Wells Street Art Festival

How it was

This year's edition is over — the lineup, schedule, and notes below are kept as the record of 2026.

What to expect

51st edition, running same weekend as Old Town Art Fair (June 13–14, 2026) one block away on Wells Street between North Avenue and Division. 130 juried artists, food from Old Town's restaurant row, two music stages with regional rock/blues acts, family art activities. Bigger and louder than Old Town Art Fair (which is more curatorially focused) — pair them. Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Transit

Brown/Purple Line to Sedgwick is two blocks west. The 22 Clark, 156 LaSalle, and 36 Broadway buses all stop within walking distance. Driving difficult; pair with the Old Town Art Fair parking strategy (Lincoln Park Zoo lots or Piper's Alley).

Bag policy

No formal bag check; visual at gates. ID required at beer/wine tents.

Family-friendly

Family art activities are programmed throughout. Stroller-workable but Wells gets denser than Old Town's residential streets — Saturday afternoon is a tight squeeze. Sunday morning before noon is the family sweet spot. Restrooms via porta-johns; nicer ones at the food court area.

Local tips

1. Hit Old Town Art Fair at 10 a.m. opening, then drift over to Wells Street by 1 p.m. when its music stages kick in — that's the locals' double-fest move.
2. Wells Street's restaurant booths (Topo Gigio plus rotating Old Town operators — Adobo Grill moved to North Ave a few years back) are noticeably better than typical fest food.
3. Saturday night 7–10 p.m. has the better music programming; bring earplugs if you stick around.
4. Sunday afternoon is the slowest day — best for buying art and chatting up artists.
5. Wells Street has more dive-bar overflow energy than Old Town's quieter side; calibrate your group accordingly.
6. The vintage-style merchandise booths near North Ave are usually the sleeper finds.
7. Don't bother with both fests in 4 hours — give it 6 minimum or pick one.