10pm June 25-June 26
Where: Chicago Avenue, between Ashland and Noble
Price: $5 donation
Going green may be all the rage, but this hipster fest has the bands to back it up. Don’t miss: Yo La Tengo on Saturday.
Taste of Chicago
When: 11am-9pm, Fri, June 24-Sun, July 3
Where: Grant Park
Price: Free
This summer staple hasn’t released its schedule yet, but last year’s lineup included Passion Pit, Los Lonely Boys and Rob Thomas. Here’s to hoping they’ll come through again this year.
Chicago Folk and Roots Festival
When: Noon-10pm Sat, July 9-Sun, July 10
Where: Welles Park, between Montrose and Sunnyside
Price: $10 donation, $5 for seniors and kids
With a team fiddle contest and a variety of folk music from Jewish-flavored jug music to Eastern European gypsy tunes to the sounds of the bayou, the Old Town School of Folk’s annual festival celebrates artistic traditions from all over the world. Don’t miss: energetic bluegrass rockers Mountain Heart on Saturday.
Wicker Park Fest
When: Noon-10pm Saturday July 23 and Sunday, July 24.
Where: Milwaukee between North and Wood
Local businesses and flavor make this festival unique, but the music program includes national acts too. And what better place is there to jam to new indie bands than Wicker Park? Don’t miss: Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, Waaves and Joe Pug on Sunday.
New Music Mondays at Jay Pritzker Pavilion
When: Mondays, 6:30pm
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park
Price: Free
Though there’s something musical afoot almost any summer night at Millennium Park, this series brings in the big names for a low price. Or no price. Don’t miss: Iron and Wine on June 6, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists on July 25.
—Shaunacy Ferro
