In the summer, Chicago’s downtown and lakefront are filled with the sounds of live music. The city’s iconic festival season brings locals and visitors alike to celebrate Chicago’s musical legacy with a series of free music festivals in Millennium Park each summer. Check out the summer’s biggest free music festivals in Chicago that feature up-and-coming local talent and top touring acts, representing Chicago-born genres like house and musical styles with deep Chicago roots like gospel, blues, and jazz.
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
Celebrating the genre’s deep Chicago roots with traditional choirs and contemporary urban gospel music, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival kicks off the summer festival season on an exuberant note. The line-up features local and national artists in performances in downtown Millennium Park.
Chicago Blues Festival
The Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park is the largest free blues festival in the world. Over four days each June, more than 500,000 blues fans and a lineup of renowned musicians prove that Chicago is indeed the “Blues Capital of the World.” Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, and the late Koko Taylor.
Grant Park Music Festival
Head to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park for the nation’s only free, outdoor classical music series of its kind — the Grant Park Music Festival. The Grammy-nominated Grant Park Orchestra, along with the 100-plus-member Grant Park Chorus and special guest performers and conductors, bring the sounds of Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and more to Millennium Park all summer long. Spread out on the Great Lawn and enjoy.
Chicago House Music Festival and Conference
The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference showcases the various sounds and styles of house music, a Chicago-born genre that has revolutionized dance music internationally. The event brings in nationally recognized artists and homegrown talent, such as Mr. A.L.I., Reel People, Tony Humphries, Gene Hunt, Mark Grusane, and First Lady, plus industry leaders for panels and discussions.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
The Millennium Park Summer Music Series is a schedule of free weekly concerts featruing a wide variety of music from local, national, and international artists at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion. This beloved series showcases artists from across genres, including R&B, house, disco, jazz, pop, country, alternative, and world music. Pack a picnic, grab a spot on the lawn, and enjoy free music under the stars.
Chicago Jazz Festival
The longest-running of the city’s lakefront music festivals, the Chicago Jazz Festival brings live jazz music to Millennium Park. Known for its artistic creativity, the Labor Day weekend festival promotes awareness and appreciation for all forms of jazz through free live musical performances at two stunning downtown venues: the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park.
World Music Festival
The annual World Music Festival Chicago in September brings live music from all over the globe to Chicago for this popular multi-day festival. The city-wide, multi-venue celebration features over 30 artists from 22 countries at venues around Chicago including the Chicago Cultural Center and city parks.
