Cost: Free

Organizer: City of Chicago/57th St. Children's Book Fair Committee

What to expect: Kicking off with a parade full of storybook characters, this fest features a street full of thousands of books and educational displays. Watch out for live entertainment and author readings, too.

Why to go: Hyde Park's got a lot of stories, and you don't want to miss out (especially when you get the chance to see neighborhood residents dressed in kid-friendly costumes). If nothing else, you can make that trip to Powell's Bookstore you've been putting off.

Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein