blockapalooza
blockapalooza.org
The official website of the North Park Avenue Block Party
August 8th, 2026

2026 North Park Avenue
Block Party

OLD TOWN CHICAGO
How It Started

Bringing neighbors and friends together

Started in 2022 by four North Park neighbors with smokers and a simple idea: close the street, feed the block, and get to know everyone who lives on it — and everyone who shows up here every day.

Every year we get the street officially closed with approval from Alderman Hopkins' office — so from 2pm to 10pm, North Park Ave is ours. Bring food or drinks you want to share with your neighbors, stay as long as you like. Dogs are welcome, tailgate games are encouraged, and we aim to have a bounce house running for the kids.

This isn't just for the people who live on the street. If someone's part of how this block actually runs day to day, consider inviting them to this event.

The sign-up sheet on this site helps us see what's coming and keeps things from getting too doubled up — the more people bring, the better the spread.

We try to schedule this on or around Lollapalooza weekend every year — easy to remember, gives the block a routine to plan around, and that's exactly why this website exists. And yes, that's also why we chose this arguably questionable color scheme — consider it Lollapalooza-flavored.

2022First N. North Park Ave inaugural block party — May 21, 2022
8 HRSStreet closure, 2PM–10PM
1Block, fully ours for the day
LOLLA WEEKENDOn or around Lollapalooza weekend, every year
The Day

Event Schedule

Saturday, August 8, 2026 — here's the current run of show.

2:00 PM

Street closes & setup begins

Barricades go up, tables and chairs come out — North Park Ave is ours until 10pm.

4:00 PM

Party officially starts

The spirit is bring-a-dish to a BBQ.

Afternoon

Bounce house & water slide (hopefully!)

Past years have had one for the kids — fingers crossed it's back this year.

Afternoon

Music playing

Bring a chair — the whole street is the venue.

10:00 PM

Official wrap-up

Street reopens to traffic.

10:00 PM+

Afterparty?!

This is the part where you find out who your real neighbors are.

Potluck & Volunteer Sheet

Let Us Know If You'll Be Attending

This list updates live for the whole block — check it before you sign up so we don't end up with twelve bags of chips and no dessert.

Where to Find Us

The 1500 Block of N. North Park Ave

The party runs along North Park Avenue, between
1511 & 1531 N North Park Ave
What's Next

Coming to This Site

We're just getting started. Here's what's on the roadmap for Blockapalooza.org.

🏘️

Meet the Block

A password-protected neighbor directory — name, house number, pets, a fun fact. Put a face to the house next door.

📸

Photo Gallery

A shared album that builds year over year — drop in your photos from the party and browse everyone else's.

💡

Block Party Wishlist

Got an idea for next year? A dunk tank, a band, a kids' activity? Propose it, let neighbors vote it up.