The Chicago Route - South Side festival life with the Chicago skyline
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Chicago South Side: Your Curated Guide to Local Businesses & Events

Find your way. · Backed by Locals · Audited by The Route · 100% Free to be Listed

★ Search The Route ★

What services does Chicago Route offer?

Chicago Route offers a curated list of services. Pick a service and we’ll take you to the relevant curated list of businesses and events.

All southside businesses · Updated weekly

★ SPOTLIGHT ★

This Week’s Spotlight.

Refreshed daily from the full directory · new 3 every day

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★ Supporter Spotlight

Backed by the Neighborhood.

The businesses backed by the neighborhood are those that pay it forward. These are local businesses that contribute to the community; click through to support them.

★ South Side Calendar ★

Upcoming Festivals & Events

90 days of live music, food, art, and community across the South Side — from Pilsen to Beverly to Oak Lawn.

Full Calendar →
23 MAY · FRI–SUN
Pilsen
Mole de Mayo Festival
11am – 10pm · 18th Street

Three days of mole, mariachi, lucha libre. The People’s Choice Award turns Pilsen restaurants into legends.

30 MAY · SAT
Bridgeport
Bridgeport Art Crawl
5pm – 11pm · Multiple Venues

Open studios, galleries, and food vendors across Bridgeport’s working-artist scene. Walk it, don’t drive it.

06 JUN · SAT
Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn Summer Kickoff
12pm – 9pm · 95th & Cicero

Food trucks, cover bands, kids’ zone, beer garden. The unofficial start of southside summer.

13 JUN · SAT
Beverly
Beverly Art Walk
11am – 7pm · 95th Street

Local artists open studios, restaurants spill onto sidewalks, the neighborhood becomes one big gallery.

21 JUN · SAT
Bronzeville
Bronzeville Summer Soul Fest
1pm – 10pm · MLK & 47th

Live soul, blues, and gospel, plus Black-owned food vendors and crafters. A celebration of the neighborhood’s heritage.

27 JUN · SAT–SUN
Pilsen
Pilsen Open Studios
12pm – 8pm · Various Locations

35+ Pilsen artists open their studios to the public. Buy direct, meet the makers, peek behind the curtain.

04 JUL · SAT
Chicago Ridge
South Side Fireworks
9pm – 10pm · Stony Creek Golf Course

Free 4th of July fireworks visible across the south suburbs. Bring a chair, bring a cooler, claim your spot early.

11 JUL · SAT
Bridgeport
Taste of Bridgeport
11am – 9pm · Halsted Street

Every Bridgeport restaurant under one tent. Pork chop sandwiches to Polish pierogi. Live music all day.

18 JUL · SAT
Beverly
Beverly Hills Cycling Classic
8am – 4pm · 103rd Street Loop

Pro and amateur road cycling races up Beverly’s iconic hills. Spectators line the course all day.

25 JUL · FRI–MON
Pilsen · MUST-SEE
Fiesta del Sol
All day · Cermak between Throop & Morgan

The biggest Latino festival in the Midwest. 4 days, 1.2M visitors, every Pilsen restaurant out on the street. Don’t miss it.

01 AUG · FRI–SUN
Bronzeville
Bronzeville Cultural Arts Fest
11am – 8pm · 35th & King Drive

Three days celebrating Black art, music, and history. Vendors, dance performances, kids’ programming.

09 AUG · SAT
Bronzeville · LANDMARK
Bud Billiken Parade
9am – 4pm · King Drive & Washington Park

95+ years strong. The largest African-American parade in the country. End-of-summer Bronzeville tradition.

15 AUG · SAT
Mt. Greenwood
Mount Greenwood Family Day
11am – 6pm · 111th Street

Block party, bounce houses, BBQ contest, and live country music. Mt. Greenwood at its most Mt. Greenwood.

View Full Calendar →
14 festivals over the next 90 days. Submit your event: contact us →
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Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is The Chicago Route?

The Chicago Route is a curated online guide dedicated to the South Side of Chicago. It helps residents and visitors discover local restaurants, services like plumbers and HVAC pros, and community events. The platform aims to provide real reviews from real people.

2 What kind of businesses and services can I find on The Chicago Route?

You can find a variety of businesses and services on The Chicago Route, including restaurants, plumbers, HVAC professionals, and tax agents. The directory focuses on providing a comprehensive guide to establishments on Chicago's South Side.

3 How can I find events and festivals on the South Side?

The Chicago Route features a section dedicated to local events and festivals happening on the South Side. You can browse listings for weekend festivals and other community gatherings to find things to do.

4 Can I list my own business on The Chicago Route?

Yes, The Chicago Route provides an option for businesses to be listed in its directory. You can find a "List Your Business" link on the site to learn more about how to add your establishment to the curated guide for Chicago's South Side.

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