Chicago events simmer into August with a menu of wonderful festivals and celebrations. Find Chicago's annual August events here.
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Fiesta del Sol - July 31 to August 3
Pilsen's family-friendly, alcohol- and tobacco-free festival.
- Lollapalooza - Friday, August 1 to Sunday, August 3
An incredible line-up that sprawls across Grant Park and brings some of the biggest name in music to the lakefront.
- Annual Black Harvest International Film Festival - August 1 to August 28
The Gene Siskel Film Center's annual celebration of the black experience on film and video.
- Retro on Roscoe - Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3
Live music, food, vendors, kids' stuff in Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood.
- Latino Theatre Festival - August 7 to August 20
The Goodman Theatre brings Latino companies from all over the country to their local stage for this annual celebration.
- Caribbean Festival and Jamaican Independence Celebration - Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August, 10
This celebration gives the city a jubilant Caribbean jolt every summer.
- Taylor Street Festa Italiana - Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10
Mangia, mangia in the community where mama loves you so. Pasta, music, good eats. Go. - Ginza Holiday Festival - Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10
For more than fifty years, the Ginza Festival has injected the spirit of Japan into its Old Town setting.
- Gold Coast River North Art Fair - Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10
The long-running Gold Coast Art Fair merged with the River North Art Fair to produce this free admission, juried art fair.
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Illinois State Fair – Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August, 17
County, state, and family traditions unfold over this ten day event in the heart of the state.
- Northalsted Market Days - Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10
This festival benefits the Northalsted Area Merchants Association and features crafts and goods, food, and music.
- Bud Billiken Parade – Saturday, August 9
This South Side parade was thrown originally in 1929 to honor the Chicago Defender's newspaper boys. Now, it's grown into a beloved community tradition.
- Arlington Million - Saturday, August 9
Horse racing at its finest chasing the carrot of a huge purse.
- West Fest - Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10
Live music, food, and vendors in Chicago's West Town neighborhood.
- Croatian Fest (Velika Gospa) - Friday, August 15
This festival, which celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, has been held in Bridgeport for more than 100 years.
- Air and Water Show – Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17
The uber-popular airplane and watercraft extravaganza expands to three days this year.
- Chicago Turkish World Festival - Satudray, August 16 and Sunday, August 17
A rich exploration and celebration of the Turkish, Balkan, and East Asian cultures.
- Chicago Dancing Festival- Monday, August 18 to Wednesday, August 20
A newbie festival on the Chicago scene, but a welcome showcase for Chicago's vibrant dance talent.
- Chicago Reggae Festival - Saturday, August 23
This newer music festival lively ups Union Park every year.
- Bucktown Arts Fest - Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24
"A neighborhood celebration of the arts" that seeks to be more about community and the arts than it is about "commercialization." - Body, Mind, Spirit Expo - Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24
Rehab your kharma and prana at this holistic event. Takes place at the North Shore Performing Arts Center in Skokie.
- Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival - August 23 to August 24
One of the last Grant Park music festivals of summer spices up the back half of August every year.
- American Craft Expo - Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24
More than 150 juried artisans land at this Evanston-based expo, which also supports breast and ovarian cancer research.
- Accenture Triathlon – Sunday, August 24
Swim. Bike. Sprint. Or, watch people doing that.
- Jazz Club Tour – Wednesday, August 27
Drop in and bop at some of Chicago's favorite jazz venues, which leaves the driving to Chicago Trolley, in this annual event. - 30th Chicago Jazz Festival – Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31
Three days of great jazz on three stages, culminating in a performance by Ornette Coleman on Sunday night at the Petrillo Music Shell.
- Labor Day Weekend - Top Picks - Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1
Find our top picks for making the most of your three-day weekend.
- Taste of Polonia - Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1
Mmmmm. I can smell the pierogi from here. Celebrate your Labor Day weekend enjoying the heart of Chicago's Polish community. - Hope Fest - Saturday, August 30
Named this because the very essence of hope is giving free book bags to needy school children, food to those who are hungry, and care to those who are sick. Every year in Humboldt Park. A back-to-school celebration.
