OLD ST. PATRICK’S WORLD’S LARGEST BLOCK PARTY, July 22-23; Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 W. Adams St. (corner of Desplaines and Adams Streets). Live music, including local and national acts; beer, wine, food from local restaurants. Must be 21 to attend. 312-782-6173.
CHICAGO TO MACKINAC ISLAND YACHT RACE, July 23; begins at Monroe Harbor. One of the world’s oldest ocean yacht races, with nearly 300 boats competing annually in the 333-mile course. Hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club. 312-861-7777.
GHANAFEST, July 23; Du Sable Museum, 740 E. 56th Place. 312-487-0505.
LAKEVIEW EAST STREET FESTIVAL, July 23-24; Diversey Parkway and Roscoe Street. Arts and crafts exhibits, entertainment, children’s activities, food. 312-348-8608 or 312-868-3010.
MILLER LITE PRO-AM BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, July 23-24; North Avenue Beach. 312-935-9923.
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL, July 23-24; Berger Park-North, Lakeside Cultural Center, 6100 N. Sheridan Rd. 312-743-4477.
SHEFFIELD GARDEN WALK AND FESTIVAL, July 23-24; Webster and Sheffield Avenues. More than 100 private gardens open for public view, musical entertainment, garage sales, “Kids’ Korner,” food from Sheffield neighborhood restaurants. 312-929-WALK.
CHICAGO LUNG ASSOCIATION CHICAGO DISTANCE CLASSIC, July 24; race begins at Grant Park, Congress Parkway at Lake Shore Drive. 312-243-2000.
CHINATOWN SUMMER FAIR, July 24; Wentworth Avenue between 22nd and 24th Streets. Oriental folk dancing, martial arts demonstrations, traditional arts and crafts including calligraphy, painting and photography, farmers market, sidewalk sale, fireworks, parade. 312-225-6198.
ROGERS PARK/WEST RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD FOUNDERS’ DAY PICNIC, July 24; St. Scholastica School grounds, 7416 N. Ridge Blvd. 312-764-4078.
ST. ANDREW’S GREEK FESTIVAL, July 24; 5649 N. Sheridan Rd., 312-334-4515.
CHICAGO, THAT TODDLING TOWN FESTIVAL, July 28-31; 5000 S. Kostner Ave. 312-585-1221.
FIESTA DEL SOL (FESTIVAL OF THE SUN), July 28-30; Blue Island Avenue between 18th Street and Cermak Road. Mexican food, arts and crafts, music, entertainment, dancing, free immunizations and physicals for school-age children. 312-666-2663.
NEWBERRY LIBRARY BOOK FAIR, July 29-31; 60 W. Walton St. On Saturday, the fair will sponsor the Bughouse Square Debates in Washington Square Park, with speakers arguing topical issues in an old-world style. Subjects of special interest at the book fair this year include art, architecture, cooking, gardening, science-fiction, music, mysteries, history, children’s books, African-American studies, women’s studies, Judaica, collectibles and popular fiction. 312-642-2335.
SHOOT-THE-BULL 3-ON-3 CLASSIC, July 29-31; Grant Park, Columbus Drive between Jackson Boulevard and Congress Parkway. Open basketball tournament with entertainment and contests, benefiting CharitaBulls, the Chicago Bulls’ charity organization, and the Illinois Special Olympics. 312-943-5800.
CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT BEACH OPEN VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, July 30; North Avenue Beach. 312-935-9923.
NEIGHBORHOOD UNITY FEST, July 30; Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine Drive. 312-878-7101.
LINCOLN PARK’S FARM-IN-THE-ZOO, July 30-31; country fair in the city with food, country and bluegrass music, square dancing, storytelling, kiddie tractor pull and farm animals. 312-294-4674.
NORTH HALSTED MARKET DAYS, July 30-31; Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street. Live music, food, beer, arts and crafts by Midwest artists. 312-868-3010.
TASTE OF LINCOLN AVENUE, July 30-31; Lincoln Avenue between Fullerton and Wrightwood Avenues. Live bands, restaurants, arts and crafts and children’s fair. $3 admission. 312-348-6784.
WESTSIDE ALIVE SAVE THE CHILDREN FESTIVAL, July 30-31; 1333 N. Laramie Ave. 312-378-0532.
BICYCLE FEST, July 31; Caldwell Woods, 6200 W. Devon Ave. 28-mile bike-athon. Advance registration required. 708-771-1014.
ROGERS PARK GARDEN WALK, July 31; 1629 W. Morse Ave. Tour area gardens, followed by high tea. $6 admission. 312-338-7722.
August
TASTE OF MIDWAY FESTIVAL, Aug. 3-7; 5500 S. Lorel Ave. Sponsored by St. Camillus Parish. Ethnic foods, music, games, rides, children’s activities. 312-767-8183.
CHEMICAL BANK CORPORATE CHALLENGE, Aug. 4; Grant Park, Columbus and Balbo Drives. 3.5-mile road race open to full-time employees of businesses. Part of a series of 24 races scheduled throughout the U.S. and Europe. 6:45 p.m. start time. 312-274-6792.
OZ PARK FESTIVAL, Aug. 5-7; Oz Park, Lincoln and Webster Avenues and Larrabee Street. Multicultural music, food, craft exhibits, animals, live music, theater, children’s activities. 312-880-5200.
PULLMAN JAZZ & BLUES FEST, Aug. 5-6; Gately Park, 101st Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. 312-928-6300.
ST. ANDREW’S SUMMERFEST, Aug. 5-7; 1658 W. Addison St. (Paulina and Addison Streets). Casino, ethnic foods, live entertainment, bingo, games, rides, raffle, beer garden. 312-525-3016.
CHICAGO PEACE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, Aug. 6-7; Cricket Hill, Lincoln Park between Wilson and Montrose Avenues, east of Lake Shore Drive. Entertainers, poets, live music, vendors of healthy foods, clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts, not-for-profit organizations. 312-252-9150.
INDIA DAY PARADE, Aug. 6; Dearborn Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street. 312-744-3315.
JAZZFEST ’94, Aug. 6-7; South Shore Cultural Center, 71st Street and South Shore Drive. 312-667-2707.
OLD TIMERS OF LILYDALE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL, Aug. 6; Abbott Park, 49 E. 95th St. Jazz and gospel music, dancing, art exhibits. Rain date Aug. 7. 312-928-1251.
PAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL, Aug. 6-7; Arvey Field, Grant Park, 12th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Pan American food, dancing, entertainment. 312-944-7272.
SOUTH CHICAGO FEST ’94, Aug. 6-7; 9100 S. Exchange St. 312-768-1221.
VIVA MEXICO FESTIVAL, Aug. 6-7, Arvey Field, Grant Park, 12th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Mexican food, festivities, children’s events. 312-944-7272.
ARMENIAN FEST, Aug. 7-8; St. Gregory Armenian Church, 6700 W. Diversey Ave. Armenian food specialties from shish kebabs to baked goods, American and Armenian music, dancing, children’s games. 312-637-1711.
GOLD COAST ART FAIR, Aug. 12-14; River North area, bounded by Superior, Ontario, Dearborn and Franklin Streets.
ALL-ELVIS WEEKEND, Aug. 13-14; Bub City, 901 W. Weed St. Live music, Elvis impersonators, Priscilla Presley look-alikes, jelly donuts. 312-266-1200.
BREWFEST ’94, Aug. 13-14; Bub City, 901 W. Weed St. Beer from 30 Midwest breweries, live music, volleyball courts. 312-266-1200.
BUD BILLIKEN PARADE, Aug. 13; 39th Street and King Drive to Washington Park. Neighborhood children’s parade with marching bands, dancers, music, floats. 312-225-2400.
TASTE OF RIVER NORTH, Aug. 13-14; Superior Street between LaSalle and Wells Streets. Adjacent to the Gold Coast Art Fair, featuring food from 40 River North area restaurants, family entertainment including jazz, rock, folk and the Prairie State Ballet. 312-645-1047.
MUSIC UNDER THE STARS, Aug. 14 (rain date Aug. 20); Morgan Park Academy grounds, 2153 W. 111th St. 312-642-2335.
MEXICAN FIESTA IN THE GARDEN, Aug. 18; Lawrence House Retirement Hotel, 1020 W. Lawrence Ave. Music, food, entertainment. 312-561-2100.
FESTA ITALIANA, Aug. 19-21; Arvey Field, Grant Park, 12th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Entertainment, food, family and children’s events. 312-829-8888.
GINZA HOLIDAY, Aug. 19-21; Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W. Menomonee St. Art and craft demonstrations, taiko (drum) groups, classical and folk dance troupes, martial arts demonstrations, pottery-making and flower arranging, exhibitions and demonstrations of bonsai, ceramics, calligraphy, brush painting and Japanese crafts. 312-943-7801.
GREEK FESTIVAL, Aug. 19-21; 2727 Winona St. 312-561-5992.
CONCOURSE D’ELEGANCE, Aug. 20; Grant Park, Congress Parkway and Lake Shore Drive. Entertainment, food, children’s events. 312-563-0495.
MONT CLARE FOLK FESTIVAL, Aug. 20; Mont Clare Congregational Church, 6935 W. Medill Ave. Music, workshops, craft demonstrations and crafts including woodwork, photoscapes, jewelry, fiber art, crocheted and knitted pieces, leather goods and tie-dyed items. 312-714-0328.
BRAINARD COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLAY DAYS, Aug. 20-21; Brainard Park, 1246 W. 92nd St. Fireworks, contests, dancing and health mobile. 312-239-5620 or 312-881-1799.
STORYTELLING FESTIVAL, Aug. 20-21; North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. 312-744-5472 or 312-744-5716.
FREEDOM COLORS DREAM DAY, Heritage Sunday, Aug. 21; South Shore Cultural Center, 71st Street and Lake Shore Drive. Dream Day Aug. 28; Marquette Park. Celebrations of African-Americans and civil rights, using colors and the music and the messages of the 1960s, motorcade and parade. 312-737-7328.
ALCOCK’S 7TH ANNUAL CARING FOR KIDS DAY, Aug. 26; Alcock’s, 411 S. Wells St. With Bob Stroud and the Rock `n’ Roll Diner from WCKG-FM 105.9 and “Ruckus,” WCKG-FM’s house band. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pork chops, beer booth and basketball “Pop-a-Shot” games. Benefiting efforts against juvenile diabetes. 312-922-1778.
CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW, Aug. 27-28; along the waterfront. Featuring civilian and military air and water craft, performances by the Blue Angels. 312-744-3370 or 312-294-4772.
COUNTRYFEST, Aug. 27-28; Sheffield and Marcey Avenues between North Avenue and Clybourn Street. Country, cajun, folk and alternative rock. $4 admission. 312-348-6784.
TASTE OF GARFIELD, Aug. 27; 4241 W. Washington Blvd. Children’s games, ethnic food, farmer’s market, raffles, entertainment, community booths. 312-722-8333.
ARGYLE FEST, Aug. 28; Argyle Street between Broadway Street and Sheridan Road. Food, arts and crafts, clowns, music, dancing, face painting. 312-784-2900.
September
TASTE OF POLONIA FESTIVAL, Sept. 1-5; Copernicus Plaza, Lawrence and Milwaukee Avenues. Polish and other food, live entertainment, midway, games. 312-777-8898.
CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL, Sept. 2-4; Petrillo Music Shell, Grant Park, Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard. World’s largest free outdoor jazz festival, featuring local, national and international musicians. 312-744-3315.
FESTA DE AL VILLITA, Sept. 3-5; Douglas Park, 19th Street and California Avenue. Mexican celebration with food and entertainment. 312-521-5387.
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE, Sept. 3; Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. 312-744-4691.
ST. XAVIER UNIVERSITY IRISH FEST, Sept. 3-4; St. Xavier University campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. Irish music and dancing, lectures, poetry readings, art, theater, children’s activities, imported crafts, food, $50,000 “Bit O’ Green” raffle. 312-298-3888.
LABOR DAY PARADE, Sept. 5; Dearborn Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street. 312-744-4691.
LABOR DAY PICNIC, Sept. 5; Lawrence House Retirement Hotel, 1020 W. Lawrence Ave. 312-561-2100.
EDISON PARK FEST, Sept. 10-11; 6600-6800 blocks of Northwest Highway. Arts and crafts fair, entertainment, sidewalk sale, parade, Taste of Edison Park, lawnmobile, Tae Kwon Do demonstration, raffle. 312-631-0063.
VIVA! CHICAGO, Sept. 10-11; Petrillo Music Shell, Grant Park, Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard. Musicians and performers from Mexico, Latin America, South America and the Caribbean, local and national acts, food. 312-744-3315.
BURNHAM PARK 5K RENAISSANCE RUN AND WALK, Sept. 11; 700 S. Dearborn St. 312-987-1980.
MISERICORDIA FAMILY FESTIVAL, Sept. 11; 6300 N. Ridge Ave. Entertainment and games for the entire family. 312-973-6300.
BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST, Sept. 14-17; Adams Street between State and Dearborn Streets. German food and beer from the Berghoff restaurant. 312-427-3170.
FESTIVAL OF SAN GENNARO, Sept. 16-18; Halsted and Harrison Streets. An Italian street festival honoring the saint of Naples, featuring a traditional procession and mass Sept. 18 from Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 1224 W. Lexington St., throughout Little Italy. 708-896-2926 or 312-775-9734.
GERMAN DAY FESTIVAL, Sept. 16-18; Leland, Lincoln and Western Avenues. Von Steuben Parade, Sept. 17, Dearborn Street at Wacker Drive. 312-267-7326.
AIDS WALK CHICAGO, Sept. 18; Randolph Street and the lakefront. 312-665-1700.
HISTORY/MYSTERY BIKE TOUR/TASTE OF BEVERLY, Sept. 18 (rain date Sept. 25); Ridge Park, 96th Street and Longwood Drive. 312-233-3100.
57TH STREET CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR, Sept. 25; 57th Street between Kimbark and Dorchester Avenues. 312-346-6033.
