Follow your senses to these fair / festival destinations this June.
Chicago Blues Festival: June 10-12, Grant Park
Shake the blues loose at Chicago’s largest music festival with big sounds from Shemekia Copeland, Fred Wesley, and an Otis Rush Tribute. Feel the rhythm at Jackson & Columbus: 11 AM-9:30 PM daily. Admission is free.
Ribfest Chicago: June 10-12, North Center
Own “messy” with a smattering of ribs and sides from Robinson’s #1 Ribs, Q BBQ, The Piggery and more. Counter the meat with goodies from Black Dog Gelato, Dinky Donuts, Inc. and other vendors. Make sure to pack some wet wipes. Eat up: Friday, 5-10 PM; Saturday, 12-10 PM; Sunday, 12-10 PM at Lincoln Avenue / Irving Park Road / Damen Avenue.
Pilsen Food Truck Social: June 11-12, Pilsen
Spend your weekend with the finest food on wheels. Whether you’re craving cupcakes, empanadas, pierogis, Revolution brew, or deli classics, secure your fill of morsels and live music here. Thalia Hall and Empty Bottle Presents offer a diverse lineup plus mariachi to amplify the mood. Dust off your Lucha Libre mask, and get cultured: Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM-10 PM. $5 optional donation.
Taste of Randolph: June 17-19, West Loop
Peter Bjorn and John, MS MR, and Atlas Genius will feed your ears while you sample grub from 20 stellar restaurants. Make extra room for Publican Quality Meats, City Winery, bellyQ and Hello Tacos. Take to the streets for the 3-day, 6 block fest’s 20th anniversary.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series: select Mondays and Thursdays from June 21 through August 25, Millennium Park
Revisit the 80s with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: Tuesday, June 21, and digest Soul Food: Tuesday, June 28. Stake out your Great Lawn space in time for 6:30 PM show times. Tune in next month for more classics like A League of Their Own, Thelma & Louise, Moonstruck and Silence of the Lambs. Until then, practice your “Good evening, Clarice”.
Renegade Craft Fair: June 25-26, West Town
Support local arts, crafts, noms and noises with this bi-yearly marvel. The Hideout hosts an inspiring collective of over 150 “makers” and their jewelry, flair, ceramics, clothing, paper goods, and knickknacks. Cling to handmade treasures while sucking on a streetpop and shooting the breeze with new and probably more interesting friends. Hours: 11 AM-6 PM.
Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party: June 25, University Village
Get carried away with this year’s block party headliners: Passion Pit. Arrive at the UIC Festival Lot (1145 S Morgan, between Taylor & Roosevelt) as early as 5:30 PM. 7th Heaven and JD McPherson will warm up the stage until the sleepyheads emerge at 9:30 PM. Connie’s Pizza and other Chicago fest fare will be in attendance. Tickets are $40, and include three free beverages.
Pride Parade: June 26, Lakeview
Don your rainbow-hued apparel and accessories for the 47th annual float and fun-heavy event! Be bold, be proud, and be ready to join a million other parade enthusiasts around 12 PM at Halsted and Broadway between Montrose and Diversey.