12 Chicago Festivals That Should Be On Every Visitor's Bucket List

It doesn’t matter how cold or hot it is outside, Chicago never slows down. That means that there’s always something to keep you occupied no matter what time of the year you visit. But when you think of all there is to do in the Windy City, you should be keeping a bucket list, and we've outlined the absolute top picks in the following slides.

Chicago's annual celebration of its rich culinary scene takes place at restaurants downtown, in local neighborhoods and in the suburbs. The official Chicago Restaurant Week showcases more than 350 local eateries with prix-fixe menus. It allows diners to check out as many restaurants as possible, so if you’re in Chicago during those two weeks, it should definitely be on your social calendar.

Also Happening in January

Chicago Cubs Convention

SoxFest Chicago

January Weather

Average High Temperature: 30°F (-1°C)

Average Low Temperature: 15°F (-9°C)

Average Precipitation: 1.8"

Average Snowfall: 10.99"

The Chicago Auto Show bills itself as North America's oldest and largest auto show. First held in 1901, this year marks the 109th Chicago Auto Show event. Chicago is known as a frequent launching ground for new trucks.

Also Happening in February

Chicago Restaurant Week

Chicago Theater Week

Black Creativity at Museum of Science and Industry

February Weather

Average High Temperature: 33°F (1°°C)

Average Low Temperature: 17°F (-8°C)

Average Snowfall: 8.0"

When the Chicago River is dyed green every March, it puts everyone in the mood for St. Patrick's Day festivities. Chicago is also one of the few cities featuring two major parades, with the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade and South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade occurring within a week. And since we’re all about honoring the authentic, of course, we’ve gathered some of Chicago’s top Irish bars where you’re guaranteed a great Guinness pour and more.

Also Happening in March

C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo

Chicagoland Flower & Garden Show

Good Food Festival & Conference

March Weather

Average High Temperature: 45° F (7° C)

Average Low Temperature: 28° F (-2° C)

Average Precipitation: 2.7"

Average Snowfall: 7.0"

Love pork? You've come to the right place if you dig all things swine because BaconFest boasts the country's premier event featuring top local chefs and bartenders determined to outdo each other with the most creative offerings ever. It's pretty sweet (yes, there's even bacon in the desserts), but get ready to smell like bacon for at least a couple of days. Oh well. Live a little!

Also Happening in April

Chicago Dance Month

Chicago Latino Film Festival

Chicago International Movies and Music Festival

WhiskyFest Chicago

April Weather

Average High Temperature: 57°F (14°C)

Average Low Temperature: 39°F (4°C)

Average Precipitation: 3.5"

The Windy City’s thriving craft beer community continues to grow--and we have our favorites--so it should come as no surprise that the Chicago Craft Beer Week is one of the most anticipated events of the year. It's a 10-day celebration held in more than 300 venues, and it coincides with American Craft Beer Week. Expect tastings of rare beers, new releases and other special events.

Also Happening in May

Chicago Kids and Kites Festival

Chicago Underground Film Festival

Mayfest

May Weather

Average High Temperature: 69°F (20°C)

Average Low Temperature: 49°F (9°C)

Chicago Pride's most famous event, its colorful and celebratory annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade, kicks off at noon the last Sunday in June. It's considered one of the largest events of its kind and occurs in the heart of Boystown.

Also Happening in June

Andersonville Midsommarfest

Chicago Blues Festival

Chicago PrideFest 

Chicago Gospel Music Festival 

Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party

Old Town Art Fair

Printers Row Lit Festival

Puerto Rican People's Day Parade & Festival

RibFest

Taste of Randolph

Wells Street Art Festival

June Weather

Average High Temperature: 79°F (26°C)

Average Low Temperature: 57°F (14°C)

Average Precipitation: 3.7"

Everything at the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park, with the exception of food, drinks and ticketed concerts, is free. Prices vary for concerts. It is one of the country's largest food festivals featuring delights from local restaurants and food trucks. This year the festival runs July 5-9.

Also Happening in July

Pitchfork Music Festival

Roscoe Village Burger Fest

The Chosen Few DJs Music Festival

Silver Room Block Party

Taste of Lincoln Avenue

July Weather

Average High Temperature: 84°F (29°C)

Average Low Temperature: 63°F (17°C)

Average Precipitation: 3.7"

The traveling music festival organized by Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell started in 1991 and has grown into one of the world's largest--and most annually anticipated--live music events. Lollapalooza takes place in Grant Park during the first weekend of August. It consists of several stages, including one for children and a main stage, plus Chowtown (where restaurant vendors reside), a retail component and more. It has been expanded to four days.

Also Happening in August

African Festival of the Arts

Bud Billiken Parade

Northalsted Market Days

Northcoast Music Festival

August Weather

Average High Temperature: 81°F (27°C)

Average Low Temperature: 63°F (17°C)

Average Precipitation: 3.6"

The annual Chicago food festival--sponsored by Bon Appetit, the Illinois Restaurant Association and Southern Wine & Spirits of America--occurs in Millennium Park. Chicago Gourmet showcases local, national and international culinary talent during a three-day festival.

Also Happening in September

Chicago Jazz Festival

Berghoff's Oktoberfest

World Music Festival Chicago

September Weather

Average High Temperature: 74°F (23°C)

Average Low Temperature: 55°F (13°C)

Average Precipitation: 3.4"

The esteemed Chicago International Film Festival launched in 1964 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. It presents more than 150 narrative feature, documentary and short films from more than 50 countries over a two-week period.

Also Happening in October

Chicago Artists Month

Chicago Humanities Festival

Chicago Marathon

Columbus Day Parade

October Weather

Average High Temperature: 63°F (17°C)

Average Low Temperature: 44°F (7°C)

Average Precipitation: 2.5"

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, plus others, kick off the holiday season during the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on the famed Magnificent Mile shopping district. More than one million lights on 200 trees will be lit during the event that will also include a number of family-friendly performances.

Also Happening in November

Christmas Around the World

Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights

McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade

November Weather

Average High Temperature: 47°F (8°C)

Average Low Temperature: 32°F (0°C)

Average Precipitation: 2.7"

Average Snowfall: 2.9"

The Christkindlmarket Chicago holiday market takes place in Daley Plaza from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve and offers unique crafts and gifts for sale, live entertainment, as well as German-focused food and drinks. It is the largest event of its kind in the United States.

Also Happening in December

Chicago Trolley Holiday Lights Tour

Christmas Around the World

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights

Winter WonderFest

December Weather

Average High Temperature: 35°F (2°C)

Average Low Temperature: 21°F (-6°C)

Average Precipitation: 2.4"

Average Snowfall: 8.98"