This is so much a late-spring tradition that it's hard for me to look at it critically. It's a lovely area and there's some interesting art here, but nothing that compelled me. Maybe if I were in need of expensive artisanal jewelry I'd have been more engaged with the offerings but mostly I just enjoy the music and architecture. Right after the pandemic the crowds in the area were insane; things have calmed down considerably. The whole thing is habit-forming in a good way. read more

If you're looking for modern contemporary art in sculpture, metal, glass, paintings, tile and some truly stunning photographs(shout out to - Darren Olson photography), then you've come to the right art fair. The sheer volume of booths will tire you out. There is live music scattered around. There's a life to the crowd here that you don't get at the Gold Coast art fair. The crowd here looks understated bougie. A definite plus is the houses around old town - it's uniquely quaint. This year some of them are highlighted in a map house tours. Im posting this on a Saturday- if can come tomorrow don't hesitate. It's quintessential summer in Chicago! read more

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June 11 & 12, 2022-Was the first time that Old Town Art Fair made a return after the COVID-19 Pandemic! Location: Starts on the CORNER of NORTH AVENUE and RUNS DOWN WELLS STREET Foot Traffic ONLY Cost: Free; however, there was a $10.00 suggested donation Venues: 1. Food from all over the place: mostly Wisconsin and Illinois Based=Examples (see attached pictures) -Cheesesteaks -Cheesesteak Fries -Italian Food -Fried Cheese Curds 2. Self-Service Photo Booths 3. Artists from ALL OVER: Selling: Paintings, prints, jewelry, pottery, wooden cheese boards...etc.... What is nice is that individuals can interact with the artists directly and it makes the whole event more meaningful! It is a two day event and enjoyed by both families, individuals, couples, groups, young and old-will NOT disappoint! SPONSOR: The Old Town Fair is sponsored by the Merchants and Residents Association of Old Town. read more

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We visited Chicago and a friend said this event was a must attend. Lots of vendors! Some beautiful pieces.

Gettin' artsy and sophisticated! This is such a fun festival! It celebrates the arts and food of Chicago! We came here, and walked the entire length of the festival, checking out scores of local artists, and others from across the country who come here to show off their work! They have stuff that is a lot of Chicago themed art, in all kinds of media. We saw jewelry, posters, sculptures, paintings, prints- you name it. There's also food! There's all kinds of restaurants along Wells Street, of course. But there's also booths that sell food for being on the go that benefit local charities, ostensibly. There was a voluntary admission, that benefited some charity. Expect live music- we saw a few bands, including the Wedding Banned, which is a fun cover band with lots of girls with tramp stamps getting white girl wasted. Gotta love it. When I went, Michelob Ultra was giving away free samples! Even better. Seriously, there was a whole lot of art here- with maybe a hundred different booths, or more with a varied assortment of art, subjects, and media. read more

2017 Old Town Art Fairs 69th year. The quality of artists and their artwork at this fair continue to excel and is rated the number one art fair in America. There are 2 art fairs in the Old Town Area that run on the same weekend. I asked one of the people at the fair that had some beautiful forged metal artwork. She told me the artists at this fair (North of North Ave, west of Lincoln Ave & Armitage to the north) were selected for the high quality of their artwork, but were limited to the number of artists due to the area available. Since their are many artists that weren't able to be included due to lack of space ended up south of North Ave running along Wells Street. That being said artwork like food is very subjective to your personal tastes, but I would have to agree with her as their was such a vast array of beautiful artwork displayed in a variety of mediums & materials, from spectacular photography to sculptures, creations of blown glass w/colors infused, glass edges cut smooth while still in the molten state, jewelry, ceramic creations, metal sculptures from wall mounted to free standing...to many to mention. Overall there was such a incredible variety of artwork to view it made for a very entertaining day going from booth to booth. I love going to these art fairs for everything that is brought to the table. 1). The artists and the creations they displayed. 2) People watching 3). Entertainment with some live music 4). Limited food and drink vendors. The only downside is it was 91 degrees & a bit too warm for my comfort level. Unfortunately we only had about 2 hrs due to a previous commitment so we couldn't take in the artwork in a leisurely way. We also didn't get a chance to go the the other side of North Avenue, Cie la vie it was still a great way to spend a few hours. read more

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The official kick off of the summer ! A wonderful stroll through a great neighborhood and a variety of beautifully curated art! It's a must do!! read more

Always a highlight of late Spring in Chicago. All kinds of vendors. All kinds of BEER!! One big PARTY!!! read more

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I enjoy going to the Old Town Art Fair each summer. It always seems to be scorching hot. This year was no different. The art and food vendors are diverse. I always find some cool piece to buy while snacking on something tasty. The crowd is always fun and the neighborhood bars get in on the action. The photo booth was a fun touch! I'm looking forward to next year! read more

I love this Art Fair! You have to come back every year and enjoy those art pieces! Especially the garden walk! read more

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An outing to the annual Old Town Art fair can be more than tolerable if you follow a few simple rules: 1) If you are really interested in buying art, bring lots of $$$. I've seen some pretty good stuff (and some not-so-good) every year but generally the better stuff is not at all cheap. 2) Even if you are not a serious art buyer, you may still need plenty of cash if you plan to drive down to the art fair - local lots will jack their rates up to $30 for the day. 3) If you interested in spending fewer $$ on art (or art-like kitsch) , consider instead visiting the Wells St. art fest a few blocks to the south. 4) Ditto on rule 3) when it comes to fest food - the Wells St. fair has a more diverse & appealing selection of food vendor booths, many representing local restaurants such as Adobo Grill, O'Briens, and Bistro Margot - plus you can pull into any of the restaurants along Wells St. if you prefer a sit-down meal. At the Old Town fair, you may be intrigued by the deep-fried monstrosity called "Chicken on a Stick", but resist the urge to consume it, as it may stop your heart instantly. 5) Arrive early, leave early - as the day wears on, the double-wide stroller crowd starts mixing with a growing mass of stumbling, bumbling beer-swillers, making navigation treacherous. I imagine that most serious art enthusiasts will make plans to flee this scene by lunch time. read more

Out of all the festivals during Chicago summer time this is a TOP FAVORITE! Any one that has an appreciation for art will only expand their appreciation when you visit the Old Town Art Fair. Lots of galleries filled with talent from local artists you ought to find something that can connect to you. I feel this is the best place to find a gift for someone special especially if you grew up in Chicago. You will get a guide discussing and pointing out too which artists are there. A quieter fair, with lots of people that are slowly walking and making their stops in. A local church you can donate to but buying tickets for food and drinks and sitting in the lawn area as well as great local food vendors. It's not overwhelming and it's great to take parents and grandparents to. I hadn't bought anything at the time but in the next years I will definitely invest in a piece of art. read more

Woohoo. Great fest. I went last year (2007) and again this summer. I had two good times! I like that this is a legit art fair. The artists are generally very talented and their work shows a lot of skill and dedication. If you're a true enthusiast, you can't go wrong by attending this fair. If you're a true booze hound, again, you can't go wrong. And! A Bud Light was only $4. Not bad for a street fest. (Or, uh, go to the liquor store at Wells and North, but let's just keep that between you and me.) The crowd that shows up to this fest is chill, too, which makes for a light-hearted, let's-have-a-great-summer vibe. They have good music and entertainment, too. I like that the stage is set off a bit from the main drag. This way, the two crowds aren't competing for sidewalk/street space, and if you don't want to hear the music as you peruse, you won't be inundated with it. A word of advice: If you plan on going to this or any crowded street fest, and you have or will have a dog or a baby, please leave it/her/him at home. Your dog doesn't want to be there, I'm almost certain of it. And no one wants your stroller there, that I can guarantee! read more

After confusing the Old Town Art Fair with my sister, "Your at the kid's section? There is no kid's section here. Oh... I'm at the wrong fest." we wove our way through the crowds to the Old Town Art Fair. The atmosphere was definitely more chill(yay!), the temperature was cooler due to the trees(yay!) and the crowd was thinner (yay!). The necessary donation was asked for at the door and we stumbled across some Homemade Pizza and Maui smoothies made with real fruit. As we walked and browsed the art we had room to walk, could hear the birds tweet and did not smell spilled beer. It was refreshing to have adult conversations and let the little babies run around. An art fair where people are really there for the art. Next year I will make sure to get to the right fest the first time. read more

This was our second year at Old Town. Every visit is such a pleasure. Our greatest regret is we never bring enough money to buy art. We come away from Old Town every time with regrets about 3 or 4 pieces we really wanted to buy but could not afford. Next year we will go with a budget and we *will* spend that money. The crowds are thick but well managed. Porta potties are plentiful. The neighborhood is beautiful and there are some garden walks if you look carefully. We will try never to miss an Old Town Art Fair as long as we are in Chicago. read more

Just spent the most perfect Sunday afternoon at the Old Town Art Fair and I must say I had a jolly time. Aside from the gorgeous weather, the 3 hours spent there was an absolute delight. The artists, for the most part, were very open and willing to talk about their work in detail. Sure, I wasn't expecting such high price tags, but some of the stuff I saw were definitely exquisite. The garden walks were also a huge bonus to the art browsing. Got a little tipsy/drunk on the surprisingly strong sangria, but - what the heck - how many Sunday afternoons do I spend drunk and browsing worthy art? ;-) Would definitely visit next year again. Highly recommended for art enthusiasts and novices alike! read more

Best art fair in Chicago. No cute locals pawning medeocre stuff. All art is judged before let in. Every year we find a piece we want to purchase. Some people come because it is a festival but it really is a great art exhibit. read more

I believe I bring bad luck to each festival I attend, at least this festival season. Always a drizzle, always a bigger crowd than last year, and higher "suggested" donations. Maybe I should stay home on Saturdays until September. All gripes listed above plagued this year's Old Town Art Fair. I won't blame them for Mother Nature's nasty pranks. Pros: Lots of good food options such as Bao buns for $2, Mexican fair, grilled kebabs, funnel cakes. Plenty of beer stations and not overbearingly overpriced ($4 for a Bud Light) and fruity concoctions in pineapples that we bargained on the price. Tons of different varieties of art at all different prices. Cons: Much too long of a stretch of area for a festival. I say this because all the food, art, drinks, etc. just end up repeating themselves. It also seemed like it was all the same artists as last year. Same graphic designer with her bendy martini glasses, same mosaic tables, same Chicago prints. I don't mind returning vendors, but it would have been nice to see a new variety of artists as well. read more

Best art fair in Chicago. We go to pretty much all of them and this one has the highest quality across the board. Old Town Art Fair features far more fine artists than the Hyde Park or Fountain Square fair. No silly, cute, crafty stuff. We discovered about 10 new serious artists that we are now following. Got their cards and will likely purchase from them in future as budget allows. People are complaining about the high prices, but honestly the prices seem fair and right in line with the high level of quality on offer. And if, you can't quite afford it, at least you can enjoy some great art or get the artists cards and save up for something from them in future. A sweet bonus to the fair is the Old Town garden walk that runs right through the fair route, so you can ogle gorgeous gardens and homes while enjoying the art. It makes for a perfect day out in the city. read more

Old Town is the best art fair I've been to in Chicago (though I haven't hit all the south side festivals yet). This fair is a cut above in every way: -Some better food and beer options in addition to the funnel cake/Miller Lite standys. -Located in a leafy residential area, a welcome change. -Understated but quality music and kids options. -And most importantly, good artists. This is not the watercolors-of-a-Cubs-game, semiprecious necklaces, and tchotchkes of many art fairs. All of these artists are vetted, and the fair is heavily juried. The focus here is painting and sculpture, though you can certainly find other media on display. The higher quality here also tends to mean higher prices. Even if you're not buying, the $7 admission gets you into the best mobile museum on the north side. And you don't need to pay if you don't want to.... read more

I have been coming to this fair now for three years...and it is Awesome!! Some many different artists using different types of media. I do appreciate that some artists return yearly which helps you find something you like and you can see how their art might have evolved during that time. Everyone can find something that speaks to them here. You can find some unique pieces that not many people will own. The fair is well organized and there is food and drink available inside. Also, there were sufficient portable potties available. Overall a great fest, with some great vendors, but sometimes can get a little crowded. Definitely will be coming back next year! read more

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I'm not going to knock the fair because it's expensive to park....take the L, park-and-ride, yadda yadda. I must admit I am not an art expert, though I have been to quite a few fairs around the country, and this is one of the better ones. The neighborhood is beautiful, and there seems to be enough types of art to interest most. Food options seem varied, and even if you don't want to eat at the fair, there is plenty around. Art vendors come from all over the country to be here. I went on a Sunday and had a great time. And yes, it's $7 to get in, and it's worth it. read more

Always loved this fair, and it keeps getting better. It appears to be ever evolving with new and innovative artists and crafts people. This year there was an all black band doing '60s soul hits, and the woman singer doing Aretha Franklin songs had everyone completely spellbound she was so good. I heard the sound wafting in over to Wells street which drew me in closer and I couldn't believe my ears. Maybe it was Aretha. Day was hot as hell, like most of the time at this fair, but plenty of cold ones to have. Great food. Wish they had this fair three or four times during the summer and a Fall edition as well. read more

There was a lot of effective promotion on this art fair, so I thought, hey why not check it out. I'm an artist myself, and am always up for seeing something new. My wife and I managed to avoid the donation getting in, so no problem there. Once on the inside, however, I was really disappointed. There wasn't much to see in the way of fine art. I've grown really bored with seeing photography, and am not inspired by impressionism. The crowd was, for the most part, drunken fraternity types who could care less about art. I was happy about Wao Bao being there and a vendor making large potato pancakes. I'm just going to skip this fair in the future. read more

By far one of the best art festivals I have been to ever! The artists there are top notch with choices in all price ranges. These folks truly do put their heart and souls into their work and it shows! The food options are alright, although we always choose a local place so we can hang out inside for a while and cool off if necessary. Living in the city I have learned to use public transportation to attend any festival as parking is crazy expensive and almost impossible to find. I definitely plan to return again next year, and the next and the..... read more

If you're in Chicago for the Old Town Art Fair GO! It's a must visit if you can go. I went this year for the first time and was pleasantly surprised with the amount of affordable art and jewelry. I have been to other art festivals and usually am unable to walk away with anything because of the high price tags. I found some beautiful jewelry from a vendor called Lucius. Loved her rings, necklaces, and everything else. The owner was so nice that she let me come back the next day and exchange my ring for a different size after I decided it was too big. I went both days and enjoyed everything thoroughly. The one thing I regret is not getting any of the delicious food-next year for sure! read more

An hour in the car from the burbs, 30.00 to park, 14.00 to get in (yes, they force you to donate), beer stands and chicken on a stick. Oh, you went there for art? Oh, well there's that too but it's kind of hard to find. But when you do find something you like it'll be way overpriced. I mean 3k for an unknown artist! No thank you. I wish I had known about the Well's art fair, sounds like that would have been closer to fitting into my middle class budgetary means. read more

It became obvious when we entered on a Saturday afternoon that this was not the typical Chicago street fair. Where were the tatted-out tramps looking for Mr. Right Now (sloppy eighty-seconds anyone?)? Where were the frat boys carelessly spilling beer like the Exxon Valdez spilled oil? Welcome to Old Town. The kids at this festival knew who their biological fathers were and the women don't shop for clothes at stores that end in "Barn." The crowd was definitely more "seasoned" (I've seen less weathered faces on Mt. Rushmore) and less "urban" (Idaho almost broke out). The streets are lined with art vendors. And unlike hiring at the DMV, the artists are seriously considered and carefully chosen. One woman said she applied for 12 straight years before she got in. I saw some original stuff, like the guy who had made a contraption out of metal wires and marbles. There was one guy who had woven some beautiful baskets (or possibly really ugly hats). And there's the traditional portrait art, available as prints or, like Roger Rabbit or OJ, framed. No one pressured me to make the big purchase, although I'm guessing none of the artists' high dollar clients wear T-shirts that say "Legalize It." They ask for a $7 donation at the door, but just walk right in. You will need that money if you want to buy drinks. $6 Buds, $7 312's, $8 sangrias -- it hasn't been this hard to get drunk since Prohibition. Naturally to buy any of the art you will need thousands of dollars. But this is the best art around and would easily be the most expensive thing on your wall serving purely a decorative purpose -- followed closely by your liberal arts degree. read more

very cool art selection. food selection could be bumped up a bit. great neighborhood. all in all glad we can check it off the list. headed to Bricks after for drinks & food. read more

I attended again this year and thought it still had the same issues as last year. One thing though is that the crowd was ridiculously huge. I didn't like the setup being artist booths on each side of the street. It made the walkways narrow and I felt rushed looking at each booth. They should seriously lower their suggested donation cause for $7 its a rip off. I didn't donate this year because I found little value in this fair. read more

Best Art Fair in the city. Award winning artists from around the world come here. This is not a craft fair but a fair for serious artists. Many artists will haggle and some do custom work. Bonus: music and the beautiful, historical neighborhood as a backdrop. read more

Great local neighborhood art fair. High quality artwork, with none of the bad stuff that most street fairs try to pass off as art. The garden walk is a nice option too. It's also a good, mature crowd. Most of the people just looking to "catch a buzz" end up at one of the other festivals nearby. read more

Went to the Old Town Art Fair for the first time in 4 or 5 years. It was better this year than the last time we were there--much better artists. It had become pretty junky years ago. One thing that is really annoying is the gouging for a beer or a glass of wine. I looked at some previous reviews and one mentioned that a Bud lite was only $4--the date was 2008 and I think it was a 16 ounce cup. A Bud lite is now $8 for 12 ounces! A total rip off even if is a charitable event. A 5/6 ounce glass of Ruffino pinot grigio which sells for $7 or $8 a bottle retail was $8. I did notice that, unlike past years, there was NO line to get a beer--just walk right up and get served. I think there is a message here but I doubt the management is getting it. read more

An all-around fantastic experience. I was at the Old Town Art Fair on June 14, 2015 and had a wonderful time with my family. The art was eclectic and provocative. Now, 2 weeks later, I am still thinking about it. In addition, the music was really good and the free Cupcake wine tasting was both awesome and informative. Just when we thought that it couldn't get any better, we discovered the garden tours--what a bonus to see how creatively these cute and majestic homes kept their back yards. This was a steal for the price and hours of entertainment for me and my family. read more