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Bookmark & shareBlues and jazz musicians have been flocking to Chicago since 1915, so it's no surprise that the city knows how to celebrate its musical heritage with style. The Chicago Blues Festival is a highly regarded three-day festival held in Grant Park on the first weekend in June. Soon after, Grant Park hosts the weekend-long Chicago Gospel Festival and, on Labor Day weekend, the Chicago Jazz Festival.
Taste of Chicago is an enormous festival that closes Grant Park for 10 days leading up to Independence Day in July. Over 100 local eateries serve some of the greasiest food you've ever tried to rub off your fingers. Live music on several stages drowns out the rumble of the belches from the 3.5 million people who attend. The German-American Festival is an enjoyable Oktoberfest-type event held in the heart of an old German neighbourhood at Lincoln Square during the third weekend in September.
In May, artsy types get along to Art Chicago. This massive mid-month festival on Navy Pier is a Very Big Deal in Chicago's art world. Over 3000 artists are featured, and city-wide events are held at museums and galleries. Also features the Stray Show, a separate event for up-and-coming artists.
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