Third Annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival The A.V. Club welcomes headliners Tracy Morgan and Sarah Silverman to town for its third annual comedy festival. Other performers include Reggie Watts, Jenny Slate, and Chris Gethard. Wed 6/1-Sun 6/5, various locations, 26comedy.com, $10-$72.50.
Pride Fest A warm-up for the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26, this Boystown takeover kicks off with a Pet Pride Parade, local street vendors, and three stages of music with performances by Dumblonde, Daya, and Jordin Sparks. Sat 6/18-Sun 6/19: 10 AM-10 PM, Halsted between Grace and Addison, northalsted.com, $10 suggested donation
Chicago Hot Sauce Fest For those who like things hot, this festival fires up pepper-eating and sauce contests, and vendors serve their spiciest sauces to only the most daring participants. Sat 7/23-Sun 7/24: noon, Belmont and Elston, chicagohotsaucefest.com, $5 suggested donation.
Festa Italiana The four-day festival focuses on Italian fare, and takes place in the heart of Little Italy. There’s live music, a meatball-eating contest, and a dance ensemble performing and teaching the tarantella. 8/18-8/21: Thu-Fri 5-10 PM, Sat noon-11 PM, Sun noon-10 PM, Taylor between Ashland and Racine, starevents.com, $5 suggested donation.
West Town Hoedown A new street festival featuring an oyster-shucking contest, a shrimp boil, pie-eating contests, and live music. Sat 8/27-Sun 8/28: 11 AM-10 PM, Milwaukee between Division and Noble, $5 suggested donation. v
