Carnival | St. Helen Chicago

A Community Tradition

For 20 years, the St. Helen Carnival has marked the unofficial start of fall and a new school year in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village — four unforgettable days filled with flashing lights, music, laughter, neighborhood traditions, and memories that span generations.

What began as a simple community fundraiser has become a beloved annual tradition where old friends reunite, kids race toward the rides with tickets in hand, grandparents share stories of carnivals past, and the sounds of summer fill the parish grounds long after the sun goes down.

Hosted in the heart of the neighborhood, the St. Helen Carnival continues to bring together families, alumni, neighbors, and friends for great food, cold drinks, music and entertainment, and the kind of community spirit that only grows stronger with time.

As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we honor the countless volunteers, families, and supporters who have helped make this event such a special part of the Chicago community.

Our community event is free and open to the public, and every food, beverage, and Mega Pass purchase directly supports the students of St. Helen School, helping us continue to provide an excellent and accessible education for families of all backgrounds.

Whether you’ve been coming for twenty years or this will be your very first Carnival, we invite you to make new memories, relive old ones, and celebrate this milestone year with us.

Can't make it to the big festivities but want to support St. Helen School? Consider making a donation.

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Four Days of Family Fun

Carnival Rides

Fun for the Whole Family

Thursday & Friday

September 24-25, 2026

Kick Off the Weekend

The lights come on Thursday night with music, cold drinks, carnival rides, and the energy that starts it all. Friday night kicks off a full weekend of fun!

Beer garden & food favorites

Carnival rides all evening

Music under the lights

Opening night energy

Carnival Gates Open at 5pm

Saturday

September 26, 2026

The Main

Event

Saturday brings the biggest crowds, the loudest singalongs, and a full day of carnival fun. Bring the family and stay for an entire day of fun with a Mega Pass!

All-day entertainment

Kids tent & family activites

Delicious food & beverages

Summer festival atmosphere

Carnival Gates Open at 12pm

Sunday

September 27, 2026

End on a

High Note

Close out Carnival weekend with family fun, music, and one last end-of-summer celebration together. Enjoy the addition of delicious Polish food in the beer garden as we celebrate our community heritage.

Community atmosphere

Relaxed afternoon music

Last chance for rides & games

Closing night celebration

Carnival Gates Open at 12pm