Square Roots Festival

Schedule

1. Friday, July 10, 2026 — Friday hours and music: 5-10 p.m.; DEHD, Deeper, The Soul Rebels, Sheryl Youngblood, Starcharm, and RPA Ensemble.
2. Saturday, July 11, 2026 — Saturday hours and music: Noon-10 p.m.; Margo Price, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Robbie Fulks, Grelley Duvall feat. Finom & Aunt Kelly, Chaparelle, Tuvergen Band, and more.
3. Sunday, July 12, 2026 — Sunday hours and music: Noon-9 p.m.; Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, JD McPherson, Sons of the Silent Age, The Tossers, Al Green Tribute feat. Renaldo Domino & Michael Avery, and more.
4. Saturday-Sunday, July 11-12, 2026 — Sunnyside Kids Zone: Noon-6 p.m. at Leavitt and Sunnyside, with Wiggleworms, Little Miss Ann Band, family dance, activities, inflatables, and kids vendors.

What to expect

Square Roots returns July 10-12, 2026 on Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson. The official 2026 page positions it as a real Chicago neighborhood street fest: live music, family programming, local restaurants and vendors, craft beer, cocktails, THC seltzers, non-alcoholic options, and fundraising for Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. The lineup is stronger than a generic block party: Margo Price, DEHD, Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, Hurray for the Riff Raff, JD McPherson, Robbie Fulks, The Soul Rebels, The Tossers, and Old Town School ensembles.

Tickets

Free to enter; a $10 suggested gate donation is listed by Save Our Street Fests and supports Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. Beer, cocktails, food, and market purchases are separate.

Transit

Brown Line to Western is one block south of the fest. The 49 Western and 11 Lincoln buses both stop in front. Driving is rough — Lincoln Square street parking is fest-permit-restricted. Try the Lincoln/Wilson garage or street parking on Leland.

Bag policy

No formal bag check; ID required at all beer pours.

Family-friendly

One of the most kid-friendly mid-summer fests — Old Town School books a real kids' programming track (folk-singer kid sets, dance demos) and the wide Lincoln Ave footprint takes a stroller well. Sunday afternoon is the family sweet spot. Restrooms at the Old Town School building (4544 N. Lincoln) are usually accessible during fest hours.

Local tips

1. VIP craft-beer ticket is worth it if you're a beer person — exclusive pours and shorter lines. Sells out at presale.
2. Lincoln Square's brick-and-mortar restaurants (Bistro Campagne, Gather, Spacca Napoli, Café Selmarie) all run fest weekend specials — eat there rather than at the fest food booths.
3. Old Town School's basement instruments and free concerts continue during the fest — pop in if you've never been.
4. Saturday afternoon is the busiest; Sunday is the calmer family day.
5. The folk/world stages are the underrated programming — the cover-band stages get the crowd but the Old Town School ensembles are why the fest exists.
6. Bring cash for the food booths; beer and merch take cards.
7. Pair with Merz Apothecary, Sip & Savor, and the Lincoln Square gem-shops for an actual neighborhood crawl, not just the fest.

Frequently asked questions

Is Square Roots free?

Yes, it is free to enter. A $10 suggested donation supports Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

What are the 2026 hours?

Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m., and Sunday noon-9 p.m.

Is there a kids area?

Yes. The Sunnyside Kids Zone runs Saturday and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. at Leavitt and Sunnyside.

What is the easiest transit?

The official site points to the CTA Brown Line Western stop; from there, walk into the Lincoln Avenue footprint.