This summer’s schedule of music festivals and city events was announced Thursday by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, including the return of Blues Fest, Jazz Fest and other summer favorites, including the Chicago Air and Water Show and Taste of Chicago. In addition, the announcement stretches further than summer, beginning with the farmers markets in Daley Plaza in May and including city plans for next New Year’s Eve on the Riverwalk.
Look for more information about music lineups, performers and film titles at a later date.
Chicago Farmers Markets (May through October), the Division Street Market opens May 17 and Daley Plaza Market opens May 22; ChicagoFarmersMarkets.us
Maxwell Street Market (second Sundays from May through October) at 1330 S. Halsted St.; MaxwellStreetMarket.us
Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade (May 24) in Daley Plaza and State Street; Chicago.gov/DCASE
Millennium Park Summer Workouts (Saturdays from May 17 to Aug. 30) in Millennium Park on the Great Lawn; MillenniumPark.org
Chicago Blues Festival (June 5-8) at the Ramova Theatre (on Thursday), Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Millennium Park; ChicagoBluesFestival.us
Grant Park Music Festival (June 11 to Aug. 16) at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, presented by the Grant Park Orchestral Association with support from the Chicago Park District and DCASE; GPMF.org
Millennium Park Summer Music Series (June 26 to Aug. 7) with 10 concerts, most Mondays and Thursdays at Jay Pritzker Pavilion; MillenniumPark.org
Gospel Music Festival (July 12) at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park; ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us
Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Tuesdays from July 1 to Aug. 26) at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park; MillenniumPark.org
Chicago SummerDance (Aug. 7-23) in the Spirit of Music Garden in Millennium Park, plus other city events and Night Out in the Parks events June to September; ChicagoSummerDance.org
Chicago Air and Water Show (Aug. 16-17, with rehearsal Aug. 15) at North Avenue Beach and the lakefront; ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us
Chicago House Music Festival (Aug. 22-23) in Millennium Park, Spirit of Music Garden and Riverwalk, with House Music Conference at the Chicago Cultural Center on Aug. 22; ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us
Chicago Jazz Festival (Aug. 28-31) at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, plus city events and at the Chicago Cultural Center; ChicagoJazzFestival.us.
Taste of Chicago (Sept. 5-7) in Grant Park, plus neighborhood events in Marquette Park (June 28), Pullman Park (July 19) and Albany Park (Aug. 9); TasteofChicago.us
World Music Festival Chicago (Sept. 26 to Oct. 5) at the Chicago Cultural Center and elsewhere; WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Nov. 21) in Millennium Park, plus Holiday Market (Nov. 21-23) and Holiday Sing-Alongs (on Fridays Dec. 5, 12, 19).
New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31) on the Riverwalk.
More information at Chicago.gov/DCASE
