Wicker Park Fest is electrifying Chicago once again, taking over Milwaukee Avenue from Damen to Wolcott for its 21st year, July 25–27. As of today, the three-day celebration pulses through the heart of Wicker Park, drawing tens of thousands with a stacked music lineup, creative local eats, and unique art and family experiences that truly showcase the neighborhood’s vibrancy.
Chicago’s “Best Street Festival of the Summer,” Wicker Park Fest runs from 5–10PM Friday and noon–10PM Saturday and Sunday. Always a music-first event, 2025’s fest partners with famed venue Subterranean to deliver over 50 acts on two stages—scaling down from three as part of a new eco-friendly approach.
Star-Studded Lineup & Milestones
This year’s mainstage draws include:
- Hotline TNT (shoegaze sensations)
- Letters to Cleo (Boston alt-rock legends)
- Deep Sea Diver (Seattle indie rock icons)
- Liquid Mike (Upper Peninsula upstarts)
- TimaLikesMusic (Brooklyn pop)
- MSPAINT (Mississippi’s electronica-hardcore pioneers)
- Evening Elephants (L.A. rock duo)
- LowDown Brass Band (Chicago’s own horn-driven funk ensemble)
Festival-goers also get a true taste of Chicago’s creative energy, with DJ collective Future Rootz celebrating a decade at the fest, alongside favorites like Lé Bump and Earlybirds Club. The focus is on fostering new talent; in past years, Wicker Park Fest has helped launch acts to national fame, including ODESZA and PUP.
What’s New for 2025
- Two Main Stages Only: Organizers have streamlined the event, dropping to two stages to minimize waste and cut rising costs.
- Eco-Initiatives: Efforts to “green” Chicago’s festivals are ramping up, with a coalition of 30+ event organizers, including Wicker Park Fest’s Pamela Maass, working to keep nonprofit street fests alive.
- Expanded Family & Pet Events: Kids Fest and Pet Fest both return, featuring ladybug releases, arts and crafts, and a dog ice-cream-eating contest—proceeds benefitting Friends of Burr Elementary, Chicago Dog Authority, and other neighborhood non-profits.
Eats, Drinks, and Shopping
With over 150 vendors across the weekend, attendees can sample the city’s best in food, drink, and artisan gifts:
- Local restaurants serve up global flavors, from gourmet cheese curds to classic Midwest corn dogs and funnel cakes.
- Chicago’s famed shops—bookstores, vintage clothing, and handmade craft stalls—line Milwaukee Avenue for a one-of-a-kind shopping spree.
Community Impact
A suggested $10 donation remains at the entry gate, supporting not just the fest but neighborhood schools, dog parks, and rescue groups. As costs soar, the donation model is more important than ever, helping ensure the festival’s future and supporting the broader community.
Highlights: Festival Schedule
Why It Matters
Wicker Park Fest is more than music—it’s a pillar of Chicago summer, a showcase for the city’s culinary, art, and music scenes, and a critical fundraiser for local causes. Despite challenges facing nonprofit fests, this weekend’s turnout shows Chicago’s passion for community and discovery is as strong as ever.
As the festival night winds down and another powerful set echoes through Milwaukee Avenue, there’s only one thing left to do: grab a friend, snap some photos, and let us know in the comments—which act, bite, or performance topped your Wicker Park Fest experience this year?