A festival in the sky, the Chicago Air and Water Show returns with 19 acts zip-zooming through the air over Lake Michigan. The rest of the fests this weekend remain on the ground, with six more including culture-focused Festa Italiana and Ukrainian Days Festival. Hear world music, cover bands and more at Edison Park Fest, Albany Park World Fest and South Shore Summer Festival, and browse art at the Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest.
Chicago Air and Water Show
When: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: North Avenue Beach between Fullerton Avenue and Oak Street
How much: Free
The skinny: Nineteen aerial teams perform over Lake Michigan at the 58th annual show. Saturday kicks off with retired Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman tandem jumping with the U.S. Army Golden Knights to commemorate the United Service Organizations’ 75th anniversary. Catch nine more military teams and nine civilian teams, including Susan Dacy in the Super Stearman Model 70 biplane and precision acrobatic team the Aerostars.
Albany Park World Fest
When: Noon–10 p.m. Saturday and noon–9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Lawrence and Kimball avenues
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: Hear music from around the world at this third annual neighborhood fest, honoring residents’ cultural diversity. Along with an array of food, art and crafts, catch live entertainment, including Tsukasa Taiko drummers (12:30 p.m. Saturday), Royale Polynesian Revue with traditional dances from Hawaii, Tahiti and other South Pacific islands (2 p.m. Sunday) and more. Headlining the fest are African dance band Occidental Brothers (8 p.m. Saturday) and Carpacho y su Super Combo with salsa, cumbia and merengue beats (8 p.m. Sunday).
Edison Park Fest
When: 5–11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday
Where: Northwest Highway between Oshkosh Avenue and Oliphant Avenue, Oshkosh Avenue to Olmsted Avenue and Olmsted Avenue to Oliphant Avenue
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: The annual street fest has it all with food, music, art and more. Don’t miss headliners Jake Dodds (8 p.m. Friday), Mallrats (8 p.m. Saturday) and Headbangers Ball (8 p.m. Sunday). Along with local eats, a beer garden and a craft fair (noon–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), catch the dog show in Olympia Park on Sunday at 2 p.m. ($10 entry fee for dogs, 1:30 p.m. check-in time).
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
When: 6–10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Glenwood Avenue between Lunt and Farwell avenues
How much: Free
The skinny: More than 100 artists, including jewelry-makers, sculptors, painters, fiber and textile artists, glassworkers and more, come together for the 15th annual Rogers Park fest. The Friday Night Cobblestone Jam kicks off the event with live music from Louisville, Ky., rock band White Reaper (8 p.m.) and other performers. Enjoy the market on Saturday and Sunday, and catch live tunes on three stages, including Detroit blues-rock singer Eliza Neals on Saturday (6 p.m. Glenwood North Stage) and local bluegrass band Henhouse Prowlers on Sunday (8 p.m. Glenwood North Stage).
Ukrainian Days Festival
When: Noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (programming begins at 3 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively)
Where: Smith Park (2526 W. Grand Ave.)
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union (Aug. 24), this fest in its 33rd year features traditional cuisine, such as varenyky stuffed dumplings, dance, games and music from Ukrainian artists Taras Chubay and Kozak System.
South Shore Summer Festival
When: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday
Where: South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore Drive)
How much: Free
The skinny: Get ready to get down at this sixth annual South Side fest. The outdoor event features food, art and live entertainment from the South Shore Drill Team (1:30 p.m.), R&B singer Ieisha (2:30 p.m.), soul-funk group Con Funk Shun (6:30 p.m.) and more.
Festa Italiana
When: 5–10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon–11 p.m. Saturday and noon–10 p.m. Sunday (soft opening Friday at noon with one stage and beer tent)
Where: Ashland Avenue and Taylor Street
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta. But you won’t need to worry about any fake pasta at this Little Italy fest with traditional fare, meatball- and cannoli-eating contests and three stages of Italian music and dance and cover bands. Shop traditional art, play Italian card games and chow down on pizza, gnocchi, tiramisu and more from Bella Luna Cafe, Caponies Trattoria, Rosebud and others.
