Year-round, Chicago has numerous city festivals, activities, and events in Grant Park. Summertime is no different. The summer schedule is packed with so many events. Many of the events are free to uphold the post-Depression promise from the City of Chicago to provide free uplifting and cultural performances to the people.
Downtown Chicago experiences many warm and humid days during the summer. It’s beautiful hot weather to be outside. So bring your hat, sunglasses, and put on sunscreen so you can delight in the events without getting sunburned.
These are some of the popular festivals and events in Grant Park over the summer:
- Millennium Park Summer Series (June through August)
Don’t miss a variety of music in these free concerts hosted at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Chicago hosts numerous summer music festivals in Grant Park during the day and evenings. There’s something for everyone based on your musical preferences. You may enjoy going to the festival to experience something new; you may discover a new genre of music you didn’t know you liked. There are all different types of music genres performing over the summer including rock, R&B, indie, country, funk, and many more.
- Grant Park Music Festival
- Chicago Gospel Music Festival
- World Music Festival Chicago
- Chicago House Music Festival
The concerts are a perfect opportunity to enjoy a picnic with your friends and family on the grass. The grass is first come, first serve so if you want a specific spot on the grass, get there before the concert early. There are also numerous food and drink concessions around the park if you are hankering for refreshments.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park9.html
https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/millennium-park-summer-music-series/
- Taste of Chicago (June and July)
The Taste of Chicago is the city’s yearly food and music celebrations in June and July. In June, enjoy popup taste events in Chicago neighborhoods from local restaurants alongside music in this street festival celebration.
In July, there is a 3-day event in Grant Park with food trucks and eateries gathering for eats, drinks, and music. There are usually 30 to 40 restaurants that participate offering a wide selection of cuisines. Admission is free to the event and food/drinks tickets are available for purchase.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/taste_of_chicago.html
- Chicago Blues Festival (June)
Chicago Blues Festival is the city’s yearly music festival. It brings in half a million people over the 3 days to Millennium Park. It’s a free concert open to everyone.
The Blues lineups include local musicians, rising artists, and well-known groups. Like most festivals in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, you can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grass lawn. You can also purchase food and drink from nearby concessions.
https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/chicago-blues-festival/
- Lollapalooza (July)
The annual multi-day music festival in Grant Park brings in headliner bands and musical artists from all around the world. Lollapalooza offers 9 music stages for your enjoyment.
The four-day music festival gets around 400,000 attendees each year and is one of Chicago’s larger events.
The Buckingham Apartments is located next to Grant Park, and you may be able to hear the festival from your room windows. An added bonus for music fans who want to chill in their apartments listening to the festival. It’s a quick walk down the street to get to the festival.
- Chicago Air and Water Show (August)
Experience the best in air and water showmanship at the beachfront of Lake Michigan. The two-day show is free.
You’ll be seeing some of the most powerful jets flying in formation with the Royal Air Force Red Arrows and the US Navy Blue Angels. You’ll also see parachute teams demonstrating their ability to land at North Avenue Beach. There are classic aircraft on display including the powerful A-10 Thunderbolt II and the C-130 Hercules Air Force craft.
There are many options to watch the show. You can watch from the North Avenue Beach to see it all happen in front of you. You can also opt to watch the show from the water on a charter boat. A third option is to enjoy the show from a skyscraper like Willis Tower. Navy Pier also offers a good view to take in all the sights and sounds.
https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/chicago-air-water-show/
