The 47th annual Fiesta del Sol returns to Pilsen next weekend for the largest Latino festival in the Midwest. From July 25 – 28, expect W Cermak Road from Ashland to Morgan to be totally blocked off for this iconic event.
This event is alcohol- and tobacco-free, but before you panic, there’s a good reason. The festival aims to be as family-friendly as possible, and while other events may claim this same language, it’s not always a totally secure environment for kids. Fiesta del Sol promises that there is something to do for the whole family, and trust us when we say there is no shortage of things to do.
Pilsen Neighbors Community Council hosts this annual fundraising event to keep festivals like this one free and open to the public. Drawing nearly 1 million visitors every year, the four-day festival is jam-packed with live entertainment, local art, food vendors, carnival rides, a kids’ area, and so much more.
What to Expect
Musical Acts
Local bands and entertainers come together to give Fiesta del Sol a heartbeat at one of two stages throughout the festival.
Food Vendors
Enjoy Latin cuisine from dozens of iconic Chicago restaurants, food trucks, and pop-up vendors. This is an alcohol-free event, but you can still enjoy cool beverages at several vendor stalls.
Art & Culture Pavilion
Artists of all avenues display their work throughout the festival, but the Art and Culture Pavilion promotes an entire art fair where you can engage in craft-making yourself while learning about the influence art has on the Pilsen neighborhood.
Children’s Area
Encouraging social interaction, play, and reading, the Children’s Area provides tons of fun activities for kids, like face painting, storytime, and educational games.
College Fair
This portion of the festival provides information on education rights for undocumented students, as well as direction for the college application process and available scholarships.
Pilsen Schools Expo
Pilsen-based school representatives have a booth that informs parents on what they can do in their neighborhood to get more involved in their kids’ education.
Civil Rights of Immigrants Booth
This booth helps Chicago’s immigrant community by providing free legal advice, a citizenship workshop, and other resources that will help them know their rights as contributing members of American society.
Keeping Healthy Campaign
Alivio Medical Center helps encourage a healthy lifestyle with their information booth on good eating and exercise habits, stress reduction, healthy cooking, diabetes, high blood pressure prevention, and weight control.
Carnival
Prize-motivated games, carnival rides, a Ferris wheel, and something called the Moby Dick are expected at this year’s Fiesta del Sol. Want unlimited rides? The Mega Pass is the way to go. More information below!
Copa Fiesta del Sol
Over 500 kids from 34 Chicago-based teams will participate in a week-long soccer tournament between three co-ed divisions. Watch the final teams compete over the Fiesta del Sol weekend!
Event Information
Location
On W Cermak Road from Ashland to Morgan. Find parking nearby with Chicago Parking Map!
Hours
July 25: 5 PM – 10 PM
July 26 & 27: 11 AM – 11 PM
July 28: 11 AM – 10 PM
RSVP
While the festival is free to all, organizers hope you will RSVP to let them know you’re coming!
Mega Pass
Want unlimited rides at the carnival? The Mega Pass is a cheaper option than paying full price at Fiesta del Sol, so if you know your kids are going to eventually wear you down, this is definitely the way to go.
Once you purchase a Mega Pass, make sure to check your email for the receipt and bring it to 2026 S. Blue Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 to redeem your ticket. The deadline to redeem a Mega Pass is before 5 pm on July 19, so you better hurry if you want to get in on this deal!
That’s all, folks! See you at the Fiesta.
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Featured Image Credit: Fiesta del Sol