Lakeview East Festival of the Arts
Lakeview East's 20th-anniversary art festival returns Sept. 19-20 with 150+ juried artists, live demos, two music stages, local cuisine, kids activities, and Broadway closed from Belmont to Hawthorne.
- Dates: September 19–20, 2026
- Where: Broadway from Belmont Ave to Hawthorne Pl
- Neighborhood: Lakeview East
- Cost: Free
Schedule
- Sept. 19 — Saturday: Festival of the Arts 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; live music until 10 p.m.
- Sept. 20 — Sunday: Festival of the Arts 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; live music into the night.
What to expect
19th annual juried art festival on Broadway between Belmont and Diversey, September 19–20, 2026, Saturday from 11 a.m. and Sunday until 7 p.m. 150+ juried artists across paintings, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry, ceramics. Live art demonstrations, music, family-friendly activities. 2026 features the Chavez-Ruiz family — Rosa Chavez's sailboats, Leon F. Ruiz's urban scapes, Esmeralda Ruiz's fashion-inspired pieces. Curated and run by the Lakeview East Chamber.
Tickets
Free admission. The official page does not list a gate ticket or donation requirement. Art, food, drinks, and vendor purchases are separate.
Transit
Red Line to Belmont or Brown to Wellington is a 5-minute walk. The 36 Broadway, 22 Clark, and 77 Belmont buses all serve the area. Driving in Lakeview East is rough — permit-only side streets, Cubs game spillover. Try parking near Diversey and walking south.
Bag policy
No formal bag check; visual at gates.
Family-friendly
Genuinely family-friendly. Lakeview East has lots of young families and the fest reflects that — family activities programmed throughout, art demos engage kids, and the Broadway corridor is wide-sidewalk stroller-friendly. Pair with the Lakeview East playgrounds and the fairly close-by Lincoln Park Zoo (free, 15-minute walk south). Restrooms via porta-johns.
Local tips
- Saturday morning is best for talking with artists before the Broadway crowd thickens.
- Sunday afternoon is the calmer buyer window if you want a real conversation about a piece.
- This is a stronger art fair than its nightlife-adjacent location might suggest; budget time for booths, not just food and music.
- Use Belmont or Wellington CTA and walk. Parking around Broadway/Belmont becomes wishful thinking.
- Pair the fair with a lakefront or Belmont Harbor walk if the weather behaves.
Frequently asked questions
When is Lakeview East Festival of the Arts 2026?
Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026.
What are the hours?
Art fair hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. both days. Live music continues later, with Saturday listed until 10 p.m. and Sunday into the night.
Where exactly is it?
Along Broadway from Belmont Avenue to Hawthorne Place in Lakeview East.
Is it free?
Yes. The official page does not list a required gate ticket.
How many artists are featured?
The official page says more than 150 juried artists across painting, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry, and more.