The 57th ANDERSONVILLE MIDSOMMARFEST

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to welcome summer with Andersonville Midsommarfest, one of Chicago’s oldest and most beloved summer street festivals. Now in its 57th year, the annual festival will be held June 9 – 11, 2023 along Andersonville’s Clark Street corridor.

For three nights and two days, this vibrant and diverse community will bring together over 80,000 people to celebrate a proud Swedish summer tradition with eclectic music, great vendors, food and free kids’ activities.

Midsommarfest kicks off Friday, June 9 from 5 pm – 10 pm on Clark St. from Foster Ave. to Gregory St. and continues Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 from 12 pm – 10 pm.

The fun begins Friday evening with opening ceremonies and entertainment on five stages: the North Stage (sponsored by Tokeativity) at Clark & Catalpa, the Center Stage at Berwyn (sponsored by Rattleback Records and Lady Gregory’s), the Swedish Stage at Clark & Farragut (new location, sponsored by the Swedish American Museumand Great Lakes Clinical Trials), the Balmoral Pride Stage (sponsored by Replay Andersonville & Elixir and Evoke Tattoos) and the Summerdale Stage (sponsored by The AVE Group and Bramble Theatre Company). Friday headliners include JC Brooks, Ariana DJ, Nora O’Connor and Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press.

The festivities continue Saturday with headliners including MIIRRORS, Bev Rage & The Drinks, Chicago Soul Spectacular and Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute. Midsommarfest wraps up Sunday with top acts including Cecy Santana, Sam Thousand & the Soul Vortex, Cosmic Jaywalkers and Sixteen Candles.

Also on Saturday and Sunday, ACC is pleased to introduce the Urban Pride Stage at Clark & Rascher. Chicago’s own Ariana DJ curates an eclectic line-up of music and dance - from hip hop and house – to Latin and Bollywood! See the weekend’s full entertainment line-up below!

Family-friendly highlights throughout the weekend include: Disney Drag Show, Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats, Drag Queen Story Time with Merriam Lefkovitz, Miss Foozie’s Pet Parade and The Jesse White Tumblers.

Join Chicago Therapy Collective on Friday from 4 – 9 pm for Midsommarfest: Drag is Not a Crime – Night of Trans Joy, a family-friendly celebration of the TGNC community. Hosted by Lucy Stoole, the event features family-focused activities including face painting and a manicure artist, a drag show featuring many of Chicago’s own trans and non-binary performers and a dance party with special guest Ariana DJ.

The annual kids area at Summerdale (Alamo Shoes parking lot) is sponsored Alamo Shoes, facilitated by Back Lot Bash with support from Cruelty Free You + Me.

Also new this year: Rollerskating at Midsommarfest in the Cheetah Gym parking lot (5238 N. Clark St.). Friday, June 9 from 5 – 10 pm, Saturday, June 10 & Sunday, June 11 from 2 – 10 pm. Advance tickets are available via Eventbrite (includes skate rental). Walk-ups subject to availability.

As always, Midsommarfest will celebrate Andersonville’s Swedish culture and history. The Swedish Stage at Clark & Farragut will feature traditional Swedish activities throughout the weekend, including a dance around the Maypole. The Swedish American Museum will serve delicious Swedish cuisine and offer free admission during the festival.

Admission to the Midsommarfest is a $10 suggested donation. Single tickets and a variety of weekend packages can be purchased in advance at andersonville.org/events/midsommarfest. Proceeds from admission and beer sales benefit the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, along with several local non-profit organizations including Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Bowmanville Community Organization, Care For Real, Equality Illinois, Friends of Andersonville, Friends of Chappel, Friends of Peirce, Helix Education, Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles, Windy City Performing Arts, local block clubs and more. Historically, Andersonville has donated back more than $180,000 to these participating organizations. Festivalgoers can also pick up a complimentary new copy of the 2022-23 Andersonville Neighborhood Guide at the Andersonville Chamber Booth located at Berwyn and Clark.

The Full Midsommarfest Entertainment Line-Up:

Friday, June 9

NORTH STAGE (Clark & Catalpa)

5;00 pm Beats y Bateria

6:00 pm DJC

8:00 pm Rod and the Bench Press

CENTER STAGE (at Berwyn)

5:00 pm Things That Fly – new!

6:30 pm The Clean Plate Club – new!

8:00 pm Nora O'Connor – new!

SWEDISH STAGE (Clark & Farragut)

6:00 pm ABBA Karaoke

8:00 pm JC Brooks

BALMORAL PRIDE STAGE (at Balmoral west of Clark)

5:00 pm Drag Queen Story Time with Merriam Lefkovitz

5:30 pm Gabe Guthrie & The Galactic Ghouls – new!

7:00 pm August Hotel – new!

8:00 pm Replay Presents The Heist Drag Show

9:00 pm DJ Martin

SUMMERDALE STAGE (Clark & Summerdale)

5:00 pm Chicago Therapy Collective hosted talent

7:00 pm Chicago Therapy Collective hosted talent

9:00 pm Ariana DJ – new!

Saturday, June 10

NORTH STAGE (Clark & Catalpa)

1:00 pm GUS Giordano Dance School

2:00 pm Second City Outlaws

2:30 pm Mama Dig’s Brass Band

4:00 pm Chicago Spirit Brigade

4:30 pm The Handcuffs

6:00 pm Mama Sam and Jam – new!

7:00 pm Professor Pinkerton’s Irrelevant Orchestra – new!

8:00 pm Chicago Soul Spectacular

CENTER STAGE (at Berwyn)

1:00 pm Lakeside Pride Latin Band

2:30 pm Windy City Cheer

3:00 pm 3 Martini Jeannie

4:00 pm Windy City Performing Arts

5:00 pm Neptune's Core

6:30 pm Justice Hill & Nightime Love

8:30 pm MIIRRORS

SWEDISH STAGE (Clark & Farragut)

12:00 pm Festival Kick-Off (Maypole Dance)

1:00 pm Swedish Jamboree

2:00 pm Hodie Snitch

4:00 pm Love In October

8 pm Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute

BALMORAL PRIDE STAGE (at Balmoral west of Clark)

12:00 pm Making Art Your Opportunity – new!

2:00 pm Caitlin Simone featuring Lloyd Snyder

3:30 pm Piano Karaoke with Alex Newkirk

5:00 pm Pride Drag Show

6:00 pm Bev Rage & The Drinks

7:30 pm Panic Priest

8:30 pm Live DJ Set by Scary Lady Sarah & Philly Peroxide

SUMMERDALE STAGE (Clark & Summerdale)

12:00 pm American Eagle Productions

1:00 pm School of Rock Andersonville

3:00 pm Kung Lao and the Scorpions

4:00 pm Drag Queen Story Time with Merriam Lefkovitz

4:30 pm Rosalba Valdez

6:00 pm Phillip Michael Scales

7:30 pm Ivana Tequila Ruiz, Jerika Thique, Giselle Brooks and Chifaguette – new!

8:30 pm Special Guest (to be announced!)

URBAN PRIDE STAGE (Clark & Rascher)

12:00 pm DJ Tuff N’ Such

1:30 pm QUINN

3:00 pm Ameer The DJ

4:30 pm Ariel Zetina

6:00 pm King Inesse

7:30 pm Trikone & Bollywood Chicago Presents The Kama Sutra Of Drag, Bon Abhijeet, Masala Saphire & The Salamander

8:30 pm A Crash Course on Bollywood and Bhangra Dancing By Naach Chicago

9:00 pm Bollywood & Beyond DJ Set By Ariana DJ & Live Dhol Players

Sunday, June 11

NORTH STAGE (Clark & Catalpa)

9:00 am Yoga with Be Yoga Andersonville

1:00 pm Chicago Gay Men's Chorus

2:00 pm Second City Outlaws

2:30 pm Dance Loud

3:30 pm Chicago Spirit Brigade

4:00 pm She's Crafty

6:00 pm Too Much Molly

7:30 pm DJ Dan Luna

8:00 pm Sixteen Candles

CENTER STAGE (at Berwyn)

12:30 pm Firebrand

1:00 pm Al Rose

2:30 pm Windy City Cheer

3:00 pm Tears Dry on Their Own

5:00 pm Indré – new!

7:00 pm Tukkiman – new!

8:30 pm Sam Thousand & the Soul Vortex

SWEDISH STAGE (Clark & Farragut)

12:00 pm Miss Foozie’s Pet Parade

1:00 pm The Jesse White Tumblers

1:30 pm Nikki O'Neill

3:00 pm Crocodile Rockstar

5:00 pm Moose The DJ

7:00 pm Lynne Jordan & The Shivers

9:00 pm Cosmic Jaywalkers

BALMORAL PRIDE STAGE (at Balmoral west of Clark)

12:00 pm Disney Drag Show

2:00 pm Sam Fazio

3:00 pm Hawt Chicken – new!

6:00 pm Replay Presents Draglicious Drag Revue

8 pm DJ JANKY

SUMMERDALE STAGE (Clark & Summerdale)

12:00 pm Little Miss Ann Band

1:00 pm School of Rock Andersonville

3:00 pm Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats

4:00 pm Drag Queen Story Time with Merriam Lefkovitz

4:30 pm E. Woods – new!

6:00 pm Dreamjacket – new!

8:00 pm Cecy Santana – new!

URBAN PRIDE STAGE (Clark & Rascher)

12:00 pm Erik Fernandez

1:30 pm Faith Betinis

2:00 pm Auntie Heroine

3:00 pm DJ Xtacy

5:00 pm Mo Mami

6:15 pm Evie The Cool

7:30 pm Self-love, body positivity and confidence: a Burlesque dance show by Body Confidence for Queens

8:30 pm DJ Dapper with BCQ & Small World Collective: A Hip Hop Dance Academy

Performances are subject to change.

Vendor Line-Up:

Artisans: AdeOricloset, Atelier Adesso, Backup Plan Candles, Baraka Tonero, Carrie Chaffee Art, Casa dell'Unknown, Chicago Dog Co., Crescent Moon Henna, Crystalline Studios, Dala Ceramics, David Jay Collins, Earth Cadets, Edgar Solorzano Art, Edgewater Candles, Jade Iguana, JANVIER, Kindred Woodworks, LivesofOthers, Locked And Layered, Macramentadas, Mi Madre Lo Hizo, Mistura Woodcoholics, Mixtape Your Life, Molly Costello Art & Design, MThreeL, Natalie Santoro Art, Nightjar Studio, Nomadic Ant, oORn, Paper Perennial, Rachel Mars Art, Raw Edge, Relish Brand, Silva Espadas, Six Point Pet, SmushFace Goods, stephXstitch, The Twentieth, Tiger Moth Goods, Tori Grace Outfitters, tynerworks, Wander & Co., WERIEM, Wooden Element and WORKS!

Merchants: Andersonville Galleria, Bosphorus, Bow Wow Lounge, Chicatolia, Cubbington's Cabinet, ENJOY, An Urban General Store, Every Last Detail, Fjällräven, Funflector, Hester, J&L Pogonotrophics, Joycoast, Lilla Barn, Love U Collective, Pasele Senito, PopHaus Collective, Pretty and All Boutique, SOUNDOFF, StellaLily, Swedish American Museum, Sun's Out!, Superficial, Inc, The Eco Flamingo, The Junction, Salty Provisions, Three Tribes, Transit Tees,Tribu Boutique, Urban Pooch and Uvae Wine Bar.

Food Vendors: All Belgium, Blackhawk BBQ & Seafood, Cafe Tola, Churro Factory, Cilantro Authentic Thai Food, Constellation Brands, Downstate Donuts, Fresh Picks, Frios Chicago, Gaby's Funnel Cakes, Genoa Italian, Homebakery, JSpice, La Cebollita #2 Inc, Nectar of the Vine, Nuts To Go, Quang Noodle, Ritual Beverage, Suzie's Fun Foods, Taquira La Cuidad, THEO's Plant-Based, Tito's Handmade Vodka, True Honey Teas and Wake N Bakery.

Non-Profits/Community Leaders: 40th Ward, 48th Ward, Chicago Filmmakers, Chicago Friends School, Chicago Methodist Senior Services, Chicago Pride Bowling League, Chicago Therapy Collective, Chi-Town Squares, Givashirt, Grow Greater Englewood, Howard Brown Health, Human Rights Campaign, Meals on Wheels Chicago, My Block My Hood My City, Peirce Elementary, Senior Helpers, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, State Senator Mike Simmonsand Windy City Performing Arts.

Family Area: American Eagle Productions, Brush Park Gymnasium, CirquesExperience, Cruelty Free You + Me, EKF Martial Arts Family Matters Therapy, Lake Shore Schools, Little Chompers and School of Rock Andersonville.

Health & Wellness: Chiro One, Greenlight Family Services, Mindful Speech, New Aura Club, PXM Fitness and Tokeativty.

Services & others: Chicago Red Stars (Family Area Sponsor), Find A Remodeler, Fresh Picks, GoodVets (Pet Area Sponsor), Green Mountain Energy, Hubbard Radio, Renewal By Anderson and State Farm Insurance.

A dedicated shopping hour for immunocompromised individuals will be held on Sunday, June 11 from 11 am – 12 pm before the festival opens to the general public.

ACC also encourages visitors to shop local during the days of the festival, offering 50% a beverage to patrons who spend $40 or more at local brick and mortar stores and service businesses (restaurants and festival vendors, not included). To redeem, bring a receipt (paper or digital) dated June 9 – 11 to the Chamber tent located at Clark & Berwyn.

ACC will partner with Ritual this year to provide zero-proof cocktails beverage options. WasteNot Compost returns to provide recyclable containers and composting at the festival, continuing ACC’s strong record in sustainability practices.

Midsommarfest is produced by Star Events, a Chicago-based company committed to producing world-class community celebrations. This year’s music is curated by Quiet Pterodactyl and Rattleback Records.

Special thanks to Midsommarfest Sponsors Alamo Shoes, Astound, Atmosphere, The AVE Group, Back Lot Bash,Bramble Theatre Company, Bryn Mawr Jewelry Co, Chicago Red Stars, Chicago Transit Authority, Constellation Brands, Cruelty Free You + Me, David Rosenberg Public Relations, Earth Animal, Evoke Tattoos, Gift of Hope, GoodVets, Great Lakes Clinical Trials, Green Mountain Energy, Hair by Vardan, Honore Storage Lady Gregory's, Lake Shore Schools, Liquid Death, North Side Federal Savings, Orange Shoe Personal Fitness, Rattleback Records, Replay Andersonville & Elixir, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, Ritual Beverage, Swedish American Museum, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Tokeativity, Urban Pooch, Viaplay and West Paw.

For the most up-to-date information on Midsommarfest, visit andersonville.org/events/midsommarfest.

About the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce fosters a vibrant environment in which Andersonville businesses can thrive by attracting a diverse customer base; providing business support services and advocacy; and engaging in business attraction, long-range planning, and economic development.