5/23-5/24: 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 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.
5/29-5/31: Do Division Street Fest
Join XRT at the Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale May 29th-31st 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 Temples, Nick Waterhouse, Tobacco, Black Mountain, Murder By Death, Masked Intruder 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!
6/6-6/7: Remix Chicago
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!
6/12-6/14: Ribfest Chicago
Join XRT June 12th-14th at Lincoln / Damen / Irving Park for Ribfest 2015! 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!
6/13-6/14: 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 2015 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 13th-14th. For more, follow at facebook.com/OldTownArtFair
6/19-6/20: Blues on the Fox
One of the most heralded Blues Festivals in the Midwest takes the stage to celebrate its 19th Season! Friday, June 19th through Saturday the 20th, it’s smoking music, cold beers and beautiful scenery right on the Fox River. Performances include: Mavis Staples, North Mississippi All Stars, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Otis Taylor Band and Moreland and Arbuckle. One-day passes available. Tickets start at $10. Call 630-896-6666 or visit RiverEdgeAurora.com. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
6/20-6/21: Green Music Fest
Green Music Festival is June 20th and 21st 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!
6/26-6/28: 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 26th from 5pm-11pm, Saturday June 27st from 3pm-11pm and Sunday June 28nd from noon-6pm. This zero-waste event features great craft beer, sustainable and organic food, and performances from Dawes, Jason Isbell, Train Company, Cornmeal, Under the Willow and Brent Brown!,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!
6/27: Old St. Patricks Block Party
Old St. Pat’s Church will host its 31th annual World’s Largest Block Party on Saturday, June 27th. The funds from the event will go towards social justice initiatives, outreach programs locally and abroad, and strengthening the mission of Old St. Patrick’s. This year’s edition takes place in a new location, UIC Festival Lot, 1145 S Morgan St. For more information, visit worldslargestblockparty.com.
6/27-6/28: 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
7/2-7/5: Naperville Ribfest
Naperville Ribfest will be held July 2nd- 5th, 2015, 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.
7/10-7/12: Square Roots
Join XRT July 10th-12th 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!
7/11-7/12: 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!
7/25-7/26: 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
7/25-7/26: Wicker Park Fest
Wicker Park Fest is July 25 and 26 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!
8/8-8/9: Northalsted Market Days
The Annual Northalsted Market Days are August 8th and 9th 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!
8/28-8/30: Downtown Palatine Street Fest
The Annual Downtown Palatine Street Fest is August 28th-30th 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!
8/28-8/29: 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
9/12-9/13: 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 12th-13th from 10am – 6pm and 10am-5pm respectively. Look for the XRT Booth while you’re there!
9/19-9/20: Renegade Craft Fair
Join XRT at the annual Renegade Craft Fair this September 19th and 20th 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
9/26-9/27: 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
9/26-9/27: Design Harvest
Shop Design Harvest on September 26th and 27th 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!