A round up of the top events happening in Chicago in August 2022.
Things to Do in Chicago in August:
Table of Contents
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
When: August 1, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free
Ana Tijoux and Gabriel Garzon-Montano will be performing.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
When: Tuesdays from July 12 through August 30
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Attendance is free and guests can sit in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or on the Great Lawn. *The films have not been announced yet.
Windy City Smokeout
When: August 4-7, 2022
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: United Center
Cost: $50 and up
Smokeout is the combination of a country music festival and a food festival. It takes place over four days in July and features pit masters from all over the country. Headliners for 2022 include Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, and Willie Nelson.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd
When: Wednesdays from June 15 through August 31, 2022, 5 pm – 10 pm
Neighborhood: Museum Campus
Address: The Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium hosts top local jazz ensembles on the terrace which offers incredible views of the city skyline and the Wednesday night fireworks. The aquarium exhibits are open during the event.
Dancing in the Streets
When: August 5-7, 2022
Neighborhood: West Town
Address: Hubbard Street between Paulina and Wood
Cost: $10 donation
A street festival hosted by the Chicago Brewing District Brewers that promises hot jams and cold beers.
C2E2
When: August 5-7, 2022
Neighborhood: South Loop
Address: McCormick Place
Cost: $40 and up
The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo is a comic, cosplay, and pop culture convention that takes place at McCormick Place in August. The event includes exhibitors, autograph sessions, panels, screening rooms, exclusives, After Dark events and a massive Artist Alley.
Old Irving Park Beer & BBQ Challenge
When: August 6, 2022 from 1 pm – 5 pm
Neighborhood: Irving Park
Address: St. Viator School Campus, 3644 North Kedvale Ave
Cost: $85 (purchase online)
This event is taking place for the last time in 2022. Fifteen teams of local chefs and craft brewers create barbecue pork and beer pairings. Attendees vote on Best BBQ Pork, Best Beer, and Best BBQ Pork and Beer Pairing. *This is a 21+ event.
LatiNxt Music Festival
When: August 6-7, 2022
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Address: Navy Pier
Cost: Free
A two day music festival that takes place at Navy Pier’s Beer Garden and Polk Bros. Stage that highlights local Latinx musicians and musicians from the Latin American diaspora.
Sundays on State
When: August 7, 2022 and August 21, 2022, 11 am – 6 pm
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: State Street Between Lake and Monroe
Cost: Free
An interactive block party with shopping, outdoor dining, art, entertainment, and recreation.
Festival Dominicano
When: August 7, 2022
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Address: Humboldt Park (entrance at Division and Mozart)
Cost: $15
Festival Dominicano brings live music, DJs, and Dominican cuisine to Humboldt Park.
Northalsted Market Days
When: August 6-7, 2022
Neighborhood: Boystown/Northalsted
Address: Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison
A street fest that caters to the LGBTQ+ community that is known having a fun party atmosphere. In 2022, the event will have 6 stages with DJs, live music, and performances, plus 250+ art, craft, food and drink booths.
Family Movie Night
When: August 6, 2022
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Address: Loyola Park
Cost: Free
A free screening of Coco will take place at 7 pm.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
When: August 8, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free
Artists to be announced.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
When: August 11, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free
Afro-Cuban performer CIMAFUNK and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble will be featured.
Edison Park Fest
When: August 12-14, 2022
Neighborhood: Edison Park
Address:
Cost: $5 donation
The 50th Annual Edison Park Fest will have live music and carnival foods. Headliners include Hillbilly Rockstarz, Lounge Puppets, and 7th Heaven.
Bud Billiken Parade and Festival
When: August 13, 2022
Neighborhood: Bronzeville
Address: King Drive
The largest African-American parade in the United States, the Bud Billiken Parade has a procession of bands, dance teams, and floats. The first parade took place in 1929 and it raises excitement for kids to go back to school.
Retro on Roscoe
When: August 12-14, 2022
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village
Address: Roscoe and Damen
This street fest has three stages of music and entertainment plus art and antique vendors, and local restaurants. It is considered to be one of Chicago’s best street fests.
My House Music Festival
When: August 13-14, 2022
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Address: Harrison Park
A house music fest with local food and drinks, art, a silent disco, and two days of house music.
Printers Row Art Fest
When: August 13-14, 2022
Neighborhood: South Loop
Address: Dearborn from Harrison to Polk
An art fest where attendees can shop for art from 80 juried artists.
Thirsty Ears
When: August 13-14, 2022
Neighborhood: Ravenswood
Address: Ravenswood from Wilson to Hermitage
A classical music street festival with live music, a kid’s zone, food trucks, local beer, and vendor booths.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
When: August 18, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Millennium Park
Cost: Free
This concert will feature tribute to Charles Stepney, an influential Chicago soul musician and a performance by the Black Monument Ensemble.
Hecho En Art Fair
When: August 13-15, 2022
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Address: 18th Street between Ashland and Paulina
An annual event supporting the BIPOC art community and the Pilsen Arts & Community House that features an artist, artisan, and makers market.
Clark After Dark
When: August 18, 2022
Neighborhood: River North
Address: 420 North Clark Street
Cost: $10
A street fest celebrating military service members and their families.
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
When: August 19-21, 2022
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Address: Glenwood Avenue
A free weekend-long event taking place in August featuring 120+ artists, open studios, two stages of music and entertainment, craft beer, and food.
Ruido Fest
When: August 19-21, 2022
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: Union Park
Cost: $100 and up
A festival celebrating Latin Alternative Music with 40+ acts performing on three stages. Headliners include Cuco, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and Cypress Hill.
Ribfest
When: August 19-21, 2022
Neighborhood: North Center
Address: 4000 North Lincoln Ave
A festival devoted to ribs that has over 30 food vendors. Pitmasters will compete to win awards for “Best Ribs” and “People’s Choice”. The event also has live music and an area for kids.
Chicago Caribbean Carnival
When: August 20, 2022
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Address: Midway Plaisance
A parade and festival with local artists, DJs, an arts and crafts market, food and drinks.
PorchFest Roscoe Village
When: August 21, 2022, 1 pm – 5 pm
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village
Address: Between Addison to Wellington and Ravenswood to Western
This event turns front porches into stages for local musicians.
Sangria Festival
When: August 20-21, 2022
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Address: Humboldt Park
Cost: $15-$80
Sangria Festival pairs sangria with Latin eats, live music, and dance performances. *This event is 21+.
Air + Water Show
When: August 20-21, 2022 from 10 am – 2 pm
Neighborhood: Old Town, Gold Coast, and along the Lakefront
Cost: Free
One of the biggest events of the summer, the Air + Water Show is a weekend long event in August that involves jet formation flying (often the Blue Angels) and boat demonstrations. You can see the Air + Water Show from Chicago’s beaches and rooftops near the lakefront.
Andersonville Vintage Market
When: August 21, 2022, 10 am – 3 pm
Neighborhood: Andersonville
Address: Catalpa Street between Ashland and Clark
During the Andersonville Vintage Market the neighborhood’s vintage and antique stores take over a stretch of Catalpa Street between Ashland and Clark.
Flavors of Albany Park
When: TBD
Neighborhood: Albany Park
Cost: $30 for adults
Forty restaurants participate in this event that highlights the multicultural cuisine of the Albany Park neighborhood. Attendees select one of three routes when purchasing tickets and follow a map to try bites at various restaurants.
Taste of Greektown
When: August 26-28, 2022
Neighborhood: Greektown
Address: Halsted between Van Buren and Adams
A celebration of Greek food and culture with music, live entertainment, and activities for kids.
Chalk Howard Street
When: August 27, 2022
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Address: Howard Street
Chicago’s only chalk art fest turns Howard Street into a canvas for internationally-renowned 3D and 2D chalk artists. The event also has live music, food, and drinks.
Bucktown Arts Fest
When: August 27-28, 2022
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Address: Holstein Park
Cost: Free
This festival in Holstein Park has nearly 200 artists, two music stages, and a kid’s tent with art activities.
Chicago Triathlon
When: August 27-28, 2022
The Chicago Triathlon is one of the largest in the world. Several races of different lengths are offered including a Kids Tri.