Illinois
Champaign-Urbana Folk & Roots Festival – Dates: Early November
“The Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival is an all-volunteer-run, grassroots festival that brings together national, regional and local artists and folk organizations for over 80 high-quality folk performances and participatory activities throughout downtown Urbana. The festival includes performances, dances, instructional sessions, jams, song-circles, family activities, storytelling, instrument-making and much, much more! The festival has a particular interest in evolving and unique forms of folk music and art, especially forms that break down barriers between audience and performers, while also providing the occasion to preserve local traditions and histories.” – Submit to Perform
ColdWaves Festival – Dates: Late September
Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival – Dates: Mid August
“The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (GAAF) is a free, weekend-long arts festival that features 100+ artists, open studios, and live entertainment on three outdoor stages. Experience art of all disciplines, music, theater, food and drink on the cobblestone streets of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District in Chicago’s historic Rogers Park neighborhood.” – Submit to Perform
Jeff Fest – Dates: Late July
“Jeff Fest has become one of Chicago’s most highly anticipated music festivals of the summer. Cutting edge local and national acts fill out a jam-packed weekend. There’s something for everyone, every genre.”
Lollapalooza – Dates: Early August
“It’s hard to believe it’s been twenty years since Lollapalooza first took the stage with amplifiers cranked to eleven. From the early days when flannel-clad grunge rockers cleared out mosh pits for bands like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam to the present, when Arcade Fire and Kanye West draw gigantic crowds of all ages, the festival has taken on a life of its own, infused with the incredible energy of fans and the artists that rock them.”
North Coast Music Festival – Dates: Late August and early September
Pygmalion Music Festival – Dates: Late September
Riot Fest – Dates: Mid September
“In 2005, Riot Fest booked a multi-venue weekend of punk and rock in Chicago with bands such as Dead Kennedys, The Misfits, and The Bouncing Souls kicking things off. We even had ticket giveaways on our sweet Myspace page, and since then have been working hard every year to bring you the best fest we can.” – Submit to Perform
Summer Camp Music Festival – Dates: Late May
Taste of River North Festival – Dates: Mid July
Tomorrow Never Knows Festival – Dates: Mid January
World Music Festival – Dates: Mid September
“Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the city-wide, multi-venue, eight-day World Music Festival features acclaimed musicians from countries around the world. Featuring traditional and contemporary music from diverse cultures.” – Submit to Perform