Posted 18 days ago in Arts & Culture, Fun for Free, Summer Events
5 MIN READ – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today the 2025 lineup of spring and summer festivals and events starting this May, showcasing the city's vibrant arts, culture and community spirit.
Returning this year are world-renowned festivals and events such as the Chicago Blues Festival (June 5 - 8), Chicago Gospel Music Festival (July 12), Chicago Air and Water Show (August 16 & 17), Chicago Jazz Festival (August 28 – 31) and Taste of Chicago (September 5 – 7).
Photo credit Walter S. Mitchell III, City of Chicago
In addition to these large, much-anticipated events, community and local favorites also return such as the Chicago Farmers Markets (May through October), the Millennium Park Summer Music Series (June 26 – August 7) and Millennium Park Summer Film Series (July 1 – August 26) and Chicago SummerDance (June through August) – in addition to many others.
DCASE-produced spring and summer festival and event dates*
*information is subject to change
- Chicago Farmers Markets (Citywide including Daley Plaza) – May through October; Division Street Market opening Saturday, May 17 and Daley Plaza Market opening Saturday, May 22. ChicagoFarmersMarkets.us
Photo credit Patrick L. Pyszka, City of Chicago
- Maxwell Street (1330 S. Halsted) – Second Sundays, May through October. MaxwellStreetMarket.us
- Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade (Daley Plaza and State Street) – Saturday, May 24. Memorial Day Wreath Laying.
- Millennium Park Summer Workouts (Great Lawn) – Saturdays, May 17 – August 30. MillenniumPark.org
- Chicago Blues Festival (Ramova Theatre, Jay Pritzker Pavilion and throughout Millennium Park) – Thursday– Sunday, June 5 – 8. MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoBluesFestival.us
- Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion) – 10 concerts, most Mondays & Thursdays, June 26 – August 7. MillenniumPark.org
- Chicago Gospel Music Festival (Jay Pritzker Pavilion) – July 12. MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us
- Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion) – Tuesdays, July 1 – August 26. MillenniumPark.org
- Chicago SummerDance (Citywide, including pop-ups and special events, Night Out in the Parks events: select dates TBA June – September) – Spirit of Music Garden Schedule: Thursday – Saturday August 7 – August 23. ChicagoSummerDance.org
- Chicago Air and Water Show (North Avenue Beach & Lakefront) – August 16 –17, with a rehearsal on August 15. ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us
- Chicago House Music Conference & Festival (Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, Spirit of Music Garden and Riverwalk) – Friday, August 22 – Saturday, August 23. Chicago House Music Conference to take place at Chicago Cultural Center, Friday, August 22. ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us
Photo credit Walter S. Mitchell III, City of Chicago
- Chicago Jazz Festival (Citywide including the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park) – Thursday – Sunday, August 28 – 31. MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us.
- Taste of Chicago (Grant Park & Neighborhoods) – Friday – Sunday, September 5–7. Three additional neighborhood Taste events in Marquette Park (Sunday, June 28), Pullman Park (Saturday, July 19) and Albany Park (Saturday, August 9). TasteofChicago.us
- World Music Festival Chicago (Citywide including the Chicago Cultural Center) – Friday, September 26 – Sunday, October 5. WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org
- City Holiday Events (Millennium Park) – Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, November 21; Holiday Market, Friday – Sunday, November 21 – 23; Holiday Sing Along, Fridays December 5, 12, 19
- New Year’s Eve Celebration (Riverwalk) – Wednesday, December 31
Additionally, the Grant Park Music Festival (presented by the Grant Park Orchestral Association with support from the Chicago Park District and DCASE) takes place Wednesdays, Fridays and most Saturdays, June 11 – August 16 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Details at GPMF.org.
For full event details and updates, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE.
