Top Chicago Festivals 2023

Chicago festivals are bold, vibrant, and everything a live music event should be. From the multi-genre Lollapalooza to the hip-hop fueled The Summer Smash, these are the festivals you can’t miss.

Here’s your ultimate guide to the top festivals in Chicago in 2023.

Spring Awakening Music Festival

You’ve probably heard about this festival, and frankly, everything is true. Vibrant, bold, and always ready to host the biggest names from the electronic realm, Spring Awakening is a must stop-over for every electro head.

But the festival’s skill set in scoring top-notch talent is far from the only thing that made it a mammoth event. With groundbreaking stage design, impressive visuals, and attention to detail, Spring Awakening paved the way for immersive festival experiences.

Sueños Festival

What do J Balvin, Sech, and Natanael Cano have in common? They all took over Sueños Festival’s stages. Although the Chicago event is a rookie in the festival scene, it shows no signs of abating from its mission statement – to celebrate Latin culture and everything it encapsulates.

The multi-day event brings reggaeton titans, upcoming Latin artists, and local food vendors to Chicago’s lush Grant Park and creates an all-inclusive music experience. When you think the party’s over, Sueños Festival begs to differ with its afterparties in some of the city’s hottest venues.

North Coast Music Festival

Somewhere between the action-packed EDC and the fashionable Coachella, North Coast Music Festival symbolizes the partnership between Chicago’s independent promoters.

As the festival that satisfies the music thirst of every reveler, North Coast places its bets on multi-genre lineups – but keeps things electronic. Powerhouses like EDM hero Marshmello, Swedish-born dubstep artist Liquid Stranger, and dance-pop duo Two Friends have all played on North Coast’s carefully-designed stages.

The Summer Smash Festival

Not every music festival strives to be bigger, better, and bolder every year. But that’s not The Summer Smash Festival’s case. Also known as one of the US’s premier hip-hop events, the Chicago festival hosts a lineup of both established acts and rising rappers.

Created by local hip-hop blog and music video production house Lyrical Lemonade, The Summer Smash Festival is where urban music lovers get a glimpse of tomorrow’s hip-hop talent.

Lollapalooza

While Lollapalooza’s tentacles spread to other countries, capitals, and continents, its flagship event remains the main character. From its humble 1991 beginnings to its current international status, the Chicago-based music festival is one for the books.

Over the years, Lollapalooza became a major player in the festival game thanks to its roaring lineups. Lolla has come a long way from its rock roots and now hosts hard-to-score acts, multi-genre music programs, and the kind of vibes you won’t find anywhere else.