40+ Kid-Friendly Summer Festivals and Fairs in Chicago

Here it comes: The most fun-packed, jam-packed, outdoor festival-and-fair-packed season of the year in Chicagoland. The debut of warmer weather prompts a head-spinning number of fantastic fetes with so many different themes, cultures, and neighborhoods, it's easy to find something to appeal to everyone in the family.
So while your local playground or pool may beckon and your backyard grill may look lonely, you’ve simply got to sample a street fair or two this summer. Bookmark this list and get your calendar (and some comfy shoes) ready. And check out our Chicago Summer Fun Guide for even more great kid and family activities and outings.
Some things to know before you go in 2021: Some May and June festivals were postponed because of COVID-19 and are now happening in August or September instead. Be sure to check on your favorites—you may not have missed them while waiting to be vaccinated! Also, many festivals still recommend masks for unvaccinated people, so if you've got littles under 12, keep the masks handy.
Fairs and Festivals in Chicago in July
Fairs and Festivals in Chicago in August
Summer Street Fests That Moved To September in 2021
Summer-Long Fairs and Festivals in Chicago
Places featured in this article:
Community Park
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion & Great Lawn
1929 W Wilson Ave
Downtown Glen Ellyn
Southport Corridor
Downtown Westmont
Kane County Fairgrounds
Belmont and Sheffield
Churchill Park
Kelvyn Park
Butterfield Park District
Lincoln Avenue
Jefferson Memorial Park
Chinatown Chicago
Northbrook Metra Station Parking Lot
Roscoe Village
Westchester Village Hall
ACM School of Music
Belmont Avenue
Centennial Park
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Downtown Wheaton
Lakeview and Roscoe Village
Mozart Park
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Downtown Wheaton
Copernicus Center
State Street from Madison to Lake
Rainbow Beach