Best Spring Festivals In Chicago
After spending most of winter shoveling, scraping off ice and complaining about the weather, it's time to celebrate the return of warmer weather in Chicago by attending a festival. Festivals focused on music, art and more are all on the schedule this spring, so you can spend time outdoors while checking out new bands. If you're looking for something to do this spring, then take a look at these Chicago-area festivals. Make your next trip to a festival a little bit easier and consider taking public transportation instead of driving your car, too.
Chicago Kids And Kites Festival
Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park
Lake Shore Dr. and Montrose Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
www.cityofchicago.org
Date: May 2, 2015
Price: Free
Some festivals this spring are family-friendly, and the Chicago Kids and Kites Festival is no exception. The annual event includes information on how to fly a kite, as well as kite-flying demonstrations. If you don't have a kite of your own, you can still participate. Your child can make a free paper kite onsite, or purchase a new kite during the festival. Cricket Hill is close to Lake Michigan, making it the perfect backdrop for a quick family picture while you have fun together.
Mayfest 2015
Lincoln and Leland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
www.mayfestchicago.com
Date: May 28 through 31, 2015
You were probably cooped up in your home for most of winter, so why not celebrate spring in a big way? During Mayfest 2015, you can kick up your heels and look forward to warmer days and nights with a four-day celebration. The celebration of the arrival of spring, which is held in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, features plenty of German foods and beer. Live music from local bands and traditional German music, including polka, are also on the schedule. Traditional keg tapping, as well as the crowning of the May queen, are among the other activities on the festival's schedule.
Millennium Art Festival
Lake St. and Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60601
(847) 926-4300
www.amdurproductions.com
Date: May 29 through 31, 2015
Price: Admission is free
For many Chicagoans, warmer weather is synonymous with browsing outdoor art festivals held throughout the city. Although summer hasn't started technically, you can get a jumpstart and peruse the selection of art on display at the Millennium Art Festival. Check out new jewelry for a loved one or yourself, or perhaps pick up a stunning photograph or painting for your home at the fest. Food and live music are also on the schedule during the three-day festival.
Related: Best Bizarre Public Art In Chicago
Chicago Blues Festival
Grant Park
Jackson and Columbus Drives
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 744-3370
www.cityofchicago.org
Date: June 12 through 14, 2015
Price: Free
Billed as the largest free blues festival in the world, the Chicago Blues Festival is the place to be if you want to hear great music while taking in Chicago's skyline. Pack up a picnic basket, grab a light jacket and plan to meet your friends after work or during the weekend for an evening of live performances by some of the best musicians in the genre. The three-day festival has included performances by Ray Charles, Nikki Hill, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville and many other musicians in the past. This year's festival also includes a celebration of the legacies of blues legends Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.
Puerto Rican Festival
Humboldt Park
Division St. and California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
www.chicagoevents.com
Date: June 18 through 21, 2015
Price: Admission is free
Celebrate the culture and history of Puerto Rico with the Puerto Rican Festival, held in Chicago's Humboldt Park. The four-day festival, held right at the end of spring and into the start of summer, includes live music and plenty of food and crafts available for purchase. The family-friendly event, now in its 33rd year, also includes carnival rides and other entertainment. Add time in your schedule for the parade on June 20 starting at 2 p.m. at Division and Western Avenues, too.
Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
