With the landscape changing daily, due to the coronavirus, it is hard to predict the future for Summer 2020.
But we can hope for the best.
With many events and festivals already cancelled, one thing we can say for sure, it is not the typical carefree, festival-filled summers of the past that we took for granted.
As of today, we are in Phase II (Flattening) of Governor Pritzker’s five-part plan to “Restore Illinois” and reopen the state.
At this point we are directed to wear a face covering when outside the house. We can return to some limited outdoor activities including golf, boating and fishing with restrictions and practicing social distancing. The lakefront and riverwalk are still off-limits.
Next, Phase 3 (Recovery)will allow for reopening of manufacturing, offices, retail and salons with gatherings limited to 10 or fewer–still not good for festivals.
We have to get to Phase 4 (Revitalization), which will allow gatherings of 50 people or fewer, to even have a shot at some small summer gatherings.
Phase 4 will also allow, restaurants and bars to reopen, along with reducing travel restrictions and reopening child care and schools with face coverings and social distancing required.
What we really need to aim for to save any of our summer festival season is Phase 5 (Restored). At this point the economy fully reopens including conventions, festivals and large events.
In order for this to happen a vaccine or highly effective treatment must become widely available or the elimination of any new cases over a sustained period (sustained period, not defined–a week? a month?).
Since the governor’s plan offers no time table for phases to take place we need to take things day by day.
Even though the outlook does not look promising at this point, there is hope. Nothing has been cancelled for August or September with some festivals originally scheduled for May, June and July including the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest,Andersonville Midsommarfest, James Beard Awards gala and Milwaukee Summerfest have been rescheduled to late summer. Others such as the LaGrange Pet Parade are virtual.
Show Me Chicago will continue to track the cancellations, postponements and rescheduling of summer events updating our original SUMMER FESTIVAL CALENDAR. we published if February to reflect the Covid-19 impact.
Here’s the latest 0we will continue to update).
ON-GOING SUMMER
Grant Park Music Fest 2020, June 10 through August 15, Most concerts take place on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (Note: there will be no concert on Friday, July 3.), Millennium Park. SEASON CANCELLED
Navy Pier Summer Fireworks, Memorial Day through Labor Day, Wednesdays and Saturdays from Saturday, May 30 through Saturday, September ?: Wednesdays at 9:30 pm. & Saturdays at 10:15 pm. EARLY SHOWS CANCELLED THROUGH JUNE 10
Year of Chicago Music, summer lakefront and neighborhood events/festivals. MOVED TO ONLINE WITH SOME EVENTS RESCHEDULED FOR 2021
Ravinia Summer Festival, May 30 -September 15, 2020. Green Bay Rd. just north of Lake Cook Road, Highland Park 2020 SEASON CANCELLED
Lincoln Park Wine Fest(6th annual) Friday-Sunday, May 15-17, Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood CANCELLED
Manifest Urban Arts Festival, May 15 Wabash Arts Corridor between Michigan and Clark and Congress and Roosevelt VIRTUAL EVENTS
Bark in the Park, May 16, Soldier Field CANCELLED
Wright Plus House Walk, Saturday, May 16, Oak Park and River Forest CANCELLED
Chicago House Music Conference & Festival, May 21-23, Chicago Cultural Center & Millennium Park CANCELLED
Mole De Mayo, May 22-24, Ashland and 18th Street, Pilsen VIRTUAL Navy Pier Fireworks, blast off May 23 (Wednesdays and Saturdays and July 4 through September 5)THE FOLLOWING SHOWS CANCELLED:May 23, 27 and 30 ANDJune 3, 6 and 10
Chicago Memorial Day Parade, May 23, wreath laying 11am, Parade noon, State St. from Wacker to Van Buren CANCELLED
Randolph Street Market Festival, May 23 – 24, 2020, first outdoor festival of the season, 1350 block W. Randolph and 1340 W. Washington Street between Ada and Ogden CANCELLED UNTIL JULY 25,26
Printers Row Lit FestJune 6 & 7, South Loop along Dearborn POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 5TH AND 6TH, 2020
Wingout Chicago, June 6 and 7, 2 to 6 pm. St. Michael’s parking lot in Old Town POSTPONED DATE, TBD Hyde Park Summer Fest. June 6 – 7 , downtown Hyde Park, 53rd and Harper Court moved to August 22-23
West Loop Fizz Fest, Saturday-Sunday, June 6-7, 1000 W. Washington Blvd. (at Morgan), Chicago
Run for the Zoo 10K, 5K, and kids’ stampede, June 7, Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park VIRTUAL EVENT FOR 2020
Wells Street Art FestivalJune 13-14, Old Town, on Wells between North and DivisionPOSTPONED Tentative Dates: Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30, 2020
Winnetka Music Festival (4th annual),Friday-Saturday, June 19-20, Elm Street and Lincoln Ave., Winnetka CANCELLED
Festa!Pasta!Vino! Italian Street Festival, June 19 – 21, 2020, 24th & South Oakley POSTPONED
Country LakeShake 2020, Fri, Jun 19 – Sun, Jun 21, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S Linn White Dr. CANCELLED
Craft Beer Festival, Saturday, June 20, Morton Arboretum, Lisle
Taste of Randolph Street, June 19-21, offers three stages of music, 14 restaurant booths, and artisan vendors at Randolph Street & Peoria Street. Donation CANCELLED
Puerto Rican Parade, June 20, Division Street from Western Avenue to Sacramento Avenue, Humboldt Park DECISION PENDING
Chicago Vegandale, Vegan Food Festival, June 20, Butler Field in Grant Park. Free admission for children age 12 and younger
Chicago Food Truck Festival, June 20 & 21, South Loop Green Space
Ravenswood on Tap, June 20, 21, beer & spirits from local producers, food from nearby restaurants, live local music, and more Ravenswood Avenue and Berteau Avenue. Donation.
Chicago Pride Fest®, June 20-21, Halsted and Addison in Boystown POSTPONED Fountain Square Artisan SummerfestJune 20 & 21 2020, Evanston, IL- Sherman and Church Street
Make Music Day, June 21, various locations including Millennium Park and Navy Pier. Free.
Dragon Boat Races, June 21, teams compete in colorful boats on the river, music, dance, vendors, Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 W 19th Street. Free. RESCHEDULED:August 22, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Ping Tom Memorial Park.
Logan Square Arts Festival, June 26, 27 & 28, Milwaukee, Logan & Kedzie CANCELLED Pride In The ParkJune 27 & 28 2020, Grant Park POSTPONED
Highland Park Festival of Fine Arts, June 27 & 28, Downtown Highland Park Art Center
Renegade Craft Fair, June 27, 28 food trucks and craft cocktails for sale, Andersonville, Clark Street (from Edgewater Ave. to Bryn Mawr Ave.). Free
Chicago Pride Parade steps off at noon on Sunday, June 28, 2020, at Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown and ends near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park POSTPONED
Chalk Howard Street, Saturday, July 18, 2020 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., just east of the Howard Red Line ‘L’ stop CANCELLED
Chinatown Summer Fair, Saturday/Sunday, July 18-19, Wentworth Avenue & Cermak Rd. (aka 22nd Street), Chicago
Chicago Food Truck Festival at Wrigley Field, July 25, 2020
Chicago Margarita Festival, July 25 – July 26, Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave
Taste of Lincoln Avenue (37th annual), Saturday/Sunday, July 25-26, North Lincoln Avenue between Fullerton & Wrightwood, Chicago
Randolph Street Market Festival, July 25, 26 2020, outdoor festival vintage, antiques, entertainment, food, drinks 1350 block W. Randolph and 1340 W. Washington Street between Ada and Ogden
Lollapalooza Music Festival 2020, Thu, Jul 30 – Sun, Aug 2, Grant Park, 337 E Randolph St OK
Jeff Fest, Friday-Sunday, July 31-August 2, Jefferson Memorial Park,4822 N. Long (Lawrence and Milwaukee Avenues), Chicago
Wicker Park Fest, July dates TBA, on On Milwaukee Ave., from North Ave. to Ashland Ave.
Lollapalooza. Photo: Chicago Tribune
AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
We will add August and September as more information is available.
PLEASE NOTE: Mayor Lightfoot will provide an update at 1:30pm. today from City Hall outlining the city’s plans for reopening that may continue information on city run festivals.
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