Summer Music and Arts Festivals in Chicago
Gospel Music Festival
Taking place June 2nd, 3rd and 4th in beautiful Millennium Park, the 22nd annual Gospel Music Festival is a lively kick-off to the summer festival season. On Friday night, five acts will perform at the Pritzker Pavilion. Saturday and Sunday, performances will be held at the Walgreen’s Day Stage from 12:30 to 4:30 pm, followed by more music from 5 to 9:30 pm back at the Pritzker Pavilion. Over forty performances will take place during the three-day festival, including recent Grammy winner CeCe Winans, Dottie Peoples, Bishop Neal Roberson, New Direction, and Latin gospel singer Joann Rosario. Not only is this one of the premier gospel festivals in the country, but admission is free and Millennium Park, now entering its sophomore year, is an expansive oasis of gardens, winding paths, and elaborate fountains located in the heart of the city’s vibrant downtown.
Belmont & Sheffield Music Festival
In contrast to the number of large music festivals in Chicago, the Belmont & Sheffield Festival has the feel of a large backyard barbecue. Music and aromas of roasted corn and brats waft over crowds of people chatting around beer tents, merchandise vendors and of course, the stage. Located, not surprisingly, at the intersection of Belmont and Sheffield Avenues, on the city’s north side, the festival takes place this year on June 3rd and 4th. Performing on Saturday the 3rd will be Tangleweed, Chico Banks, A Girl Named Craig, Hairbangers Ball, Bumpus, and Dave Wakeling’s English Root. Sunday will feature The Ross Hubbell Trio, Gizzae, Cat Fight, Hello Dave and Liquid Soul. The festival starts at noon both days and ends at 10 pm and 9 pm respectively. The $5 cover charge, which is donated to the local merchants association, is a bargain for this laid-back, entertaining event.
Chicago Blues Festival
It is only right that Chicago, a city renowned for its blues music, should host the largest free blues festival in the world. Now in its 23rd year, the Blues Festival takes place in Grant Park June 8th through the 11th. This year the focus will be honoring the music of the Gulf Coast, and artists from across Louisiana will be featured. Additional performers include the Siegel-Schwall Blues Band, the Elvin Bishop Group, the Bobby Blue Band, Super Chikan and many more. The festival opens at 11 am and closes at 9:30 pm each day, and as mentioned before, it is free. A true Chicago classic, this festival should not be missed by blues enthusiasts or anyone who loves great live music.
Chicago Country Music Festival
A slice of country in the city, this festival is happening on July 1st and 2nd in Grant Park from 12:30 to 8 pm both days, and admission is free. Performing at the Petrillo Band Shell will be Glen Campbell and Yonder Mountain String Band on Saturday, and Jo Dee Messina and SheDaisy on Sunday. The Taste Stage will feature a tribute to bluegrass on Saturday, and Sunday there will be all-Illinois bands such as Billy Childers Band, Majors Junction, and Mike Kelley and the Chillbillies. These performances are all part of the biggest summer festival of all in Chicago, so if you go, be prepared to experience the Taste of Chicago.
Taste of Chicago
Taking over Grant Park, and much of the downtown with street closures and traffic, the Taste of Chicago will be going on from June 30th to July 9th. Now in its 26th year, the Taste features over 70 restaurants, a wine garden, cooking demonstrations, and of course, live music. In addition to the Country Music Festival, there will be performances from the Grant Park Orchestra on July 3rd, Ray Davies and Mike Doughty on July 4th, India Arie on July 5th, Train on July 6th, and Macy Gray and Liquid Soul on July 7th, along with other acts in the final two days. An Independence Day Eve fireworks display will be held on the 3rd as well. While ostensibly admission is free, be ready to spend copious amounts of money on a cornucopia of foods, since it’s impossible to limit oneself to just a few dishes when there are so many delicious choices. Although the Taste does offer great food and lots of live music, it is overcrowded and overpriced, making it fun but also exhausting. If you go, expect to face the heat and the crowds, a very full stomach and a much slimmer wallet.
The Magnificent Mile Art Festival
A far cry from the noisy bustle of the Taste, this art festival is a laid-back showcase of paintings, pottery, sculptures, photographs and jewelry by more than 150 artists. Taking place July 7th through the 9th at the Chicago Tribune Pioneer Court, located at 435 N. Michigan Avenue, this festival will also have live music performances, and admission is free. For a leisurely look at some beautiful works of art, this festival is perfect.
Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
For seven weeks on every Tuesday night, classic movies will be shown on a giant screen in Butler Field in Grant Park. Starting on July 18th and lasting until August 29th, this distinctive festival is great for grabbing a blanket, some snacks and drinks, and watching some legendary films in a wonderful outdoor setting. Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper will be opening the festival at 8:15 pm on July 18th. Admission is free each night, and only lighting and dangerous conditions will cancel the showings, so don’t go if you’re afraid of a little rain. This year’s movies, in order of their showings, are “Rebel Without A Cause,” “Bringing Up Baby,” “High Noon,” “American Graffiti,” “The Apartment,” “On the Waterfront” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” This is a fun and unique way to spend balmy Tuesday nights by the lake with classic cinema.
Venetian Night
Not so much a festival but more of an event, Venetian Night is a Chicago summer staple. For 49 years, thousands have gathered along the lakefront to watch the parade of brightly lit and creatively decorated boats and the fantastic fireworks display that follows. This year, it’s taking place on July 29th starting at 6:30 pm in Monroe Harbor. About 30 boats will participate, and for some relaxing, laid-back entertainment with a few thousand of your closest friends, nothing is better.
Bucktown Arts Festival
Going on August 26th and 27th, the Bucktown Arts Festival is an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of performances and artistic offerings in a unique setting. Theatre performances, poetry readings, live music, dances, sculpture and jewelry displays, and a used book sale highlight the diversity of this festival, now in its 21st year. Located at Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2238 N. Oakley St., the festival lasts from 11 am to 7 pm, and admission is free. As the showcase of one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, this festival is sure to provide cutting edge works of art in a variety of mediums.
Chicago Air & Water Show
For the past 47 years, the Chicago Air & Water Show has delighted spectators with amazing airplane and aquatic acrobatics. This year the show will take place on August 19th and 20th from 9 am to 4 pm, admission is free and viewing is best at North
Avenue Beach or Oak Street Beach. Of course, anywhere near the lakefront will provide a glimpse of the vaulting, agile planes. More than 2 million people attend this yearly event, so be prepared for huge crowds and a difficult time finding a good spot to view the show, unless you can arrive extremely early.
Chicago Jazz Festival
Like the Blues Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival takes place in Grant Park, is free, and showcases some of the best performers in this genre from across the world. Also like its blues counterpart, the theme this year is “Tribute to New Orleans.” Lasting from August 31st to September 3rd, performances will take place from 12 to 4:30 pm at the Jazz on Jackson Stage, 12:30 to 4:30 pm at the Jazz & Heritage Family Stage, and at the Petrillo Band Shell from 5 to 9:30 pm, except on the 31st, when the festival will end at 7:30 pm. Along with a wine garden and an art fair, this year’s festival features Lee Konitz as the artist-in-residence. Konitz, an alto saxophonist, played with Miles Davis and has been a part of the jazz scene for over 60 years. As one of the final outdoor events of the summer, the Jazz Festival is a wonderful send-off to beautiful, fun-filled summers in Chicago.
