Chicago is a city full of festivals, especially during the warm weather months. Travelers come from all over to listen to great music, taste the best in food and drink, experience culture, and meet new people. With so many options, narrowing down your choices may feel like a daunting task. These four festivals are some of Chicago’s top events, and each one offers a different experience. Whether you like music, food, airplanes, or culture, enjoy a taste of the best Chicago has to offer.

Chicago Underground Film Festival

Since 1993, the Chicago Underground Film Festival (abbreviated CUFF) has put on an annual event showing a wide range of films from many genres and different places. They showcase independent filmmaking in all its many facets, choosing films that range from off-the-wall to moving to experimental. The festival also offers concerts and other gatherings at night to augment the experience. If you’re looking for a film festival vastly different from the typical, this one is well worth attending.

Lollapalooza

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One weekend a year at the beginning of August, Lollapalooza comes to Grant Park in Chicago. This gigantic festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people and offers a wide range of music, from metal to alternative to hip hop. Famous bands and up-and-coming musicians are the most prominent draw, but you can also find visual arts, booths full of fun stuff to buy, comedians, and dance performances. Getting a hotel in Chicago during Lollapalooza weekend can be a bit of a headache, so if you’re planning a Lollapalooza trip make sure you find a hotel as early as you can to avoid any stress!

Chicago Air and Water Show

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In August, Lake Michigan sets the scene for the Chicago Air and Water Show, where talented pilots take their planes through brilliant acrobatics and beautifully choreographed routines. Watch parachuting, boat-jumping, and water-skiing as well. This popular festival has been held since 1959, and is so grand you can see it from most of Chicago’s waterfront. This one’s perfect for families and kids especially.

Taste of Chicago

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At Taste of Chicago, Grant Park’s giant outdoor food festival, admission is free, so the only thing you’ll have to spend money on is the food itself. As the world’s largest food festival, Taste of Chicago offers more food than you could ever hope to taste, but the sheer volume of vendors and dishes means that you’ll find something tasty, whether you want to try something new or find a new version of your old favorite dish. Wading through a crowd of millions in the July heat might be a little exhausting, but the festival is definitely worth it.

These are some of Chicago’s best festivals, but they are by no means the only options. Travel to Chicago for longer than a weekend during the summer or fall and experience as many festivals as you can. Between exciting days outdoors, explore Chicago’s considerable sightseeing opportunities, fantastic food, and great shopping.