Skokie’s Backlot Bash

Having quickly earned a reputation for quality, original live music, as well as a host of unique family attractions — Skokie’s downtown summer street festival is held annually over three days in late August, one week prior to Labor Day weekend. Since its inception in 2007, Skokie’s Backlot Bash has presented international eclectic Rock, Blues and R&B artists, including The Psychedelic Furs, Presidents of the United States of America, Lonnie Brooks, Living Colour, The Fixx, The English Beat, War, The Romantics, Cracker, Fastball, The Smithereens, Marshall Crenshaw, Spin Doctors, Blue Oyster Cult and Smoking Popes.

See Backlot Bash music history here.

The Bash also hosts a large carnival midway, a 5K Run, a children’s stage, kid’s activities, classic films, an auto show, bingo, a sponsor and community resource fair, exhibits at the Skokie Heritage Museum, a Sunday pancake breakfast and farmer’s market, and much more.