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    Wicker Park Fest

    3.5 (48 reviews)
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    Joe C.

    Wicker Park fest is huge. The music is great. It's a hipstery area. If you're from NYC like I am, it hits similar to Williamsburg or LES. Lots of awesome thrift stores and art in the area. It usually has a great line up of music with multiple stages. Plenty of open art galleries as well. Every festival uniquely displays characteristic of the neighborhood and you get to experience a lot of the local vendors. I always find my self browsing pics afterwards too bookmark my favorites. Supporting local is great at festivals, but returning to give the business in the off season is great too. Definitely always makes a point to hit this festival. It's so big but dense with so much to do.

    Jessica S.

    Wicker Park Fest is a lot of fun! It is one long street that is closed off, and everything is well-spaced out. In the middle of the street, there are many booths of crafts, clothes, and food vendors. My favorite tent was the Transit one because there were plenty of Chicago logo clothes and accessories. I bought a cool tank for $20 (no tax) and it's gray with a huge Chicago flag across the chest. I come here early because this fest gets SO busy and I am not about that life anymore. I like being able to go in and out of the bars and sit down to listen to the music. Like any fest around Chicago, they have local bands playing. The bars are also more expensive per drink. For two small cups of beer and a White Claw, Wynwood charged $21. Of course nothing had prices, either. Honestly though, the beer is better in the actual bars than in the tents, so definitely go into a bar to get your beer rather than the crappy overpriced tents. Going back to the crowds, at night, there is literally a sea of people and you can't see the street... that's how packed it gets and I'm not exaggerating. So enter at your own risk. On Sunday, the fest opened at 12pm and we got there at 11:45. We didn't have to pay, but when we left around 3, they were charging entrance "donations" of I think it was $10 a person. You technically wouldn't need to pay that, but we all know that awkward look you'd get if you didn't.

    Lefai K.

    Wicker Park Fest is a well-spaced out festival with multiple sound stages spread across 3 to 4 city blocks. There's some decent parking spots located near the area, but worst case scenario, you can park on the side streets, if you look hard enough. If finding parking ain't yo' thang, Wicker Park Fest is located super-close to the Blue Line. Wicker Park Fest layout was decent; plenty of booths/tents in the middle of the street, with enough space for foot traffic. Wicker Park in itself has a lot to offer and the tents/booths showcased this as well. Definitely come here early, if you're not into crowds. Things were bearable for me when I got here at around 4PM, but as the evening dragged on, the number of obnoxious drunkards naturally came out, to ruin it for everyone else. BATHROOM REVIEW: Plenty of port-a-potties. That's all I got to say about bathrooms here. They had enough of em and hand washing stations for people, and there was barely a line when I went. Interesting note, while I was visiting Insomnia Cookies, a couple of drunk obnoxious early 20-yrs old, carrying Moncaco beverages. They got in an argument with one of the Insomnia Cookies staff about using the bathroom (they didn't purchase anything, and barged in asking to use the bathroom) and the staff said GTFO, there's plenty of port-a-potties. Boom. Served.

    Soooo many people!
    Sarah S.

    If you've been to one city summer fest, you've been to them all, right? Well that's true with a dash of falsity thrown in. Wicker Park has a lot of the same food vendors that pop up at all the fests, a lot of the same vendors, sadly not too many that are unique to WP. Truly a shame when Wicker is full of amazingness. Pro-Tip: Do not waste your hard earned money on the cheap, crappy beer at the stands. ALL of the bars & restaurants that are on the main drag have specials going on for the fest. I was able to get good quality craft beers for the same price or less than the MGD/Bud Light shizznit at the stands. Holy goodness it's crowded! It gets even more crowded as the sun sets. Thankfully my friend and I had grabbed a perfect seat inside the High Noon Saloon to watch the 9pm concert, but we really felt for the sea of people right outside the barrier of the wall. There seriously was no room for these poor people to walk or even itch a nose. My advice if you're going is to plan accordingly. Grab an indoor seat as dusk sets in and enjoy yourself instead of being suffocated to death by human flesh. That being said, the music at Wicker Park Fest was awesome! Festivals are filled with cover bands and don't get me wrong, I love 'em, but we discovered a fabulous indie band at night. My favorite part of the evening was chilling out listening to Man Man (quite possibly my new favorite group) inside of the High Noon Saloon. We met some friendly people inside, had amazing craft beers, were able to hear the music through their huge open windows/wall plus my friend and I got hit up by guys 7 years younger than us so that's got to count for something right?

    www.wickerparkfestchicago.com
    Dana G.

    Proof yet again that Dubstep ruins EVERYTHING! Wicker Park fest what happened?? The difference between last year and this year can only be contributed to the Dubstep music on the bill. Whether you love it or hate it (I'm somewhere in the middle), you can't deny the fact the immense popularity brings out drones of idiots. I'm not going to make this a Dubstep bashing review. IMO it's just as popular to bash it as it is to love it. What bothers me are the kids who listen to it. Young. Stupid. Rude. Degenerates. They flooded Wicker Park fest on Saturday and ruined the experience for me and maybe the festival. I sound like an old hag. I promise I'm not. I love festivals and music and people. Just not dubsteppers; they are a new breed of as*hole. Last year was awesome! We had room to breathe, walk, drink and eat listen to good music. This year was so crowded you couldn't walk a foot without some sweaty shirtless guy or 15yo in a Deadmau5 shirt bumping into you yelling WOMP! Beer and Sangria were my only savior. Maybe I could tune these idiots out if I was drunk enough. Oh the ATM's are down? You only take cash? F*ck this I'm out! I would rather deal with a festival full of Hipsters than Wompsters. Bring the old Wicker Park fest back!

    La Tonya G.

    I was working as a volunteer at this event and from the inside looking out it looked like so much fun. I hate I didn't truly get to experience this event with friends enjoying the music and food that was all around me. I watched as the crowd grew and grew...I would say come early so you can get an idea on what you want to do while you are there. I like Festivals and I had never heard of this one before...I would volunteer again but I would also make sure I had a day to enjoy with my friends. That is one thing about Chicago there is always something to do and if this Festival doesn't do it for you...you can find something else in Chicago that can be well worth it for you. Enjoy!!!

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    Review Highlights - Wicker Park Fest

    The Music line up was insane, I stayed by Porn & Chicken , Flosstradamus!

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    Fiesta del Sol - A super large tamale! This was at least 3-4 servings for $12.00.

    Fiesta del Sol

    (12 reviews)

    Pilsen

    The last time we visited Chicago a few years ago, we attended and really liked the Tacos y Tamales…read morefestival. This year we found we'd missed that event, but Fiesta del Sol, supposedly the largest Latin festival of its kind in the USA, would be happening during our trip instead, and both of those events take place in the exact same area of the Pilsen neighborhood. We took an Uber here on Saturday afternoon to check it out, eat some authentic Mexican food and enjoy the music and folkloric performances. This festival features streets lined with vendors selling food and merchandise, they had 2 performance stages with live bands, a grassy area with a DJ spinning, and a 2 block-long section that was set up like a carnival midway with games of chance, thrill rides and amusements. Visiting Fiesta del Sol was a good way to spend a few hours, enjoy some good food and entertainment and best of all, admission was completely free. Do know that the food at some booths is better quality than others and if I were to attend this festival again, I'd walk around and look at everything before deciding where and what to eat. Some vendors, for instance, were cooking their meat and preparing items fresh, including one stand that was grilling steak and turkey legs over an open wood fire, while others had pre-cooked everything and were taking items out of a cooler and reheating them as customers ordered - and to us, the pre-cooked options lacked flavor. Another thing to note is that Fiesta del Sol was a "dry" event with no alcohol sales. Even booths selling things like pina coladas and micheladas were selling non-alcohol versions. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but those planning to have a cold beer while enjoying the music on a hot summer day or to come and party it up with a few drinks, won't be able to do that here.

    I rarely get opportunities to go to festivals in the summertime due to my busy schedule but this…read moreyear I've managed to go to two; Fiesta del Sol being one of them. It's a big event that has gone on for over 50 years. The vendor list is extensive with blocks upon blocks of rides, sponsors, food tents and games. There were a few craft vendors although I would've liked to have seen more craft tents like textiles and ceramics. I was able to catch a few dance performances while eating what I purchased at the tents on the lawn. Pricing for food items varies. Some tents had good deals on stuff, others not so much. For instance, I got a large tamale for $12 that was at least 3-4 servings which I felt was good value. Other tents simply price gouged. I paid $10 for a melon agua fresca that although was on the large side didn't really feel like it was worth the $10. Also, a single quesabirria which appeared to be 4 inches in length cost me $5 each. Tasty but pricey. I also learned that this is a non-alcohol event so if you were expecting booze here, you may get disappointed. My friend was hoping to buy a michelada but was bummed because the entire event was dry. I'm guessing it's because A: this is a family type of event and/or B: They didn't get a liquor license for this festival. Overall, I liked the vibe and the energy. It was packed so expect to bump elbows with folks. I went on a Sunday and I knew parking was going to be difficult but we managed to find street parking about 4 blocks away. Pro tips: *If you want to save on parking (because parking is free in the city on Sunday), go Sunday versus the rest of the week. * Also, pack wet wipes. It helps clean your hands free of food residue afterwards. *Performances are in the park so bring a blanket or a carry on collapsible folding chair. *It's summer so stay cool and stay hydrated. *Don't forget to bring your sun shades.

    Tacos Y Tamales Festival

    Tacos Y Tamales Festival

    (13 reviews)

    Pilsen

    2025 Review! Same Fest, New Location! Tacos & Tamales Fest…read moreis now on Blue Island Ave between Wolcott & Ashland. Their new location is so much better to space out the crowd, offer better street parking/access to public transportation, and allows for more vendors! They had the similar mix of local businesses, corporate freebies, artist tents, and (3) music stages; but, I'm already looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow next year.

    I usually skip food festivals because I hate crowds, but this is one I'd been looking forward to…read morefor weeks. I don't eat good tamales very often and it was very convenient to have one location with all of the local venders so that I could try multiple restaurants at once. -Narrowing down which restaurant was my favorite to avoid future disappointments. Hands down, Yvolina's was my favorite. The chicharron tamale with green mole sauce was still in my mind when I woke up this morning. But sadly, I had to eat a grapefruit instead. ::sad face:: They run about $10 each, but are very large. I did also enjoy Yvolina's Chicken Tinga tamale, but the chicharron is the one I'd go back for. Didn't love the churros from Xurro, but I'm a pastry chef and make churros quite often. Maybe I just prefer my own. I ordered the churro s'more and wouldn't order again. It was all way too dry. Not enough chocolate either. There were many kinds of venders. If tamales aren't your thing, you aren't out of luck. With tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas etc.. sold up and down the streets, there's something for everybody. My only regret was not ordering the street corn that everyone seemed to me walking around eating. As much of a pain it was to be raining, it was the perfect time to go. The crowds were very minimal. It was still a lively bunch though. Many people dancing in the streets as the music blasted in the air. I very much enjoyed my evening and will definitely return next year. Parking is a bit of a beast. Prepare to have to park a bit far and walk.

    Porky's Rib Fest

    Porky's Rib Fest

    (2 reviews)

    Chicago is a summer of festivals and I love exploring each and every one. We saw a Groupon for…read morePorky's rib fest and decided to give it a shot! At $15 for two adult entrance tickets and free parking, it was pretty reasonable for festival pricing. As you do at a rib fest, we ordered a bunch of ribs from the following places: - Rasta Joe's: The best out of the bunch. The ribs were cooked perfectly and the sauce was great, with a hint of Caribbean flair. The portion size was also quite generous as we received 6(!) ribs for the 1:3 size that cost $10. This is what I expected a half slab to be. We were extremely happy with this! - Chicago BBQ: Decent. The ribs are quite fatty and fall or the bone. I would equate this to like Barnellis ribs. They're tender and BBQ-ey but nothing extraordinary. I would eat them again though. At $8 for 3 ribs, I'd go for Rasta's. - Texas Lightning: Ew. Ew. Ew. Complete regret for this one. So glad we got a sampler because I think I would have shed a tear if we bought a full slab. High expectations for the Texans but they failed to deliver. The ribs were extremely dry, flaky, and flavorless. It was like someone microwaved a slab of ribs and drizzled some sauce over it. The Jamaican Pork at Rasta's was pretty good too! Good spices. We would definitely give Rasta's an A++ for their ribs. The carnival itself looked fun but also very expensive. Overall, it was a decent event with live music and booze.

    Another long overdue review: It was my 2nd year in a row going here and I came back determined to…read moretry the ribs I remember liking so much last time! Me, my cousin, niece and nephew went here on a Thursday around 7pm. Chicago BBQ company: we tried their Beef brisket, Pulled pork, Cornbread and Half slab ribs(unfortunately it wasn't fall-off-the-bone like at Ribfest Chicago, beef brisket seems like pulled pork) Uncle Bob's: we tried 1/2 slab ribs, Pulled pork, Beef brisket, and Cornbread( didn't measure up to Chicago BBQ company) Howling coyote: we tried 1/2 slab rib dinner(they claimed their ribs are more tender than a mother's love! It was tender but Chicago BBQ had more flavor) Rasta joes: tried their 1/2 slab ribs and Jalapeno cheese cornbread (had flavor like Chicago BBQ but not as tender as howling coyote) Porky chicks BBQ: we tried the Big porky- had most meat and very tender and they gave generous portions, sauces were good too!

    Pilsen Fest - Fest foods. August 2017

    Pilsen Fest

    (3 reviews)

    Pilsen

    This fest has really went down. it used to be sooooo much fun! It was moved to 16th street (from…read more18th street), and turned from an expression of culture and the Pilsen neighborhood to just another fest selling things. It was much smaller than previous years with less food choices and fewer authentic vendors and had bad music, at least during the daytime when I went. I usually stay to hear the musical lineups but this was so boring I stayed long enough for the kids to get tacos and look at the 3 shops that were there. They even had some band singing sweet dreams singing the wrong words! I hope the fest will go back the way it was then I'd return. If not I'd say skip it.

    There are a ton of festivals that happen during the summer in the Chicagoland area and Pilsen Fest…read moreis one of them! I enjoyed listening to various types of performances from rock, DJing, to an amazing musical family band called Cielito Lindo. The band's age ranged from about 7 years old to the father's age, and they were amazing at harmonizing together. There is a lot of cultural aspects to this festival including Chinelos, a dance from one of the Mexican regions. It was so much fun to participate in! There are various businesses from Pilsen area that participate to sell food including Taqueria y Restaurant El Buen Valle, which had delicious tacos, and had tons of drink options like agua fresca and alcohol. It's only a few blocks long, so it's very contained and easy to get around. Would definitely come back next year.

    Buffalo Grove Days - New stage

    Buffalo Grove Days

    (5 reviews)

    Another typical suburban festival -- carnival rides, mixed with music stages, and food tents, and…read moresometimes, business vendors. To be honest, I enjoy em, and this one, called Buffalo Grove Days, or what the cool kids call it -- "BG Days" is A-OK with me. I do like how this is well laid-out. There are shuttle buses to take/drop you to where you need to be. I didn't bother looking for parking and ended up parking at wherever the Buffalo Grove Days parking signs pointed to, which ended up being at the Buffalo Grove Metra station, which was free. I do have to say that the offering of carnival rides BG Days have, compared to the other copious amounts of suburban festivals, was less. It was actually hard to use up our 22-tickets (this year it was 22-tickets for $25) and I'm glad I didn't go with the unlimited rides for $25 each. The carnival games included pop-a-shot, lucky ducks, and other typical games. Food-wise, the food tent was actually pretty big. Lots to choose from, from pizza, to Mexican, to Dairy Queen. Food prices were A-OK and definitely not like the $40 for a piece of lettuce prices you'd find at the Taste of Chicago. BATHROOM REVIEW: The couple of port-a-potties we visited were actually pretty clean! Many to choose from and there was no line on the evening we went. Sit or squat? It's still a port-a-potty after all. Squat.

    Free to enter. There are various shuttles (bona-fide school busses!) to bus you from parking lots…read moreto the fairgrounds and back. Tip: Make sure to note whether your bus says COOK CO or LAKE CO on the side window so you can get back on the right bus route. Bring chairs or blankets for the parade (starts at 1). The north side of Lake Cook has craft fairs and food, while the south has rides and games (and a few food options - mostly cotton candy, elephant ears, corndogs). Ride tickets amount to about $1.25, and kiddie rides are typically 2-3 tickets. There are two sections of rides: the kiddie ones and adult. Food vendors included a lot of pizza (Nancy's, Wapaghettis...), Jersey Mike's, JD's BBQ, Culvers..also mac and cheese, chicken tenders, burritos, pretzels, etc from various other vendors. There's a covered picnic area to chill and take a break from the sun and heat, as well as a misting tent. Prices weren't TERRIBLE. My steak burrito was $7 and my custard sundae was $3. Pop cans are $1.50 and water is about $2.50. You can bring your own beverages, water, coolers, whatever (non-alc), too. There's an abundance of portra johns, and we even saw some being cleaned! Clean sh!tters?! Score!

    Wicker Park Fest - festivals - Updated May 2026

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