South Shore Summer Festival Preview

From carnivals and cultural celebrations to art fairs and an air show, cities and towns across the South Shore come alive in the summer with tons of festivals. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store—so you can start planning your ultimate summer of fun!

June 2026 Festivals

Small-Town Charm, Big-Time Fun

In June, hometown festivals are what it’s all about! Most of the fests include live music, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and beer gardens, but they each have their own twist! 

Kicking off the summer during the last weekend in May is the Corn Roast, May 29-30 at Bulldog Park in Crown Point, with a corn hole tournament and corn-eating contest. Schererville Fest, June 10-14 at Redar Park, features a themed parade on Saturday evening during the fest, and they also host bingo and carnival rides and games. Dyer Summer Fest, June 11-14 at Central Park, has a carnival too, along with a fireworks night.

At Festival Park June 4-7 is Hobart Lakefront Festival, with children’s activities, plus their popular Dam Duck Tape and Cardboard Boat Race and Dam Duck Race on Sunday. Live in the ‘Ville, June 12-13 on Kennedy Ave. in the Hessville neighborhood of Hammond, brings in entertainers for their fest. In the past, they’ve had live wrestling, fire performers and street magic.

Rhythm & Soul Fest – A Juneteenth Celebration, June 20 in East Chicago’s Washington Park, will have you dancing with soulful live music. Region Eats Food Fest, June 27 at Centennial Park in Munster, is all about the food with more than 15 vendors featuring all your favorites - tacos, burgers, elephant ears, ice cream and more. 

New in 2026 is the Sand + Steel Art Fest at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso, June 26-28, featuring the South Shore Orchestra, fine art vendors, performing arts and interactive art experiences.
 

July 2026 Festivals

Music, Culture and Serious Summer Vibes

The heat of July brings some of the big summer events as well as a mix of cultural, food and drink fests!

Circling the 4th of July holiday, Cedar Lake Summerfest, July 2-5, at the Cedar Lake Town Complex has all kinds of interactive contests and events. Compete with friends in the cornhole tournament, bring in your vintage vehicle for the car show, show off your skills at the talent show or build a cardboard boat to race.

Festival of the Lakes, July 15-19 at Wolf Lake Pavilion in Hammond, always has big-name entertainment. The 2026 fest will host Jelly Roll, The Offspring, Bando El Recodo and more!

Get moving to the music at Decades Music Fest - a Celebration of Generations, July 11 at Centennial Park in Munster or Salsa in the Park, July 18 in East Chicago’s Washington Park. At the Taste of Crown Point, July 17-18 at Bulldog Park, sample cuisine from local restaurants while listening to live music. Enjoy a summer evening of wine tasting at the Valparaiso Wine Festival, July 18 in Central Park Plaza.

Celebrate Italian spirit and culture at Festa Italiana, July 17-19 at Villa Cesare in Schererville with delicious food, bocce ball, grape stomping contests and more. Pierogi Fest®, July 24-26 in downtown Whiting, has been featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel. Watch the wacky Friday night parade featuring babushka-clad grandmothers and the lawnmower brigade, or participate in the pierogi toss after filling up at all the food vendors.

Watch high-speed offshore boats race in the Great Lakes Grand Prix, July 27-August 2 at Washington Park in Michigan City. They will also have live entertainment, family activities, food vendors and drinks.
 

August 2026 Festivals

Arts, Culture and End-of-Summer Energy

August 1-2, FUSIC Fest fuses food, fun, fireworks and music at Jeorse Park Beach in East Chicago. Explore all the midway fun at the Lake County Fair, August 7-16 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. 

Get in touch with your creative side at the Chesterton Art Fair, August 1-2 at Dogwood Park, or Lubeznik Arts Festival, August 15-16 at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City. Browse the works of local artists, participate in family art activities, visit the food vendors and more.

Scour 200 acres on a Leprechaun Hunt​, August 2 at Camp Sharing Meadows in La Porte, to win prizes at an Irish-themed festival. For more cultural fun, head to Touch of Dutch Festival, August 8 at Spencer Park in Demotte for a car show, crafters, fireworks, kids’ activities and music.

Come see aerial acts perform along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline during Gary Air Show Weekend, August 21-23 at Marquette Park. The 2026 event will include a Friday night performance, including a drone show!

Spend a day of family fun in the park at Kielbasa Fest, August 22 at Kosciuszko Park in East Chicago with Polish entertainment, food vendors and beer garden. Enjoy an evening of music and craft vendors, along with food from local restaurants and craft beer at Rockopelli Music Festival at Bulldog Park in Crown Point on August 22.

Close out the summer with the Lowell Labor Day Festival, September 5-7 at the American Legion Grounds in Lowell for three days of family fun!
 

It’s going to be an amazing summer full of festivals along Lake Michigan’s South Shore, so start marking your calendar! Find even more events all summer long on our summer events page.