Andersonville Midsommarfest returns for its 57th year this weekend

One of Chicago’s oldest and most beloved summer street festivals kicks off a busy and fun-filled summer this weekend. 

Now in its 57th year, Andersonville Midsommarfest kicks off Friday from 5 - 10 p.m. on Clark Street from Foster Ave. north to Gregory Street and continues Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 10 p.m. 

Midsommarfest will feature five stages of live music and entertainment, including the Balmoral Pride Stage sponsored by Replay Andersonville, Elixir Andersonville, and Evoke Tattoos. 

Located at the corner of Clark Street and Balmoral, The Pride Stage will feature Drag Queen Story Time with Merriam Lefkovitz, entertainment from Gabe Guthrie & The Galactic Ghouls, August Hotel, and Bev Rage & The Drinks, plus drag performances and a lineup of DJs.

New this year is Roller Skating at Midsommarfest in the parking lot at Cheetah Gym, 5248 N. Clark, happening Friday from 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 2 - 10 p.m. Advance tickets are available online. Walk-ups will be subject to availability.

Also new is the Urban Pride Stage located at Clark Street and Rascher. It will feature an eclectic lineup of music and dance from hip-hop and house to Latin and Bollywood.

The Chicago Therapy Collective returns for its second annual Midsommarfest Trans Stage Takeover. This year's theme, Drag is Not a Crime, will respond to the political attempts to harm the trans and gender non-conforming community. Hosted by Lucy Stoole, the family-friendly program will take place Friday from 4 - 9 p.m. on the Summerdale Stage located at Clark Street and Summerdale. 

New entertainment acts and returning favorites included JC Brooks, Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press, Chicago Soul Spectacular, Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute,  Cecy Santana, Cosmic Jaywalkers, and Sixteen Candles. 

Chicago favorite Miss Foozie will host at Pet Parade on Sunday starting at noon from the Swedish Stage located at Clark Street and Farragut.

And keep an eye out for Stew Jamesson from Stewpendous Productions on Friday from 6 - 8 p.m., Saturday from 3 - 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 - 3 p.m. Stew will test your pop-culture knowledge and offer prizes from neighborhood businesses. 

Presented by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, Midsommarfest is expected to draw nearly 80,000 people to the diverse northside neighborhood in celebration of a Swedish summer tradition.

The fest includes a $10 suggested donation. Proceeds from admission and beer sales benefit the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, along with several local non-profit organizations. 

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

6:30 pm The Clean Plate Club

8:00 pm Nora O'Connor

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

7:00 pm August Hotel

8:00 pm Replay Presents The Heist Drag Show

10:00 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

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

7:00 pm Professor Pinkerton’s Irrelevant Orchestra

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

6 pm Planet Claire

8 pm Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute

BALMORAL PRIDE STAGE (at Balmoral west of Clark)

12:00 pm Making Art Your Opportunity

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

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

8:30 pm Sizzy Rocket

URBAN PRIDE STAGE (Clark & Rascher)

12:00 pm DJ Tuff N’ Such

1:30 pm DJ QUINN

3:00 pm Ameer The DJ

4:30 pm Ariel Zetina

6:00 pm King Inesse

7:30 pm A Bollywood Drag Show by Masala Saphire, Markiki Jones & Lal Batti

8:30 pm Bollywood Dance Workshop presented 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

7:00 pm Tukkiman

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

6:00 pm Replay Presents Draglicious Drag Revue

8:00 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

6:00 pm Jerason Dean

8:00 pm Cecy Santana

URBAN PRIDE STAGE (Clark & Rascher)

12:00 pm DJ Makeen hosted by Auntie Heroine

1:30 pm DJ Faith Betinis hosted by Auntie Heroine

3:00 pm DJ Xtacy

4:00 pm Trans Media Fashion Show by Fashion Bar Chicago with Vibes By DJ Feen & B.Blyss 

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 & BCQ: A Hip Hop Dance Academy