The return of summer to Chicago means the return of Chicago’s popular free summer festivals. Every week from June through September brings new and exciting ways to enjoy The Windy City for free. Below are some of the most popular festivals celebrating music, food, and much more.
The Taste of Chicago
Attended by millions every year, the Taste of Chicago is held every summer around the 4th of July in Chicago’s Grant Park. Admission to the festival is free, however, to truly experience “The Taste,” food tickets must be purchased. More than 200 different food items are available from a variety of vendors, traditionally restaurants around Chicago. A wide assortment of ethnic and regional food options are available. Every booth also offers a “Taste” portion of their most popular item, which is a smaller portion for fewer tickets, so attendees can afford to try a variety of food.
In addition to the food, the Taste of Chicago also includes free concerts by local artists and nationally known acts. Rides and other attractions are also set up around The Taste. Because of the large fireworks show on July 3rd, that day tended to be the busiest at The Taste. For 2010, the city of Chicago announced the fireworks would be moved to July 4th and split between three smaller shows coordinated along the lakefront.
Chicago Blues Festival
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and the largest of Chicago’s music festivals. Traditionally, the Chicago Blues Fest is held during three days in June, with local and nationally known artists performing on six stages in Grant Park. Past performers include Ray Charles, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor.
Chicago Air & Water Show
The largest spectator event in the United States and the longest ongoing free event of its kind in North America, the Chicago Air & Water Show is traditionally held during a Saturday and Sunday in the middle of August. The headlining performers of the show include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. The crowds tend to be the thickest around North Avenue Beach; however, much of the air show can be viewed from many points along Chicago’s lakefront.
Chicago Jazz Festival
The Chicago Jazz Fest is the longest running of Chicago’s lakefront music festivals. Traditionally, the festival is held on Labor Day weekend. Performances are usually held in the Petrillo Bandshell in Grant Park. Past performers have included Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald.
Grant Park Music Festival
The Grant Park Music Festival is currently held in Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, which is in the northern end of Grant Park. The music festival is the nation’s only free, outdoor classical music series. The festival features performances by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, as well as many special appearances by other guest performers. The concerts are traditionally held on Wednesday evenings from mid-June to late August.
Chicago SummerDance Festival
The Chicago SummerDance festival is held from mid-June through late August in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, usually on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The format of the evening includes an hour of free dance instruction of a particular style of dance, and then two hours of free live music and open dancing in that style on a large, open-air dance floor. Past dance styles have included ballroom, country line dancing, swing, salsa dancing and more.
Tips for Attending Chicago’s Free Events
Even though all of the events listed above are free, there are potential costs associated with attending. Free parking is rare and hard to find in Chicago, especially downtown, so expect to pay to park along the street or in a garage. Public transportation is cheaper, but still requires a fare and carefully planning. Additionally, plan for the cost of food and attractions.
Chicago summers tend to be hot, especially in July and August. Because these events are outdoors and shade is hard to find, prepare for the heat. Also, know that free events in such a densely populated metropolitan area tend to get very crowded, especially on weekends and holidays.
Source: ExploreChicago.org
Maggie Wolff - Maggie has over seven years of experience in public relations and marketing in the fields of healthcare, performing arts, and professional ...
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