Lincoln Park is known, for good reason, as one of Chicago’s most desired neighborhoods. Unlike many of the enclaves sharing that designation, however, it is less about high-rises and tourist attractions than it is vintage brownstones and neighborhood pubs.
Though it includes its namesake park (Chicago’s largest) and the beach volleyball mecca that is North Avenue Beach, community events in Lincoln Park can be intimate, or at least scaled to fit its tree-lined streets.
Some annual favorites for area residents and visitors include:
- Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk: Celebrating its 50th year in 2018, this July festival includes self-guided tours of more than 80 gardens, guided architectural tours and two days of music, food and drink along with a designated activities area for children — the Kids’ Corner.
- Old Town Art Fair. More than 250 juried artists, an estimated 30,000 art fans, a garden walk, live music and a food court take over the Old Town Triangle Historic District one June weekend each year. The event was first held in 1950 and has for three years in a row been named the No. 1 art fair in the country by ArtFairCalendar.com. On the same weekend, the Wells Street Arts Festival exhibits another 200-plus artists at its event a few blocks to the south.
- Taste of Lincoln Avenue. At its origin in 1984 a neighborhood fundraiser, Taste of Lincoln Avenue has grown into an event attracting upward of 50,000 attendees over two days. The late-July event in 2018 featured more than 250 purveyors and 30 musical acts, as well as special chocolate, wine and whiskey tastings.
- Lincoln Park Greek Fest. George Greek Orthodox Church, serving its community at Sheffield and Schubert avenues since 1923, has for 41 years hosted this family-friendly event featuring Greek street foods, sweets and specialty plates. The three-day June event also offers traditional and modern Greek music and pop music acts, dance troupes, kids activities, a crafts area and tours of the church.
About That Park …
Lincoln Park, the green space, percolates with activities throughout the year. Among the popular programs at Lincoln Park Zoo are Fitness at the Zoo (yoga); Family Nature Days; Music at the Patio; Adults Night; Fall Fest; and Holiday Market. Another of the great events in Lincoln Park is the annual Chicago Sprints Regatta at Lincoln Park Boat Club, the largest sprint season regatta in the Midwest, held on a 1,000-meter course in the Lincoln Park Lagoon.
