Join me at my personal favorite Chicago summer street festival: West Fest!

West Fest is an annual festival in Chicago’s West Town Community on July 8-10th on Chicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street. The event began in 2004 with 40 vendors and one live music stage. In 2015 there were three stages, over 100 vendors, and 40,000 attendees!

What makes West Fest so unique? West Fest stands out from the rest because it is locally planned and managed by the West Town Chamber of Commerce, thus the emphasis is on local offerings and local talent. West Fest features neighborhood retailers and restaurants, fine artists, crafters, and more. The event reflects the eclectic and hip West Town community, and is also known for cutting edge live music. 

2016 is the 10th Anniversary of the West Fest DJ Stage and producers plan to showcase some high-profile local, national, and International DJs this year. Since 2006 the West Fest DJ Stage has annually hosted some of the most well-known DJs in Chicago such as Mark Farina, Jesse De La Pena and our Sunday night staple, Derrick Carter. The 2016 DJ Stage will again focus mainly on Chicago House music that gets the crowd moving!

Here are some pictures from years past, photo cred to the other photographers!