West Fest Chicago
Photo by An Phan
About
2023
Friday, July 7th
5-10pm
Saturday & Sunday, July 8th & 9th
12pm-10pm
Chicago Ave. between Wood & Damen
1800-2000 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago IL 60622)
$10 Optional Donation
#WestFestChicago @WestFestChicago
West Fest Chicago is an annual street festival held in Chicago’s West Town Community on Chicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street presented by the West Town Chamber of Commerce. West Fest Chicago began in 2004 and has since grown into one of Chicago’s most popular and well attended street festivals. In 2020 due to COVID, West Fest Chicago went virtual #WestFestChicagoAtHome.
What makes West Fest Chicago so unique? The festival stands out because it is locally planned and managed by the West Town Chamber of Commerce, thus the emphasis is on local offerings and talent. West Fest Chicago presents neighborhood retailers and restaurants, plus local fine artists and makers as vendors. The event also features Pet Fest with dog activities for charity, and Kid Fest with family activities and live entertainment, and more.
West Fest Chicago reflects the eclectic West Town community, and is also renown for cutting edge live music programmed by Empty Bottle Presents, plus the ever popular West Fest Chicago House DJ stage.
There is a $10 suggested donation to attend West Fest Chicago. Proceeds benefit the West Town Chamber of Commerce, a local 501 C6 providing valuable programs and services for the small businesses in West Town Chicago.
Pet Fest
Pet Fest is held on Saturday and Sunday 12-6pm during West Fest Chicago and is organized and sponsored by Canine Crews. Pet Fest features a dog obstacle course, paw painting, pet retail and services booths; plus various pet related demonstrations throughout the day.
All proceeds from activities in Pet Fest benefit Alive Rescue and One Tail at a Time.
Vendors
West Fest Chicago features local restaurants, food trucks, food vendors, West Town retail vendors, corporate sponsors, local artists and more.
Interested in vendor opportunities? Click the button below to get added to our Vendor distribution list.
2023 applications will be released no later than March 30, 2023.
Kid Fest
Kid Fest takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 12-7pm during West Fest Chicago and is organized by and benefits:
Talcott Fine Arts & Museum Academy.
Kid Fest takes place on an adjacent street (Wolcott between Chicago Avenue and Rice Street) within the fest site and offers quality children and family activities including train rides, bounce houses, an inflatable super slide, pony rides, carnival games, kid friendly vendors, and a kid's stage with live family friendly music.
$10 Suggested Donation (at the main gates).
Sponsors
West Fest Chicago Sponsorship can connect your business with a wide range of consumers through sampling and/or sales, lead generation, displays; plus logo inclusion, web links, social media promotions and more.
Custom sponsorship packages are created according to the sponsor's individual category, goals, and budget.
Learn more about custom sponsorship opportunities in 2022 by contacting Kate Ziyad at 312-850-9390, kziyad@westtownchamber.org
Thanks to Past Sponsors & Partners
Contacts
General Event Contact
Vendor & Sponsor Contact
Media Contact
Zapwater Communications:
Talent Booking Contacts
For all Empty Bottle Presents booking inquiries please email Brent Heyl at brent@emptybottle.com
Empty Bottle c/o Brent Heyl 1035 N Western Ave Chicago, IL 60622
Note: please allow 3 weeks for follow up. Feel free to check in after this time if you have yet to receive a reply.
Phone calls are welcome as well at 773 276 3600.
For all West Fest Chicago DJ Stage inquires please contact info@westtownchamber.org.
In 2019 the event benefited the West Town Chamber of Commerce and Talcott Fine Art Fine Arts and Museum Academy.
Answers to FAQs
Directions and Transportation Information
West Fest Chicago takes place on Chicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street. The address at Damen and Chicago Avenue is 2000 W. Chicago Avenue for navigational purposes. There is FREE Bike Parking at West Fest Chicago and the event is easily accessible by public transportation via the #66 CTA Chicago Avenue BUS and/or the closest El Train stops are the Blue Line at Division or at Chicago Avenue. Vehicle street parking nearby the fest is also available.
Dog Policy
Well behaved dogs on leashes are allowed within the festival site. However, we advise owners to be aware of the heat during the day as the event takes place primarily on asphalt and concrete. West Fest Chicago can also get very crowded and difficult to navigate with a dog, especially past 7pm.
$10 Suggested Donation
There is an optional $10 donation requested to attend the event. Proceeds from West Fest Chicago benefit local non-profits and schools. West Fest Chicago is produced by and benefits the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce, a 501-C6 non-profit organization providing programs and services for the local small businesses. 100% of Pet Fest activity proceeds benefit local animal shelters, and 100% of Kid Fest activity proceeds benefit Talcott Fine Arts and Museum Academy.