Pitchfork and Lollapalooza get enough hype. If you’re looking to hit up a music fest or two this summer, consider these ten underrated destinations. As festivals go, they more than meet the mark.
Remix Chicago
This “recyled art fair” hosts vendors selling green and sustainable crafts, and features sets from bands like the Menzingers, the Felice Brothers, Laura Stevenson, and Banner Pilot.
6/6-6/7, 1:30 PM-10 PM, $5 suggested donation, Milwaukee between Fullerton and California, remixchicago.com, all-ages.
Green Music Fest
This fest raises environmental consciousness, and features live music from bands like Shovels & Rope and Mikal Cronin.
6/20-21, Damen between North and Schiller, noon-10 PM, greenmusicfestchicago.com, $5 suggested donation, all-ages.
Logan Square Arts Festival
Formerly the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Fest, this event turns this stretch of Logan Square into an outdoor art gallery, and also features food, drinks, and live music.
6/26-6/27, noon-10 PM, Milwaukee between Kedzie and Diversey, logansquareartsfestival.com, $5 suggested donation, all-ages.
Square Roots Festival
Five stages of music from all over the world, curated by the Old Town School of Folk Music.
7/10-7/12, Fri 5 PM- 10 PM, Sat noon- 11 PM, Sun noon-9 PM, Lincoln between Montrose and Wilson, squareroots.org, $10 suggested donation for adults, $5 for kids, and $20 for families, all-ages.
West Fest
Rock-leaning street fest features sets from bands including the Murder City Devils and Dead Moon.
7/11-7/12, noon-10 PM, Chicago between Damen and Wood, westfestchicago.com $5 suggested donation, all-ages.
Fiesta de Sol
A celebration of Pilsen’s arts and culture, featuring performance from Grupo Klonadoz, Clave 5, Los Super Cats, and more.
7/30-8/2, Thu 5 PM-10 PM, Fri 5 PM-11 PM, Sat 2:45 PM-11 PM, Sun 1 PM-10 PM, 2026 S. Blue Island, fiestadelsol.org, all-ages, free.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
This Lakeview street fest celebrates its 31st year with a two-day lineup of local rock and cover bands.
5/23-5/24, noon-10 PM, Sheffield from Belmont to Roscoe, $5 suggested donation, cityofchicago.org, all-ages.
Do Division Street Fest
This rock-leaning festival’s lineup features Nothing, Black Mountain, Tobacco, and Meat Wave.
5/29-5/31, Fri 5:30 PM-10 PM, Sat and Sun 1:15 PM-10 PM, $5 suggested donation, Damen and Division, do-divisionstreetfest.com, all-ages.
Taste of Randolph Street
Tons of huge alt-rock names—Best Coast, the Dandy Warhols, and the legendary Dinosaur Jr.—play this celebration of Randolph Street’s restaurants.
6/19-6/21 900 W. Randolph, tasterandolph.com, $10 suggested donation, all-ages.
Windy City Lakeshake
This three-day country music festival is headlined by Brad Paisley, Cassadee Pope, Canaan Smith, and many more.
6/19-6/21, 2 PM-11 PM, FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, 1300 S. Linn White, lakeshakefestival.com, $199.50 for three-day pass, all-ages.
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