May-October: Chicago Farmers Markets
Join XRT for Chicago’s Farmers Markets season this summer, now through October. Chicago Farmers Markets, presented by the City of Chicago and COUNTRY Financial offer locally grown produce at weekly markets across the city this summer and run through October, downtown and in the neighborhoods.Visit a community farmers market during the day or stop by one of the three night markets for fresh produce, live performances, arts and crafts by local artisans and more.Don’t forget to pick up your reusable bag from COUNTRY Financial at Daley Plaza or a market near you. For more information, or to see when the Chicago Farmers Markets are in your neighborhood, visit ChicagoFarmersMarkets.us. Follow The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, @ChicagoDCASE.
Look for the XRT Booth at Daley Plaza’s Famers Market on June 5th, July 3rd, August 7th, September 4th and October 2nd.
5/24-5/25: Season Grand Opening Randolph Street Market
It’s the Outdoor & Indoor Season Opener! Chicago’s Randolph Street Market, the country’s largest and liveliest urban antiques market, kicks off its 11th season May 24+25. Picture around the clock entertainment, a beer garden complete with German imports from our local distributor Louis Glunz Beers, Inc., concessions, high fashion and design stars, vintage beach bunnies, cooling stations and cabanas, fashion shows, artisan food vendors, local eateries like bellyQ and food trucks, pop-up shop visits from companies like Nordstrom, relaxation treatments, activities for children and more – the indoor/outdoor season opener is the place to be and be seen to kick off the Chicago summer! Randolph Street Market is on the 1350 block of West Randolph and Inside the Plumbers Hall at 1340 W. Washington and is open 10am-5pm. For more, follow @randolphmarket and at facebook.com/randolphstreetmarket
Look for the XRT Booth during Randolph Street Market’s opening weekend, May 24 and 25.
5/30-6/1: Do Division Street Fest
Join XRT at the Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale May 30th- June 1st on Division Street between Damen and Leavitt. Kick off 93 Days of Summer with the Do-Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale! This signature Chicago fest pits great shopping, live music and family entertainment together under the summer sun! Spanning an incredible 10-city blocks, this annual summer bash features the Family Fun Fest and great food, crafts and local goods – as well as of course some of the best live music of fest season, including JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, JD McPherson, The O’Mys, J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) and many more. The Do-Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale gives the estimated 75,000-plus attendees each year a taste of what makes West Division (aka, “Do-Division) one of the hottest destination corridors in Chicago! For more, follow Do Division @dodivision and at facebook.com/DoDivision. Look for the XRT Booth during the weekend festival!
6/2-8/11 Downtown Sound Music Series
Each Monday (Mondays, June 2nd – August 11th, not including July 28th), Millennium Park has free concerts that are an eclectic mix of musical discoveries that expands the definition of rock and pop music. Join XRT at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion every Monday, starting at 6:30pm. Downtown Sound is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. For more follow The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, @ChicagoDCASE. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
6/6-6/8: Ribfest Chicago
Join XRT Friday, June 6-Sunday, June 8 at Lincoln / Damen / Irving Park for Ribfest 2014! What ignited in the summer of 1999 as a community block party has exploded into Chicago’s most anticipated street festival—averaging 50,000 pounds of pork and 50,000+ attendees who love to kickoff summer at this three-day event. Ribfest has become a nationally recognized Indie music festival hosting two stages that feature top local and national acts. The now-famous “Kids Square” provides hours of entertainment allowing children to slide, climb, jump, ride, dance and enjoy live entertainment all weekend long. Proceeds from the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce’s largest fundraiser support a number of chamber initiatives, greening and beautification efforts, community non-profit organizations and schools. Ribfest Chicago and the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce have invested over $200,000 back into the community. For more, follow @RibfestChicago! Look for the XRT Booth during the weekend festival!
6/12: XRT Blues Breakers Blues Fest Broadcast Live from Buddy Guy’s Legends
The XRT Blues Breakers Blues Fest Broadcast, Live From Legends with Tom Marker and co-host Shemekia Copeland, starring Johnny Winter and “Big Head” Todd Park Mohr with Ronnie Baker Brooks and the Ronnie Baker Brooks Band. The Annual Blues Fest Broadcast at Legends, live from Chicago’s leading blues club, Buddy Guy’s Legends (700 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago), takes place Thursday, June 12th. Hosted by 93XRT’s Tom Marker, this special takes place on the eve of the Annual Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park. The broadcast will feature live musical performances! Admission to the event is FREE for blues fans 21 and older on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who are not able to drop in, can tune in to 93.1FM, or stream the broadcast live at 93XRT.com.
6/13-6/15: Chicago Blues Festival
The Annual Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park kicks off Thursday, June 12th through Sunday, June 15th. Celebrating the genre’s rich past and its promising future, the Chicago Blues Festival is four days of the finest blues music in the world. Performances include Billy Boy Arnold, Bettye LaVett, and Dr. John. Admission is free for hundreds of performers, with Blues workshops and nightly jams. Festival hours are Thursday, June 12: 6:30-9 pm and Friday, June 13-Sunday, June 15: 11 am-9:30 pm. For full festival line up and details visit chicagobluesfestival.us. For more follow The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, @ChicagoDCASE.
Going to Blues Fest? Look for XRT to get your souvenir button and XRT-shirt!
6/14-6/15: Old Town Art Fair
Chicago’s historic Old Town Triangle district conducts their annual art fair which hosts 250 nationally acclaimed artists inside the beautifully preserved “Old Town Triangle” neighborhood (located north of North Avenue, between Sedgwick and Clark). “Real Art & Real Fun” is the simplest way to describe this family-friendly, classic Chicago art fair. In addition to being one of America’s oldest art fairs, this year the organizers showcase the highest number of new artists in years. Other highlights of the 2014 Old Town Art Fair include the coveted “Garden Walk”, featuring a rare look at more than 50 hidden gardens of Old Town, many local favorite food and drink vendors, a Children’s Corner with fire truck, and music performances. The fair is open 10am-6pm on June 14th- June 15th. For more, follow at facebook.com/OldTownArtFair
6/20: Bike to Work Rally
This rally converges thousands of bicycle enthusiasts on Daley Plaza to celebrate the City’s commitment to the biking community. This one-day, high-energy event is packed with a full day of activities including, live music, raffles and guest speakers. The week’s festivities will culminate on Friday, June 20th at 7 a.m. with the Bike to Work Rally on Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn streets). Join cyclists for live music and continental breakfast provided by 7-Eleven and Door-to-Door Organics. Also, all cyclists will receive a FREE T-shirt as well as use of the complimentary valet bike parking complimentary Kickstart by Mountain Dew.
For more follow The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, @ChicagoDCASE. Presented by the City of Chicago. Look for the XRT Booth at Daley Plaza!
6/20-6/22: The Two Brothers Summer Festival
Join Two Brothers Brewing Company and XRT at the Annual The Two Brothers Summer Festival: Great Beer. Great Food. Great Bands! This year’s festival is located at Two Brothers Roundhouse (205 N. Broadway Aurora, IL 60507) on Friday, June 20th from 5pm-11pm, Saturday June 21st from noon-11pm and Sunday June 22nd from noon-5pm. This zero-waste event features great craft beer, sustainable and organic food, and performances from Justin Townes Earle, Autumn Defense, Los Lobos, and Ralph’s World! Ample free parking or take Metra right to the festival gates. For tickets, directions, and more info visit hopjuicefestival.com. For more, follow @TwoBrothersBeer. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
6/21: Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Hunger Walk
Join XRT at the Annual Hunger Walk! The annual Hunger Walk benefits pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Cook County that are members of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s network. More than 845,000 people in Cook County are food insecure, uncertain of where their next meal will come from. Help us end hunger in our community, register or donate today! One Community, One Belief: No One Should Go Hungry.
6/21-6/22: Green Music Festival
Green Music Festival is June 21st and 22nd on Damen Ave. between North and Schiller. Chicago is one of the greenest cities in America. There’s no better way to educate the community on their environmentally-friendly options than with an entertaining festival! The annual Green Music Fest in the heart of Wicker Park does our green city proud by fusing great bands with environmentally sustainable practices and eco-minded vendors, arts & crafts and kid’s activities – all in an effort to inspire change in the community and lifestyles of its residents. For more, follow @greenmusicfest or at facebook.com/greenmusicfest Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
6/22: L.A.T.E. Ride – “Light Up the Night”
Friends of the Parks’ L.A.T.E. Ride is a 25-mile fun, exuberant, nocturnal bike ride that starts at 1:00 a.m. at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park and takes riders through over a dozen of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods, several parks and along the Lakefront Trail. Riders finish in Grant Park as the sun rises over Lake Michigan. Friends of the Parks L.A.T.E. Ride is a fun ride, not a race. It is a lighthearted way to be active outdoors and see Chicago’s neighborhoods and lakefront as you never see them, in the middle of a beautiful summer night. Join XRT for this ride-Register now! Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
6/27: World’s Largest Block Party
Join XRT at Old St. Pat’s Annual World’s Largest Block Party on June 27th and 28th in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 22nd at10:00 a.m at worldslargestblockparty.com. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door – includes Four FREE beverages of beer, wine or soda and live music! Join XRT on Friday night for performances from Guster and G Love and the Special Sauce! For more follow at facebook.com/OldStPatricksChurch or @ Oldstpats Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
6/27-6/28 Blues on the Fox
One of the most heralded Blues Festivals in the Midwest takes the stage to celebrate its 18th Season!
Friday, June 27 through Saturday the 28th, it’s smoking music, cold beers and beautiful scenery right on the Fox River. Performances include: Joe Louis Walker, Jimmie Vaughan, Samantha Fish, Tab Benoit, Taj Mahal, and Los Lonely Boys. One-day and two-day passes available. Tickets start at $10. Call 630-896-6666 or visit RiverEdgeAurora.com. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
6/28-6/29: Randolph Street Market
It’s the Outdoor & Indoor Season! Boasting an exciting array of vintage and modern decorative objects, home furnishings, art, fashion, and jewelry assembled in downtown Chicago. The Market features quality antique dealers of furnishings, house wares, vintage clothing, and more. The Market is on the 1350 block of West Randolph and Inside the Plumbers Hall at 1340 W. Washington and is open 10am-5pm. For more, follow @randolphmarket and at facebook.com/randolphstreetmarket
6/29: The 45th Annual Chicago Pride Parade
The Pride Parade is Sunday, June 29th at Noon, stepping off at Broadway & Montrose. Look for the XRT Float with Terri Hemmert and other XRT personalities as we cruise through Lakeview for the 45th Annual Pride Parade!
7/3 and 7/6 Naperville Ribfest
Join XRT on Thursday, July 3rd at Ribfest Naperville for a live performance from the Bodeans! And on July 6th for d Sonny Landreth and Dirty Dozen Brass Band! The 27th Naperville Ribfest will be held July 3 – 6, 2014, in Knoch Park in central Naperville. Ribfest consists of family activities, award-winning rib vendors from across the country, carnival rides, and crowd-pleasing musical entertainment. 100% of the proceeds from Ribfest go to support the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
7/11-7/13: Square Roots
Join XRT July 11th-13th at Square Roots; we’re tapping into all that Lincoln Square has to offer. Square Roots is back this year with two outdoor stages, two indoor stages, and over 60 acts! The fest features unique vendors, delicious local food, and pouring over 30 craft beers! For more, follow facebook.com/SquareRootsChicago Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
7/12: XRT Concert at Taste of Chicago starring Jeff Tweedy
Taste of Chicago is the nation’s premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s dining community. The delicious array of food served at Taste of Chicago is complemented by music and exciting activities for the entire family. Every summer since 1980, Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park on the city’s magnificent lakefront has been home to the world’s largest food festival.
Taste brings back popular new features such as the Celebrity Chef du Jour, a specially prepared sit-down, three-course meal by a noted chef, Pop Ups, a restaurant on site for just one day as well as great free entertainment. Plus there are plenty of activities for the kids in the Family Village. Headline acts at the Petrillo Music Shell include Janelle Monae & Gary Clark Jr. (July 10th), Nickel Creek & Emmylou Harris (July 11th), Jeff Tweedy (July 12th) and Aloe Blacc & The Wailers (July 13th).
Join XRT on Saturday, July 12 at Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park for the XRT Concert at Taste of Chicago starring Jeff Tweedy! Presented in association with City Of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. Admission is free – with a limited quantity of general admission seating available for purchase. For more follow The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, @ChicagoDCASE. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
7/12-7/13: West Fest
There is something for everyone at West Fest, the Chicago street fair that reflects the eclectic persona of its West Town environs. Held annually on Chicago Avenue at Damen, the two-day party features live cutting edge music on 3 stages! The main stage is booked by Empty Bottle Presents, then there is a DJ Stage, and a Kid Fest Stage. There are Kid Fest activities and entertainment, PUPFest with pet product vendors and dog activities for charity, plus a multitude of booths from popular neighborhood restaurants, retailers, and artists. What makes this fest unique is that it’s locally planned and managed by the West Town Chamber of Commerce, thus the emphasis is all-things “local,” from the food to the talent. For more follow @westfestchicago or facebook.com/westfestchicago Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
7/18-7/20: Pitchfork Music Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival returns July 18th-20th to Chicago’s beautiful Union Park. For schedules, tickets or more details visit, pitchforkmusicfestival.com or @pitchforkfest. This year’s line- up includes: Beck, St. Vincent, Kendrick Lamar, Neutral Milk Hotel, Grimes, Giorgio Moroder , Sun Kil Moon, Danny Brown, Real Estate, Tune-Yards, Sharon Van Etten, Cloud Nothings, and more!
7/25-7/27: Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival
Jefferson Memorial Park’s lush green lawn transforms into a giant backyard for all to enjoy over the course of the three-day Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival! The festival kicks off on Friday, July 25th through Sunday, July 27th, with three days of fun things to do, see and savor including: Rockin’ concerts by top musical artists on the Main Stage! Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival features local artisans from Urban Folk Circuit, Chicago’s only year-round, traveling craft market in addition to local merchants and artisans. The festival includes a convoy of food trucks and vendors in addition to a Beer & Wine tent. Jefferson Memorial Park is located at 4822 N. Long Avenue. Admission is $7 per person, or $5 before 5 o’clock. Children ages 12 and under are free. For more information, go to jefffest.org and follow @JeffFestChicago on Twitter! Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
7/26-7/27: Randolph Street Market
It’s the Outdoor & Indoor Season! Boasting an exciting array of vintage and modern decorative objects, home furnishings, art, fashion, and jewelry assembled in downtown Chicago. The Market features quality antique dealers of furnishings, house wares, vintage clothing, and more. The Market is on the 1350 block of West Randolph and Inside the Plumbers Hall at 1340 W. Washington and is open 10am-5pm. For more, follow @randolphmarket and at facebook.com/randolphstreetmarket
7/26-7/27: Wicker Park Fest
Wicker Park Fest is July 27 and 28 on Milwaukee Avenue from North Avenue to Wood Street in Wicker Park. Enjoy all of Wicker Park’s best food, art, and music in one street festival. Wicker Park Fest Kids features kids’ performers and more! Wicker Park Fest is a showcase of its diverse neighborhood. Historic yet hip, Chicago’s Wicker Park and Bucktown district offers a variety of lifestyle options, including distinctive art, acclaimed restaurants, family activities and a trendy fashion scene, all represented at the fest. The festival is open Noon-10pm, admission $5. For more, follow @wickerparkfest. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
8/1-8/3: Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is back in Chicago’s Grant Park, August 1-3, 2014! Performances include Kings Of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, The Avett Brothers, Broken Bells, Spoon, The Head And The Heart, Cage The Elephant, Cut / Copy, Fitz & The Tantrums, Grouplove, Portugal.The Man, Glen Hansard, Jenny Lewis, John Butler Trio, Phosphorescent, White Denim , Typhoon, Lucius, Delta Rae, Courtney Barnett, and many more! Check 93XRT.com for performance highlights, exclusive interviews, photos and more throughout the festival!
8/9-8/10: Northalsted Market Days
The Annual Northalsted Market Days are August 9th and 10th at Belmont and Halsted, spanning six city blocks- the largest two-day street fair in the Midwest. Featuring 400 food, arts, and crafts vendors and live music on 4 stages. The festival kicks off at 11am Saturday and Sunday! For more follow, @northalsted. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
8/30-8/31 Remix Chicago
Summer’s not over yet! Join XRT at Remix Chicago in Logan Square for a celebration of re-purposed arts and crafts, workshops, kid’s activities, and of course, food, beer and live music. Logan Square hosts the festival on Milwaukee Avenue between Fullerton and California Avenues. The event is from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
8/22-8/24: Downtown Palatine Street Fest
The Annual Downtown Palatine Street Fest is August 22nd-24th in downtown Palatine. Enjoy the last of summer with the whole family. Downtown Palatine Street Fest has been the premier suburban street festival since 2000. Downtown Palatine Street Fest features live music, local cuisine, and family entertainment and activities for all 3 days! Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there on Friday and Sunday!
8/30-8/31: Randolph Street Market
It’s the Outdoor & Indoor Season! Boasting an exciting array of vintage and modern decorative objects, home furnishings, art, fashion, and jewelry assembled in downtown Chicago. The Market features quality antique dealers of furnishings, house wares, vintage clothing, and more. The Market is on the 1350 block of West Randolph and Inside the Plumbers Hall at 1340 W. Washington and is open 10am-5pm. For more, follow @randolphmarket and at facebook.com/randolphstreetmarket
9/6-9/7 Renegade Craft Fair
Join XRT at the 12th annual Renegade Craft Fair this September 6 + 7 in the heart of Wicker Park – Division St. between Damen and Paulina Avenues. The Renegade Craft Fair Chicago Summer Market showcases the best and brightest indie craft talents from across the US and abroad attracting over 65,000 attendees each September. Featuring 300+ artisans and makers, local food and booze, hands-on workshops, art installations, music and more, there is something for everyone! Come on out and Shop Handmade!
For more information, follow Renegade Craft Fair @RenegadeCraft and at
Facebook.com/RenCraftFair
9/13-9/14 Lakeview East Festival of the Arts
The Lakeview East Festival of the Arts showcases more than 150 artists featuring world class original paintings, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry and more. Live demonstrations and live music round out this festival nicely, which takes place on Broadway Avenue just north of Belmont, September 13th and 14th from 10am – 6pm and 10am-5pm respectively. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
9/28-9/29: Randolph Street Market
It’s the Outdoor & Indoor Season! Boasting an exciting array of vintage and modern decorative objects, home furnishings, art, fashion, and jewelry assembled in downtown Chicago. The Market features quality antique dealers of furnishings, house wares, vintage clothing, and more. The Market is on the 1350 block of West Randolph and Inside the Plumbers Hall at 1340 W. Washington and is open 10am-5pm. For more, follow @randolphmarket and at facebook.com/randolphstreetmarket
9/20-9/21: Design Harvest
Shop Design Harvest on September 20th and 21st from 11am-6pm on Grand Avenue (Damen & Wood). This one of a kind fest will feature Chicago’s best local furniture and home accessory makers, vintage and antique collectors, and local retailers of the home design industry. Renegade Handmade will present a “DIY” tent previewing their best in the home design industry. Enjoy a beer or coffee and live music while you check out all the home style!
10/25-10/26: Randolph Street Market
It’s the Outdoor & Indoor Season! Boasting an exciting array of vintage and modern decorative objects, home furnishings, art, fashion, and jewelry assembled in downtown Chicago. The Market features quality antique dealers of furnishings, house wares, vintage clothing, and more. The Market is on the 1350 block of West Randolph and Inside the Plumbers Hall at 1340 W. Washington and is open 10am-5pm. For more, follow @randolphmarket and at facebook.com/randolphstreetmarket