Other Music Festivals & Events
The Grant Park Music Festival offers classical music in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. A variety of other music events hosted by the City of Chicago and other organizations occur throughout the summer in both Millennium Park and Grant Park to the south. We encourage you to visit the Web sites below for further information.
2009 Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz
Enjoy the savory sounds of Chicago jazz during six free concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion on Thursday nights starting July 30–September 3 at 6:30pm. Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz highlights jazz from Chicago, Central America, the Middle East and beyond. Each concert kicks off with young, aspiring musicians from Chicago-area high schools as part of the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Links Student Ensembles. Groups like the After School Matters Jazz Band improvise and show off their chops before the pros take the stage.
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is a three-day, eight-stage music festival happening August 7–9, 2009 in Chicago with over 130 popular rock, alternative, and hip-hop acts.
¡Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival
This
vibrant Latin music festival (August 29–30, 2009) showcases local,
national and international talent in the various Latin music genres
that include salsa, reggaeton, mariachi, norteña, Spanish pop y más.
Many artists are Grammy award winners and nominees.
Chicago Jazz Festival
Come down to Grant Park to hear world class jazz September 4–6 on three stages centered around the Petrillo Bandshell, located on the corner of Jackson and Columbus. Music starts at noon and continues on till 9:30pm. Food and beverages are available from many venders on site.
Celtic Fest Chicago
Celtic Fest Chicago (September 12–13, 2009) educates the public on Celtic music and culture from 7 Celtic nations: Ireland; Scotland; Isle of Man; Cornwall; Wales; Galicia, Spain; and Brittany, France. The festival is unusual in that it highlights different Celtic instruments at two of its tents - the Harp Tent and Uilleann Pipe Tionól (featuring the Irish bagpipe). Among the other stages are a dance performance stage, as well as an interactive tent where the general public an learn how to Celtic dance. Another stage is dedicated to showcasing young students who are keeping the Celtic music scene alive.
Chicago SummerDance
The 13th Annual Chicago SummerDance runs June 11-August 23. The Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park hosts free outdoor dancing and the sounds of dozens of top notch bands playing everything from swing, salsa and afrobeat to reggae, funk and klezmer, all on one huge dance floor. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a 4,600 square foot open-air dance floor in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, 601 S. Michigan Ave. SummerDance events occur every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, 6 to 9:30 pm, and Sunday afternoon, 4 to 7 pm, weather-permitting. Chicago SummerDance is formatted into themes featuring world music ensembles on Thursdays; “popular nights” including jazz, Latin, country and funk on Fridays and Saturdays; and ballroom/big band on Sundays.
Taste of Chicago
June 26–July 5, 2009. Plenty of free entertainment is available to amuse you before, during and after your dining experience.
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
The Gospel Music Festival, June 6–7 features more than 50 performances on three stages and activities for the whole family to enjoy including a gospel art fair.
Chicago Blues Festival
The
26th annual Chicago Blues Festival takes place in Grant Park on June
12–14 on five stages spread out around the Petrillo Bandshell on the
corner of Jackson and Columbus. It is the world’s largest free blues
festival, providing music each day from noon until 9:30pm. Refreshments
can be purchased on the grounds. The festival is easily accessible by
public transportation.
Music Without Borders at Millennium Park
Sample the City’s ongoing celebration of international music with eight spectacular concerts, June 3–July 23, that span the entire globe.
