Chicago’s Most Spirited Festival Returns This Summer
Summertime in Chicago means a different festival every week, but out of all the neighborhood fests, Wicker Park Fest might be better than the rest. From July 26 – 28, visit the Wicker Park Festival to see art installations, heart-pounding live bands, and plenty of food trucks to go around.
This weekend, tons of people will cover the streets at the Wicker Park Fest to enjoy two days worth of eclectic music, beautiful art from local artisans, delicious food, and more. Here’s everything you need to know if you plan on hitting up Wicker Park Fest. We promise you’ll be sorry if you miss it!
Where It’s At
As the name says, it’s in Wicker Park, of course! Specifically, the Wicker Fest will be set up on Milwaukee Avenue, from North Avenue to Paulina Street. If you’re taking the CTA, the Blue Line to either Division or Damen is most convenient. Biking or ride-sharing is always recommended as well.
Wicker Park Festival Entry Rules
Wicker Park Fest is free, but a donation of $10 is appreciated by the Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce to help keep the fest alive. Attendees are welcome to leave and re-enter the fest as needed. Wicker Fest is also family-friendly and there will be activities arranged for children. Dogs are allowed too, as long as they’re kept leashed.
What to Wear At Wicker Fest
It’s going to be a pretty toasty weekend with temperatures in the mid-80s. Saturday will have a few clouds but you can mostly expect a lot of sun, while Sunday may have some clouds. As always, we recommend wearing loose clothing and sleeveless items like shorts, tank tops, and sundresses to the Wicker Park Fest in Chicago. You can always rep your favorite band with one of their t-shirts! There will probably be big crowds, so opt for closed-toe shoes to stay safe.
What to Do at Wicker Park Fest
Aside from the top-notch music acts, there’s plenty more to see and do at Wicker Park Fest. The Collaboraction Art Oasis will host activities like a dance tournament, break dancing performances, and an art bar where you can create things out of recycled materials. For little ones, there will be variety-style entertainers, crafts, nail painting, hair streaking, face painting, balloon animals, and more at the Wicker Fest. Of course, food and retail vendors will be everywhere.
Where to Stay
The cool thing about the Wicker Fest is if you’re staying overnight, you’ll likely find a unique and charming little bed and breakfast, rather than the sprawling (and pricey) corporate hotels you’d find in the Loop. House of Two Urns B&B, Ray’s Bucktown Bed & Breakfast, and Wicker Park Inn are recommended by the Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce for an easy distance.
Wicker Park Fest Lineup
Center Stage
SATURDAY
Noon – 1:00 Urbanity Dance
1:00-1:30 Femme Rebellion
1:30-2:00 Mazi Dance
2:00-2:30 MixxedFit
2:30-3:30 Dance Hokule’a
3:30-4:00 DJ Bvax
4:15-4:45 Bollywood Groove
SUNDAY
noon-1:00 Bucktown Crossfit
1:00-2:00 Mirepoix Studio Yoga
2:00-2:30 MixxedFit
2:30-3:00 Dynamic Force Dance
3:00-4:00 Club Pilates
4:00-5:00 Sally & AJ’s Vaudeville Show
North Stage
FRIDAY
9:00 – 10:00 Screaming Females
7:45 – 8:30 Bad Cop/Bad Cop
6:30 – 7:15 Blood People
SATURDAY
8:30 – 10:00 Durand Jones & The Indications
7:15 – 8:00 Lowdown Brass Band
6:00 – 6:45 Hot Flash Heat Wave
4:45 – 5:30 Sacred Paws
3:30 – 4:15 Free Snacks
2:15 – 3:00 Jupiter Styles
12:00 – 1:45 School Of Rock Highwood/Evanston
SUNDAY
8:45 – 10:00 Leikeli47
7:15 – 8:15 Open Mike Eagle
6:00 – 6:45 Sidney Gish
4:45 – 5:30 Mother Nature
3:30 – 4:15 Nikki Lynette
2:15 – 3:00 CASE
1:00 – 1:45 Arts of Life
South Stage
FRIDAY
8:45 – 10:00 Hepcat
7:15 – 8:15 Deals Gone Bad
6:00 – 6:45 Emily Blue
5:00 – 5:30 E.N Young
5:00 – 5:30 E.N Young
SATURDAY
9:00 – 10:00 WAVVES
7:45 – 8:30 Vundabar
6:30 – 7:15 Viagra Boys
5:15 – 6:00 Amyl & The Sniffers
4:00 – 4:45 Early Eyes
3:00 – 3:30 CJ Run
1:00 – 2:30 School Of Rock Chicago West
SUNDAY
8:30 – 10:00 Superchunk
7:00 – 8:00 Murder By Death
5:45 – 6:30 LA Witch
4:30 – 5:15 Shy Boys
3:15 – 4:00 Fran
1:00 – 2:45 School Of Rock Chicago
Are you going to Wicker Park Fest this year? Get your parking ahead of time!
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