Wells Street Art Festival

Name: Wells Street Art Festival
Start: 2025-06-14T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-15T23:59:59-05:00
Location: On Wells St. between North Ave. and Division

Details

Sat, June 14, 2025 | 10:00am-10:00pm

Sun, June 15, 2025 | 10:00am-9:00pm

1400 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL

Overview

🎨 Celebrate 50 Years of Creativity at the Wells Street Art Festival! 🎭

Art lovers, get ready for an unforgettable weekend of inspiration and imagination as the Wells Street Art Festival marks its 50th anniversary in Chicago’s historic Old Town neighborhood! This early summer showcase, held along the iconic Wells Street between North Avenue and Division, is a treasure trove of artistry, culture, and community.

🌟 Festival Highlights:
🎨 175+ Juried Artists – Discover an incredible array of works from talented artists across the region and the nation.
🍽️ Eclectic Cuisine – Savor delicious bites from Old Town’s best restaurants and food vendors.
🎶 Live Music & Entertainment – Enjoy a dynamic lineup of stage performances to set the perfect festival vibe.
🎨 Kids’ Art Activities – Spark creativity in the next generation with hands-on artistic fun.

💖 Supporting the Community: Festival proceeds benefit the Old Town Merchants & Residents Association, helping to support vital programs and services in this historic neighborhood.

🌞 Art. Music. Food. Community. Celebrate half a century of creativity at one of Chicago’s most beloved art festivals!

For updated information on this year’s Wells Street Art Festival, including schedule, music lineups, vendors, and directions, see below.

Saturday
Noon – School of Rock Chicago
1:30 p.m. – Jesse White Tumblers
2:00 p.m. – SuperCreeps: The Music of David Bowie
4:00 p.m. – ‘Stache!
6:00 p.m. – Trippin Billies
8:00 p.m. – Sixteen Candles

Sunday
1:00 p.m. – The Reception
3:00 p.m. – The Strangers: A Tribute To The Cure
5:00 p.m. – iPop
7:15 p.m. – Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press

Coming soon!

The Old Town Merchants & Residents Association, sponsor of Wells Street Art Festival, has its origins as the Old Town Chamber of Commerce which was founded in 1971. It later changed its name to OTMRA. In addition to holding its annual art fest, the group serves as the voice of the Old Town community in addressing commercial and residential development, zoning, neighborhood beautification, community safety and city services. It also oversees assorted marketing and public relations initiatives to promote both the neighborhood and its businesses. For more visit oldtownchicago.org.

Looking to connect with active consumers at this event? For pricing and a customized benefits package, please contact Karyn Terrones at [email protected] or 773-584-6625.

Application

Application Deadline: January 19th, 2025

Event Dates: June 14th and 15th, 2025

The Wells Street Arts Festival is celebrating its 50th year in 2025!
The Wells Street Arts Festival in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood has a rich and vibrant history. It is one of the most prestigious Arts Fairs in the US and continuously ranked in Sunshine Artist’s Top 100 Fine Arts Fairs. This juried event features the work of 200 national exhibitors and is attended by more than 40,000 art enthusiasts.

2025 CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Wells Street Art Festival is pleased to announce an open call for entries for the 50th Annual Wells Street Art Festival, June 14th and 15th, 2025 located in Chicago’s Old Town.

Note: The online application only accepts payments by credit card. Checks will not be accepted for application, jury process, or booth space payment.

IMPORTANT DATES

APPLICATIONS DEADLINE: January 19th, 2025: Online applications must be received by midnight CST.

*Paper applications will not be accepted for the 2025 Art Festival

JURY SESSION: Week of January 20th, 2025

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATIONS: For the week of February 5th, 2025, Acceptance Notifications are sent out via email only.

Please remember that you are not confirmed into the event unless you have paid for your booth fees and your status shows “Confirmed”. CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

*If the event is canceled by either the city or state and you have been accepted in the 2025 event, you can either request a booth refund or defer your payment to the 2026 event, with automatic acceptance.

Week of June 2nd, 2025: Load-in location and times, as well as other information, will be sent out to all confirmed artists. Phone calls will not be made.

April 20th, 2025: Deadline to cancel and receive 50% refund (less $30 non-refundable application -Jury fee)

June 14th, 2025: Artist Load in between 4:00 am – 7:00 am

June 14th & 15th, 2025: 50th Annual Wells Street Art Festival