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-Air & Water Show Cruises! 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.

See the City of Chicago site for more Neighborhood Parade details.


FESTIVALS

See City of Chicago site for Neighborhood Festival details.

CHICAGO EVENT LISTS
Concerts | Theater | Major Festivals & Parades | Annual Events | Event Calendar

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