Chicago 2008 Festivals, Parades & Events

Chicago is home to many great festivals each year. 2008 is no exception. Listed below are some of the more significant festivals and events that Chicago has to offer. See our Chicago Event Calendar for additional local events.

JOIN MYSTIC BLUE FOR THE 50th ANNUAL CHICAGO AIR & WATER SHOW!
	Mystic Blue is offering special Cruises with spectacular views of the US Navy Blue Angels and the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, as this year's Chicago Air & Water Show headliners. A remarkable way to view the city's beautiful skyline & the Air & Water Show while enjoying a bountiful buffet, live entertainment and dancing. Click for more info.

EVENTS


10th Annual Mayor Daley's Kids and Kites Festival www.chicagokidsandkites.us	May 3 (Museum of Science & Industry) October 4 (Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park)
Mayor Daley's Jumping Jack www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents	May-September
Chicago Summer Neighborhood Festivals www.chicagoneighborhoodfestivals.us	May-September
Bike Chicago 2008 www.bikechicago.us	May–September
Farmers Markets www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us	May-October
10th Annual Great Chicago Places and Spaces www.greatchicagoplaces.us	May 17-18
Chicago Memorial Day Parade www.chicagoparades.us	May 24
24th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival (in Millennium Park) www.chicagogospelmusicfestival.us	May 30-June 1
25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival www.chicagobluesfestival.us	June 5-8
Bike To Work Day Rally www.bikechicago.us	June 13
28th Annual Taste of Chicago www.tasteofchicago.us	June 27-July 6
16th Annual Race to the Taste www.chicagoracetotaste.us	June 29
9th Annual Chicago Outdoor Film Festival www.chicagooutdoorfilmfestival.us	July 15-Aug 26 (Tues. Only in Butler Field)
15th Annual Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament www.chicagomayorscupsoccer.us	July 12-13 (New Dates!)
51st Annual Venetian Night "in Summer's Favorite City" www.venetiannightchicago.us	July 26
Chicago Criterium Bike Race (New Event!) www.chicagocriterium.us	July 27
50th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show www.chicagoairandwatershow.us	August 16-17
20th Annual Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival www.vivachicago.us	August 23-24
30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival www.chicagojazzfestival.us	August 28-31
12th Annual Celtic Fest Chicago www.celticfestchicago.us	September 13-14
18th Annual Chicago Country Music Festival @ Soldier Field (New Location!) www.chicagocountrymusicfestival.us	October 11-12 (New Dates!)
12th Annual Halloween Pumpkin Plaza www.chicagoween.us	October 17-31 (New Dates!)
Halloween Happening www.chicagoween.us	October 25
Daley Plaza Santa's House www.underthepicasso.us	Nov. 27-Dec. 24
95th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony www.underthepicasso.us	November 28
Mayor Daley's 9th Annual Holiday Sports Festival www.chicagoholidaysportsfestival.us	December 27-29

DOWNTOWN PARADES
(alpha sequence, check carefully)

	Chicago's Memorial Day Parade
	May 24, 2008 State Street from Wacker Street to Van Buren Street Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Columbus Day Parade
	October 13, 2008 Columbus from Balbo to Monroe Start Time: 12:30 p.m.
	Disability Pride Parade
	July 26, 2008 Clark from Van Buren to Washington Start Time: Noon
	Family Christian Parade
	June 21, 2008 Columbus from Balbo to Monroe Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Magnificent Mile Lights Festival & Parade
	November 22, 2008 Michigan Ave. from Oak Street to Chicago River Start Time: 6:00 p.m.
	Mexican Independence Day Parade
	September 6, 2008 Columbus from Balbo to Monroe Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Polish Constitution Day Parade
	May 3, 2008 Columbus from Balbo to Monroe Start Time: 11:30 a.m.
	Puerto Rican Parade
	June 14, 2008 Columbus from Balbo to Monroe Start Time: 12:00 p.m.
	St. Jude Police Memorial March
	May 4, 2008 Starting at Museum Campus Drive & Solidarity Drive, proceed West on Solidarity Drive to Museum Campus Drive, South to Waldron Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
	St. Patrick's Day Parade
	March 15, 2008 Columbus from Balbo to Monroe Start Time: 12 p.m.
	State Street Halloween Happening Parade
	Saturday October 25, 2008 @ Noon State and Randolph
	State Street Thanksgiving Parade
	November 27, 2008 State Street from Congress to Randolph Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
	Venetian Night
	July 26, 2008 Boat Parade and Fireworks Display Along Lake Michigan between the Shedd Aquarium at Roosevelt Road and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street 8:30pm Boat Parade 9:30pm Firework

See City of Chicago site for more Downtown Parade details.

NEIGHBORHOOD PARADES
(alpha sequence, check carefully)

	26th St. Mexican Independence Day Parade
	September 14, 2008 26th Street from Albany to Kostner Start Time: 12 p.m.
	63rd Street Holiday Parade
	December 6, 2008 63rd Street from Tripp to Oakley Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
	Assyrian New Year Parade
	March 30, 2008 Western from Peterson to Pratt Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
	Bangladesh Day Parade
	March 22, 2008 Devon from Damen to Western Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic
	August 9, 2008 Martin Luther King Dr. from 35th to 55th Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
	Central American Parade
	September 7, 2008 Montrose from California to Kimball Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Chicagoland Toys For Tots Motorcycle Parade
	December 7, 2008 On Western from 87th Street to Foster, West to Kedzie Start Time: 9:30 a.m.
	Cinco De Mayo Parade
	May 4, 2008 Damen & Cermak west to Marshall Blvd. & Cermak Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Double Ten Parade
	October 11, 2008 Wentworth from Cermak to 24th St. Start Time: 12:30 p.m.
	Ecuador Parade
	August 10, 2008 Montrose from California to Kimball Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade
	June 29, 2008 Halsted from Belmont to Broadway, South on Broadway to Diversy Start Time: 12 p.m.
	General Von Steuben Day Parade
	September 6, 2008 Start at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave to Wilson Ave, continue north on Western Ave and end in the Festival area. Start Time: 2:00 p.m.
	Greek Independence Day Parade
	March 30, 2008 Halsted from Randolph to Van Buren Start Time: 2:30pm
	India Independence Day Parade
	August 16, 2008 Devon from Western to California Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Northwest Side Irish Parade
	March 16, 2008 Raven/Neola to NW Highway/Harlem Start Time: 11 a.m.
	Pakistan Independence Parade
	August 17, 2008 Devon from Ridge to Western Start Time: 12:30 p.m.
	Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade
	September 13, 2008 Newberry & 18th Street; West on 18th Street to Wolcott Start Time: 12 p.m.
	South Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade
	September 14, 2008 Commercial Avenue from 87th to 100th Street Start Time: 12 p.m.
	Southside Irish Parade
	March 9, 2008 Western Avenue from 103rd-115th Streets Start Time: 12 p.m.