This summer, a wave of free music festivals and celebrations awaits you in Chicago
Music festivals are the perfect way to kick off summer. Every summer, as you stroll through downtown Chicago and along the lakefront, besides the stunning scenery, your ears are greeted by beautiful melodies — sliding guitar strums, violin performances, and the slightly mellow saxophone echoing in your mind. Revelers sway to the music, dance gracefully, playfully interact, and welcome and celebrate a series of free summer music festivals about to unfold in the Windy City. Music gives this city its unique character and charm. Below, we’ve rounded up a bunch of free summer music festivals and events in Chicago — don’t miss out.
2019Yearly Chicago House Music Festival
Chicago is the birthplace of house music, making it the perfect place to kick off this summer’s exciting lineup of music festivals and celebrations. From5June23to25, this year’s Chicago House Music Festival will return to Millennium Park over Memorial Day weekend, featuring topDJand singers performing live to showcase various styles of house music. The house music craze will sweep through Millennium Park, transforming the entire venue into a non-stop dancing party day and night. No matter your age, you’ll enjoy a feast of house music here.
London-based bandReel People, legendaryDJand producerTony
Humphries,Gene Hunt,Mark
Grusane, andFirst Ladyare among the star performers set to appear, with the event taking place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
5June24, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic will team up with Chicago house music pioneerOrbert DavisThe Chicago Jazz Philharmonic will team up with pioneers of Chicago house musicMarshall Jeffersonto deliver a fascinating blend of jazz and house music. The concert will be held at6:30pm onMarshall Jeffersonin the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, celebrating Chicago’s place in music history. Additionally,Chip Ewill be honored with an award in recognition of their contributions to establishing house music as an independent genre and spreading it globally.
Address: Millennium ParkJay Pritzker Pavilion
Time:Memorial Day Weekend(5June23-25Day)
Ticket price: Free
2019Chicago Blues Festival
As the world’s largest free blues festival,the Chicago Blues Festival has continuously drawn a continuous stream of blues enthusiasts, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience the city’s deep-rooted blues heritage. Spanning three days across five different stages, the event will welcome over50blues fans from around the globe along with specially invited performers to Millennium Park in Chicago. Various blues bands and music masters will take the stage together, creating a unique spectacle in the heart of downtown Chicago. “The Blues Capital of the World” — Chicago — offers this unforgettable chance to immerse yourself in the magic of the blues. Don’t miss out.
This year’s stellar lineup includes: the Grammy Award-winning artist for Best Traditional Blues AlbumBobby
Rush, hailed by Rolling Stone as the “King of the Chitlin’ Circuit” for his stunning live performances and almost frenetic touring schedule,R&Bsinger/songwriter/pianist/blues icon
Latimore, the award-winning legendary soul divaBettye LaVette, the blues bandJimmy Johnson, and special guestRico McFarland, whose presence is sure to bring surprises for guitaristJohnson90’s birthday.
Location: Millennium Park
Time:6month7-9day
Ticket price: Free
2019Chicago Gospel Music Festival
The34th annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival will feature performances by numerous top gospel music groups and artists from across the country. Since its inception, this annual musical celebration has upheld its tradition of showcasing both the classic choir-style gospel music and more contemporary urban gospel that blendship-hopandhousemusic styles.
Location: Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park
Time:5month31day-6month1day
Ticket Price: Free
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2019Chicago SummerDance Festival
Feel like dancing? This summer, from6Month27to8Month24, you can join the fun every weekend at Grant Park and select neighborhood parks, dancing to the music with an enthusiastic crowd. Throughout the event, the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park (Spirit of Music Garden) becomes a vibrant and energetic open-air dance floor right in the heart of the city. Visitors can dance freely to the sounds of up to48different bands andDJvarious musical styles. Professional instructors will be on-site to teach a variety of dance types, including salsa, cha-cha, samba, and even reggae and foxtrot. No need to worry about age or skill level — if you love to dance, come join the Chicago SummerDance Festival and move to the rhythm in the iconic open-air dance space created by acclaimed Chicago artistDan Peterman. It’s totally not awkward, we promise. Grant Park is also a100%fully recycled and eco-friendly park, offering over4900square feet of open space for you to dance the night away.
Address:Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park (Spirit of Music Garden) and other Chicago park locations
Dates:6Month27to-8Month24Day
Ticket Price: Free
2019Chicago Jazz Festival
The Chicago Jazz Festival has long been known for its creatively outstanding performances, drawing massive crowds to Grant Park every year. As the grand finale of Chicago’s summer music scene during Labor Day weekend, the jazz festival is a must for both visitors and local music fans. Though free, the festival consistently delivers high-quality acts, featuring countless talented jazz musicians from the Chicago area and around the world, as well as local and international artists. One of the festival’s missions is to promote all forms of jazz music while inspiring and educating jazz audiences of all ages. Performances take place not only at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center, but also in small bars across the city where you can discover a wide range of jazz styles.
Address: Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Centerand various locations throughout the city
Dates:8Month23to-9Month1Day
Admission: Free
2019Chicago World Music Festival
Since its inception in1999, the Chicago World Music Festival has brought together80performers from over650countries, attracting more than65million attendees to date. This year, musicians from20different nations will present over50world music performances. The shows will take place not only at the Chicago Cultural Center and Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, but also throughout the city—offering plenty of opportunities to discover amazing world music around every corner. During the festival, Chicago, known as the “Summer Music Capital,” will warmly welcome visitors from all over the globe. Music lovers from diverse ethnic backgrounds across the U.S. will come together to experience the essence of world music and the boundless charm of global cultures.
Address: Throughout Chicago
Dates:9–13-29Day
Admission: Free
2019Grant Park Music Festival
The Grant Park Music Festival is an annual series of classical music concerts held in Chicago, with each performance typically lasting about10weeks. Since its launch in1931, this festival is celebrating its85year, marking also theCarlos Kalmaryear under the baton of renowned conductor20. From6/12to8/17, the festival will feature nearly three open-air concerts each week, primarily at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, offering high-quality and diverse musical experiences to both local residents and international visitors.
This year on6/12at6PM30Points,Carlos Kalmarwill perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2, also known as the "Little Russian Symphony," alongside Grammy Award-nominated Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, officially kicking off a series of rich musical feasts.
This year’s festival highlights also include Beethoven’s Missa solemnis, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, an annual patriotic concert celebrating American Independence Day, a classic movie night paying tribute to Broadway and Hollywood featuring The Wizard of Oz, and the fiery collision of Mambo King with passionate Latin music. The festival will also host four world premieres, including a new work by Chicago creatorStacy Garrop.
To learn more2019about the Grant Park Music Festival’s performance schedule, please visit:
http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/events-calendar
Location: Millennium ParkJay Pritzker Pavilion
Time:6Month12Date-8Month17Date
Ticket Price: Free
2019Millennium Park Summer Music Series
The Chicago Millennium Park Summer Music Series will feature a lineup of top domestic and international musicians performing a wide and diverse range of music genres, from up-and-coming rising stars to talented and widely acclaimed established artists. It’s no surprise that the enthralled audience frequently showers the performers with enthusiastic applause and whistles. You can also gather some friends, enjoy dinner on the Great Lawn, and experience a romantic and cozy evening under the spellbinding sounds of free live music.
To learn more2019about the Millennium Park Summer Music Series’ performance schedule, please visit:https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/millennium-park/summer-music-series/
Location: Millennium ParkJay Pritzker Pavilion
Time:6Month13Date-8Month15Date
Ticket Price: Free