Every summer weekend brings a festival of some sort to the streets of Chicago, and locals and vacationers alike have long delighted in the annual ritual.
Once the chill of winter leaves the air, the Windy City becomes an ideal place to fly a kite. On May 3, kids are invited to converge on the vast lawn outside the Museum of Science and Industry to take advantage of the lakeside breeze for Mayor Daley’s Kids and Kites Fest. Fans of kite-flying are welcome to bring their favorite creations, and the grounds will feature plenty of professional fliers, soaring their customized kites with ease. But beginners need not worry: Free kits will be available for kids to build kites from scratch, offering a chance for families to construct something together.
Meanwhile, travelers who share a love of upscale art, fantastic food, live music and worthwhile entertainment visit the Chicago Summerfest in Lincoln Park by the thousands every year. This year’s event coincides with the summer solstice, June 21–22, so revelers can enjoy every last bit of daylight. And for families with creative teenage kids in tow, Summerfest’s wealth of artists and craftsmen proves an irresistible lure.
Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood is crammed with cool eateries and a population of hip urbanites who are zealous about their neighborhood. The Wicker Park Festival, July 26–27, gives locals a chance to show off. It’s also a great opportunity to shop for unique items, listen to local bands and discover the vibrancy that makes Chicago such a fascinating place to be, no matter the time of year.