This is the kind of fest weekend Chicago loves. Maifest, Do-Division, Lincoln Avenue Live and more bring a little something for everyone, from pretzels and PBR to bands and boutiques. 'Hoods are well represented too, with parties going on in Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village and the South Loop, to name just a few. There's enough art, live music, sausage and beer to fill a whole weekend, and with some judicious planning, you might even be able to hit up two or three fests-just stay hydrated. kbernot@tribune.com @redeyeatdrink
Do-Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale
Where: Division Street between Ashland Avenue and Leavitt Street (sidewalk sale) and Division Street between Damen Avenue and Leavitt Street (festival)
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: A $5 suggested donation for the festival portion; Sidewalk sale is free
Don't miss: Local music is the main attraction on this hip strip that divides Wicker Park from Ukrainian Village. I'd bookmark Disappears (Friday, 8:30 p.m.), Archie Powell & The Exports (Saturday, 6:15 p.m.) and Bailiff (Sunday, 7:30 p.m.) New this year is Do-Fashion, a fest-within-a-fest featuring pop-up sales and runway shows from area boutiques such as Le Dress, Trillium and Beadniks. And because Coors, Leinenkugel's, The Boundary, SmallBar and Smoke Daddy all are sponsors of the fest, your beer and barbecue needs won't go unmet.
Mini-detours: There are plenty of popular bars and restaurants along Division Street, but hop just a few blocks off the beaten path to check out some of West Town's most charming dives, such as Happy Village (1059 N. Wolcott Ave.), The Inner Town Pub (1935 W. Thomas St.) and Club Foot (1824 W. Augusta Boulevard).
Maifest Chicago
Where: Lincoln Square, 4700 N. Lincoln Ave. (at Leland Avenue)
When: 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday
How much: Free to attend
Don't miss: Just like everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, we all can claim a little bit of German heritage at Maifest. Mostly, that means drinking from plastic steins of Hofbrau beer, snacking on huge pretzels and leberkase (Bavarian meatloaf) and saying "Prost!" a lot. If for some reason you have a dirndl or German soccer jersey in your closet, this is the time to dust it off.
Mini-detours: Though Rainbow Cuisine (4825 N. Western Ave.) isn't a new restaurant, there's been lots of recent buzz from hard-core Thai food fans for its Thai-language menu, which contains more authentic-and spicier-dishes than the main menu. Nearby Isla Pilipina (2501 W. Lawrence Ave.) is an excellent bet for Filipino food such as fried chicken with banana ketchup.
Lincoln Avenue Live
Where: Lincoln Avenue between Belden and Webster streets
When: Noon-9:30 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: One stage offers up live music from cover band favorites 16 Candles (6:50 p.m. Sunday) and Wedding Banned (8:30 p.m. Saturday), while a second stage is devoted to DJ acts. Local food and drinks are the focus, with coming-soon-to-Chicago brewery Lagunitas supplying the beers for sale and Moe's Cantina mixing up sangria.
Mini-detours: You're not going to be the only person looking to dig into one of the city's favorite burgers-or one of the glorious Nutella milkshakes-at Edzo's Burger Shop (2218 N. Lincoln Ave.), so consider arriving close to the shop's 10:30 a.m. opening time. If pizza speaks to you, grab a to-go East Coast-style slice from Armitage Pizzeria (711 W. Armitage Ave.).
Where: Michigan Avenue at Lake Street, just north of Millennium Park
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: Free to attend
Don't miss: Artwork including sculpture, painting and jewelry from more than 130 artists will be on display in booths, and live music and fest food for sale also are also in the plans.
Where: Intersection of Dearborn and Polk streets
When: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: Collections from labels such as Barbara Bates, J. Toor and E. Kaye Collection will strut down a 100-foot runway, while bands and DJs provide the music as you check out fashion from local boutiques and designers.
Where: 57th Street between Kenwood and Kimbark avenues
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
How much: Free to attend
Don't miss: More than 200 artists exhibit their paintings, sculpture, photography and jewelry along this Hyde Park street. Food will be available for purchase, but note that the entire event is alcohol-free.
Upcoming Fests: June 6-9: Chicago Blues Fest (Loop), June 7-9: Ribfest Chicago (North Center), June 7-9: Midsommarfest (Andersonville), June 8-9: Bellwether Chicago (West Town), June 8-9: Printers Row Lit Festival (Loop), June 8-9: Old Town Art Fair (Old Town), June 8-9: Wells Street Art Festival (Old Town)
See the full summer fest calendar here.