Art Fairs and Art Festivals 2023: Explore a World of Creativity at These Local Outdoor Shows

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Picture this: a warm summer day, strolling the streets of your downtown that are lined with booths filled with one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Support local artisans at these art fairs and festivals in 2023! They’re usually filled with creative artwork, delicious food, live music, and so much more. While a few of these events are geared more towards adults, you can usually find interactive kids areas and hands-on fun to get your child’s creativity flowing, too. Purchase a new piece for your home, sample a new treat, and connect with local artisans at one of these art fairs and festivals near you.

Please be sure to confirm all dates and times before attending. Also be aware that plans for children’s areas, food/drink, and live entertainment may change depending on permits and restrictions.

May Art Festivals

Art in Wilder Park
May 6 – 7, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
175 S Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Annual two-day art show of fine arts and crafts from more than 125 Midwestern artists. Show includes activities for children, musical entertainment, and food vendors.

Lilac Times Arts and Craft Fair
May 7, 2023 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
St. Charles Road, between Main and Elizabeth
Lombard, IL 60148
Food vendors and local artists, along with the Kids Zone for family-friendly activities.

Lincoln Roscoe Spring Art & Craft Fair
May 13, 2023 | 10:00am – 7:00pm
May 14, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Lincoln Avenue from Roscoe to School
Chicago, IL 60657
Visit local vendors and listen to live music, but don’t forget a stop at the Kids’ Art Tent.

Northbrook Art in the Park
May 20-21, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
1810 Walters Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062
More than 80 artists will fill the festival. You’ll also find kids art activities, live music, and food vendors.

What’s Blooming on Harrison (Oak Park)
May 20, 2023 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
On Harrison Street, Between Austin & Ridgeland Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
Oak Park’s biggest street festival returns this May with vendor booths, live music, carnival rides for children, and much more.

St. Charles Fine Art Show
May 27, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
May 28, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Riverside Avenue and Main Street (Rt 64)
St. Charles, IL 60174
This art fair includes kid-friendly hands-on art activities (including painting a car) and live music.

Barrington Art Festival
May 27 – 28, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Cook Street and Station Streets
Barrington, IL 60010
130 artists showing and selling art in all media including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, wearables and more. Youth art activities and booths filled with sweet treats.

June Art Festivals

Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival
June 3-4, 2023 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Burlington Park
30 E. Chicago Avenue
Hinsdale, IL 60521
This annual art show with 40+ years of history in shady Burlington Park hosts more than 130 artists.

Wells Street Art Festival
June 10-11, 2023 | opens at 10:00am
Wells Street between North Avenue and Division
Chicago, IL 60614
Features artists from all over North America, entertainment, a children’s play area, and food and drink.

Riverside Arts Weekend
June 10-11, 2023 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Guthrie Park
90 Bloomingbank Lane
Riverside, IL 60546
The festival usually features 75+ juried artists, as well as kids’ activities and food/drink booths.

Old Town Art Fair
June 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 7:00pm
June 11, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
1763 N. North Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Showcases the work of more than 200+ nationally acclaimed artists, a garden walk, live music, children’s arts and crafts activities, and local food vendors.

Millennium Art Festival
June 14-16, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Michigan Avenue and E. Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Annual arts festival featuring more than 110 juried artists as well as live music, food vendors, and more. Located a few blocks from Millenium Park and Maggie Daley Park.

Gold Coast Art Fair
June 17 – 18, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Butler Field at Grant Park
Chicago, IL 60601
Art and live music at this family-friendly art fair. $10 admission per person, per day; kids 12 and under are free.

Logan Square Arts Festival
June 23, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm
June 24-25, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Illinois Centennial Monument
3150 W. Logan Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60647
Celebrates the community’s creativity with two stages of live music, visual art, performance art, dance, and local food and drink.

Naperville Fine Art & Artisan Fair
June 24–25, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Naper Settlement
523 S Webster Street
Naperville, IL 60540
Featuring more than 110 artists exhibiting, selling, and demonstrating their original works in the heart of downtown Naperville. Food vendors, a community mural, and a Petite Picasso tent.

Burr Ridge Art Fair
June 24-25, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Burr Ridge Village Center
701 Village Center Drive
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
More than 90 artisans and makers will be displaying and selling their work. Kids activities include face painting and a graffiti wall.

July Art Festivals

Southport Art Festival
July 8-9, 2023 | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
On Southport Avenue from Waveland to Grace
Chicago, IL 60022
Explore various art medium from a diverse group of Chicago artists. Visit the designated kids area, too.

La Grange Art Fair
July 15-16, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
On La Grange Road, between Cossitt Avenue and Burlington Avenue
La Grange, IL 60525
Featuring over 175 artists and their works.

Glencoe Festival of Art
July 22-23, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Downtown Glencoe
Green Bay Road and Park Avenue
Glencoe, IL 60022
90+ juried artists from around the U.S., as well as live music, food, and kids’ activities.

Glenview Summer Art Fair
July 22–23, 2023 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
Lake Street and Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025
Fine arts and crafts galore. The fair usually includes kids’ activities, as well as henna and musicians.

Wicker Park Fest (Chicago)
July 28, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm
On Milwaukee Avenue between Ashland Avenue and Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
Visit this fair with over 200 artists and small business owners, live music, food vendors, and a kid-friendly zone.

Geneva Arts Fair
July 29-30, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
100 S. Third Street
Geneva, IL 60134
140+ artists showcase drawings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry, and more.

Art at the Glen
July 29-30, 2023 | 10:00am–5:00pm
The Glen Town Center
1800 Patriot Boulevard
Glenview, IL 60026
140+ juried artists show off their work in a variety of mediums. Event also features live music and designated kids’ areas.

August Art Festivals

Lincolnshire Art Festival
August 12-13, 2023 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
100 Village Green
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Art and live music.

Evanston Art and Big Fork Festival
August 18, 2023 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
August 19-20, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Downtown Evanston
800 Church Street
Evanston, IL 60201
This three-day art fair includes paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, furniture, and more. Witness live art demonstrations and explore kids’ activities.

Wine and Art Walk at The Morton Arboretum
August 19-20, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
Sip wine and shop for nature-themed art as you stroll around Meadow Lake. Browse photography, woodturning, jewelry, painting, ceramics, fused glass, and more from Midwest artists. 

Alley Art Fest
August 26, 2023 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Water Street Mall
1 E. Benton Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Free family-friendly event featuring artists, live music, performances, and more.

The Forge Art Walk
August 26–27, 2023 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
1001 Main Street
Lemont, IL 60439
Live music, theater performances, art classes, displays and even a hike through art displays.

Port Clinton Art Fest
August 26–27, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Port Clinton Square
600 Central Avenue
Highland Park, IL 60035
Art festival featuring 260 celebrated artists. Art demonstrations, local food, kids’ activities, and more.

Festival of the Arts
August 26–27, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Lake Ellyn Park
645 Lenox Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Take in the scenery of Lake Ellyn Park while supporting local artists. Complimentary shuttle service likely to run between the festival and downtown Glen Ellyn.

September Art Festivals

Deer Path Art League Art Fair on the Square
September 3-4, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Market Square and Western Avenue
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Two-day fine art fair featuring ceramics, digital art, jewelry, sculpture, photography, and more.

West End Arts Festival
September 9 –10, 2023 | times TBA
Stone Avenue Station
Burlington Ave. at Brainard
La Grange, IL 60525
Live music, chefs, food and drinks from local restaurants, activities for kids, and more.

Art on the Prairie
September 16, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
September 17, 2023 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Warrenville Park District Recreation Center Parking Lot
3S260 Warren Avenue
Warrenville, IL 60555
Local artists, food vendors, children’s activities and entertainment at this 2-day event.

Deer Park Art Show
September 16-17, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
North Rand Road
Deer Park, IL 60010
Art demonstrations and interactive kids stations, along with live music.

Searching for more ways to enjoy art with your kids? Check out these awesome kids art classes!

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