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    Winter Wonderfest

    2.5 (108 reviews)

    Winter Wonderfest Photos

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    Nice stories of how different cultures celebrate the season, here's Finland!
    Kyle H.

    I love that this exists. It takes something kind of cool for me to go to Navy Pier, and Winter Wonderfest with it's rides, ice skating, Christmas tree and decorations did just that. Tips: - Buy your tix online for a discount - Buy your tix with a Bank of America credit card at the door for buy one, get one 1/2 price (check back in future years to see if this is still applicable) - Don't be cheap, do the coat check! - Best for kids under 2-7 years old - If you're not ice skating or doing rides, you don't have to pay My son is too old for a lot of the bouncy slides, and stuff, but we still loved the festive atmosphere of the tree, the Father Christmases from around the World, the Sky Glider ride that whips you around and up, the Ferris Wheel, and especially the indoor ice skating. It's all indoors inside Navy Pier. What we did not like were the really long lines for very short, lame rides like the Zip Line. Lines we can deal with, if the payoff is worth it! Winter Wonderfest was great because we could skate as much as we wanted, indoors during a very cold and blustery day! A great time!

    Big tree
    Jim J.

    The Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier is a huge indoor play land for kids of all ages. It runs throughout the whole holiday season and past New Years Day. After reading some prior reviews it seems the keep jacking the price, which in turn leads to shorter lines. The admission was high: $28 for adults and $18 or so for kids. Admission is charged via height and they check it on every single attraction. They constantly enforced the height requirements and ensured kids did not bounce if they were too short. You also get a wristband that you need to show at the entry - a lot of younger kids snuck in without paying and were not allowed on the rides. I had no idea where there parents were! The selection of bouncy castles, rides and attractions is pretty good. They also have bumper cars, an indoor sled hill and an ice rink. There were short lines for all of the attractions when we visited, but based on the set up I figure it gets much more crowded on peak days. The staff was helpful in getting us around and making sure everyone was safe. This is a good way to kill and afternoon when it is cold out, but it ended up costing around $100 for a family of four with the $28 on site parking. The kids were ready to leave after about 2-3 hours.

    Went for the first time on a Saturday morning around 11:30am. The festival is at the east end of the pier. Upon arrival, we paid for our tickets which were super pricey but well worth it for the children since they utilize the premises more than an adult. They also have a separate line for coat check. There are a few food options to choose from, they had brats and pierogis in one tent, further down they have a concession stand with few items to choose from which has a few large round tables but not enough to where people are sitting and eating on the floor because others are inconsiderate and use the tables as a holding place for their items. Lockers are placed near the ice skating rink. There is also a tamale/taco stand. They have Dippin' Dots and a stand with Elephant ears, funnel cakes, etc. The prices are sky high in my opinion, more than an actual fair which brings me to say, this is basically a carnival inside. Lines for rides move fairly quickly but not any faster than a normal carnival. Overall, I'd recommend this place for a first timer, but I wouldn't make it a tradition with the outrageous ticket prices and the lack of food choices. Very magical for young kids.

    Jose V.

    It's unfortunate that they charge such high prices for entry and the food inside. But to also have to charge for kids who are over 36 inches but have 3/4 of the kid's rides for kids 42 inches and up to ride? Only 1 small section was available for kids 36 inches and under which was 2 bouncy houses and a foam ball pit. Definitely not worth the money to go if you have small children. Then the fact that it's winter wonderfest and no sign of a Santa for kids to take pics with besides the $26-$48/3 picture package deal they offer. What a joke. Never again.

    Dianne S.

    Bought tickets to Winter Wonderfest on Groupon for a weekday, hoping to beat the crowds for some wintery fun with my 3 year old nephew. There are actually a good number of rides/attractions for the shorties in Navy Pier's Festival Hall turned winter wonderland. Carousel, train ride, ferris wheel, multiple jumpy inflatables, inflatable slides, power wheel cars, ice rink. Definitely made for the younger crowd. The attention and energy of a 3 year old comes from a very limited bank, so all the time waiting in lines was very frustrating at the end of the day when I was only able to take my nephew on a handful of rides. We didn't even ice skate because of the long line for skate rental and the ice rink itself....and this was on a Monday! They do have scattered "picnic" areas and allow you to bring in outside food for your kiddos if you don't feel like spending an arm and a leg on crappy food.

    Centriugal ride, really cool
    Padma A.

    Thoroughly enjoyed our last minute NYE entertainment for the kids before our late night party. Not too crowded because we got there at 4 and so much fun, they enjoyed the centrifugal ride very much. Food @ the food court is very expensive but its the convenience that people give in and purchase anyways. Uptown Shakedown was belting out classic numbers and we enjoyed some adult beverages while the kids were ice-skating. Perfect end to the last day of the year with this family outing.

    Ice rink
    Chrissy A.

    I will give this a 3 because we had kids that were almost 14. We went on a Wednesday night. We got there at 6:30 and they closed at 8 so did not have much time. But we had never ice skated before so it was nice because it was not busy and it was fun. Thank goodness they finally told people to put their phones away because people were just out there making videos and doing ridiculous things w their phones and they were not even allowed. After this my kids did the hang glider thing. We did not run into lines but I Thai k that is bc it was a Wednesday. If you have older kids there is not much for them to do. There were some cute photo things like a giant rocking horse and giant chair but the price is $21-$30 ummmm no thanks. It is adorable in here. Not cheaply done. I would say unless you can get the Groupon price you will get swallowed up w extras. Also I would not pay the $5.00 per item for coat check get a locker indies they at $7 and up depending on size. Santa was not there when we were there.

    Rink
    Amy T.

    Indoor carnival... plenty of children and adults. I found some adults who were quite age-inappropriate (cursing on rides and obviously loud enough for everyone to hear on the ride). They have expensive food at the stands (expected). The awesome part is they allow people to bring outside food/ drinks. They really need more seats though. If you move, you lose. Same goes for the rides. It was pretty awesome to try some rides. Just the limited space is quite scary for some rides (cliff gliding). I had a fun time. If you just want to walk around for a few pictures, it's definitely worth it. (please steer the children away from the stereotypical "Christmas" around the world... I'm Chinese and I never heard of "dun che lao ren" it just literally translate to "ton car old man." Perhaps known as his sleigh being a ton? Funny how Christmas is known as "Sheng Dan Jie" so why can't Santa be known as "Sheng Dan Lao Ren" -_-.. Sorry for the rant)

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    This place is so worth it if you can manage to sneak in through the exit door. Otherwise, don't bother spending $29 on a weekend night.

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    Ask the Community - Winter Wonderfest

    Review Highlights - Winter Wonderfest

    My fiancé, sister, and niece came with me and we had a ball.

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    Fiesta del Sol

    Fiesta del Sol

    4.3
    (12 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    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.

    Photos
    I got one of the smaller sized decorative pom poms.
    I got one of the smaller sized decorative pom poms.
    The line for one of several Michelada tents.
    The line for one of several Michelada tents.
    Fiesta del Sol

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    Tacos Y Tamales Festival

    Tacos Y Tamales Festival

    3.2
    (13 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Tacos Y Tamales Festival
    Tacos Y Tamales Festival
    Tacos Y Tamales Festival

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    Porky's Rib Fest

    Porky's Rib Fest

    4.0
    (2 reviews)
    13.5 mi

    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!

    Photos
    Porky's Rib Fest
    Porky's Rib Fest
    Half slab ribs, Beef brisket, Pulled pork and Cornbread

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    Half slab ribs, Beef brisket, Pulled pork and Cornbread
    Pilsen Fest

    Pilsen Fest

    3.3
    (3 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Pilsen Fest
    Squash Blossoms 2017
    Squash Blossoms 2017
    August 2017

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    August 2017
    Buffalo Grove Days

    Buffalo Grove Days

    3.8
    (5 reviews)
    25.9 mi

    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!

    Photos
    Obligatory ferries wheel shot
    Obligatory ferries wheel shot
    Buffalo Grove Days
    Food tent

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    Food tent

    Winter Wonderfest - festivals - Updated June 2026

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