Chicago Music Festivals: Full List for 2024 – Time Out

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Explore the best summer music festivals in Chicago—from Lollapalooza to Pitchfork to Riot Fest.
There’s nothing quite like Chicago’s festival season, which brings a full roster of musical acts to town from May through September. Not sure where to start? Kick things off with reggaeton-focused Sueños Music Festival over Memorial Day weekend, or head to Chicago Blues Festival in early June. As summer goes on, make room in your schedule for returning favorites like Windy City Smokeout and Taste of Randolph plus big-name festivals in the city’s amazing parks, including Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival and Riot Fest. And if you’re hoping to save money, don’t forget about Chicago’s free summer music series programming! We’ll keep updating this list as more festivals announce lineups—in the meantime, take a look through some of the best summer music festivals coming to Chicago in 2024.
RECOMMENDED: The best things to do this summer in Chicago
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The South Side Jazz Coalition hosts a series of free monthly jazz performances every summer on the steps of St. Moses the Black Parish in Greater Grand Crossing. Bring a lawn chair, some snacks and prepare to hear some top-notch music from the Chicago jazz community—plus, every performance ends with a jam session. 
The oldest music festival in North America plays host to more than 100 shows throughout summer, featuring big-name headliners like James Taylor, Violent Femmes, Ben Platt and Samara Joy. Check out the full schedule of artists coming to Highland Park this year and don’t forget to pack a picnic.
Make your way to Harper Court in Hyde Park on four Thursdays throughout the summer for free outdoor concerts. This year’s lineup stars DJ Eric “ET” Taylor, Funkadesi, Sam Thousand & The Soul Vortex and an open mic night.
Chicago honors its legacy as a city of 12-bar melodies and wailing guitar solos by hosting this annual blues music festival, bringing living legends and local players to Millennium Park for four days of electrifying performances. This year’s lineup includes headlining sets from soul and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland, “The Mississippi Blues Child,” Mr. Sipp, and Memphis soul and roots band Southern Avenue. When you need to refuel, head to Wally’s BBQ Pit to feast on delicious barbecue in between acts.
Andersonville’s beloved summer street fest returns to Clark Street for its 58th year of Swedish-themed festivities. Catch live entertainment across five stages from dozens of musical and entertainment acts. Plus, shop local vendors for gifts and food. And of course, don’t miss out on Swedish heritage activities, including a traditional dance around the Midsommar Maypole.
Celebrate Humboldt Park’s vibrant Puerto Rican culture and history at this annual fest, which returns to the park of the same name this year with music, food, carnival rides and other community-centric festivities. You’ll find attractions like a dominoes tournament, music stage, merengue dance performances, a shopping market, street food stands and more; plus, don’t miss the 46th annual Puerto Rican People’s Parade Day along Division Street on Saturday. PSA: Tickets are free for community day on Thursday. 
For classical music lovers who enjoy taking in a show set beneath Chicago’s skyline, the annual Grant Park Music Festival is perennial favorite summer event. This year’s series of classical concerts runs from June 12–August 17 with performances ranging from world premiere works and performances of symphonies by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Shostakovich to an evening of classic Broadway arrangements and the annual Independence Day salute. Take a look at the complete schedule of events below and find more information on the Grant Park Music Festival website.
Local hip-hop blog and music video production house Lyrical Lemonade brings its Summer Smash festival back to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview for another year, hosting a lineup of both established and rising rappers. Cactus Jack (Travis Scott), Playboi Carti and Chief Keef headline the fest. Other highlights on the lineup include Big Sean, Kodak Black, Denzel Curry and Lil Yachty. As usual, the undercard is filled with rising acts—for those looking for a glimpse of the future of hip-hop, you’ll probably see it at the Summer Smash.
With performances taking place in the Navy Pier Beer Garden and at Polk Bros Park, the Chi-Soul Fest returns to the lakefront for two days of free music. The lineup includes artists that embrace classic and contemporary interpretations of soul music, including Ariel Posen, New Black Renaissance, Meagan McNeal and more.
Chicago Pride Fest brings two days of music, drag, vendors and LGBTQ-friendly event to Northalsted in celebration of Chicago Pride Month. Swing by to catch headlining sets from Natasha Bedingfield, JoJo Siwa, Kaleena Zanders, Amber Riley and more. Plus, browse arts and crafts from more than 150 vendors and don’t miss out on the Proud Pet Parade at noon on Sunday. Once you’ve had your fill, head to one of the best gay bars in Chicago to keep the party going.
Vegandale returns to Chicago this summer with over 100 vendors from around the world. Check out over-the-top plant-based eats—including products not yet available in stores—as well as interactive art installations, free samples and performances by 2 Chainz, Saweetie and more.
Head to Pritzker Pavilion on select Mondays and Thursdays from July 1–August 8 for the seven-part Millennium Park Summer Music Series, which showcases a wide range of music from both emerging and well-established performers. Check the official website for the full list of artists and schedule.
NASCAR returns to Chicago for another weekend of street racing, sending cars going over 100 miles per hour down Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive and other downtown thoroughfares. You can purchase tickets to watch all the action from reserved seats and designated viewing areas, and also enjoy concerts by The Chainsmokers, The Black Keys, Keith Urban and Lauren Alaina.
For three decades, the African Caribbean International Festival of Love has brought reggae and world music performances, Afro-Caribbean food, games, crafts and more to Washington Park. This year, the fest will take place over Independence Day weekend, with performances from a variety of artists.
Spend enough time basking in the smell of barbecued meat, the twangy strains of country music and the sweltering heat at Windy City Smokeout and you might feel like you’ve been transported to Texas. Taking place in a parking lot outside of the United Center, this annual festival brings together some of the nation’s most talented pitmasters and a stacked lineup of Nashville-approved musicians. Headliners for this year’s edition of the four-day fest include country stars Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum and Thomas Rhett. Come for the delicious smoked meats and stick around for the music.
Local music collective the Chosen Few DJs takes over Jackson Park for a day of house sets from Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter, Mike Dunn and special guests. Stop by to watch a crowd of people dancing to the beat, or jump into the fray and show off your moves.
This Hyde Park street festival outside of the Promontory brings together some of the biggest names in Afrobeat music, a genre pioneered by musician Fela Kuti, who fused Nigerian instrumentation and rhythms with contemporary pop, funk and jazz. You’ll catch sets from DJs spinning global tunes, plus access to local food, a photo installation, outdoor laser tag and more fun activities.
One of Chicago’s premier celebrations of Latin music will bring together some of the biggest names in the industry across a variety of genres, including reggaeton, salsa, bachata, banda and rock. The two-day fest boasts a lineup of exciting acts, such as Kali Uchis, Junior H, Los Angeles Azules, Sante Fe Klan and more, plus delicious local eateries, talented artists, a full carnival experience and plenty of micheladas.
This midsummer block party staple brings alt-country, folk and Americana jams—plus craft brews and snacks from local food vendors—to Lincoln Square. Admission is free, but consider tossing in a donation to benefit small business workshops, community efforts and scholarship programs at the Old Town School of Folk Music. 
West Town’s rollicking street festival returns to Chicago Avenue for three days of music, food and shopping from local vendors. Empty Bottle Presents will curate West Fest’s musical lineup, and you can also catch jockeys spinning vinyl on the Bass By the Pound DJ Stage. Plus, browse tons of local vendors and don’t miss the Pet Fest area, which features charming attractions like a dog obstacle course and pet painting.
If you love classic rock, skip Lollapalooza and head to Jefferson Park for a community festival that looks to the past with performances from local cover bands. You’ll also find food from neighborhood vendors and a dedicated kids zone where families can hang out and boogie with the little ones.  
Pitchfork returns to Union Park during its usual weekend in July—and as ever, the lineups are packed with some of the most of-the-moment indie, hip-hop and electronic acts. Catch headlining sets from psychedelic sold band Black Pumas, English DJ Jamie xx and ’90s icon Alanis Morissette.. Plan on arriving early, discovering some new music and weaving your way through the crowds to find a spot in the shade.
Taking place on the same street occupied by some of Chicago’s best-known restaurants, this West Loop fest boasts six blocks of food, drinks and music. You’ll find bites from more than 16 restaurants (on Randolph Street and beyond) as well as two stages packed with performances throughout the day. This year’s lineup includes Local H, Lucky Boys Confusion, Ramona Flowers, Phantom Planet and more. Proceeds from the festival support the West Loop Community Organization.
Millennium Park celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special four-day event, featuring free performances by Fruko y Sus Tesos, the Grant Park Orchestra, Common and The S&S Chicago Experience. Family-friendly programming, new public art and on-site activations will also take place throughout the weekend.
Dance on the sand at Chicago Sport and Social Club’s annual Volleywood festival, which boasts a day of live music, food and interactive experiences on the sands of North Avenue Beach (it’s the city’s last remaining beachfront music fest). British DJ TroyBoi and electronic duo The Knocks headline the EDM-centric event—snag general admission tickets or spring for a cabana for you and 11 of your friends, stocked with beer, refreshments and private restrooms.
River North is home to a diverse collection of restaurants—and you’ll be able to try a lot of it at this tasty neighborhood gathering. While you’re digesting, enjoy tunes from local cover bands and plenty of beverages. This year’s event will also feature a wine tasting on Friday, and a dog parade on Saturday.
Celebrate the anniversary of Colombian independence at this festival taking place at Northeastern Illinois University, where you’ll find live music, food vendors, a circus, a kids’ area, games and more. Headlining acts on the music stage include Grupo Niche, Jorge Celedon, Hernan Gomez, Henry Fiol and more.
When it comes to street festivals, the annual Wicker Park Fest is usually one of the season’s largest (and most crowded) events, attracting thousands of people to a stretch of Milwaukee Avenue that’s crowded with bars, chain restaurants, boutiques and shoe stores. Jam out to live music—you’ll also find plenty of food from local vendors, well-stocked beer tents, sales at surrounding shops and a dedicated kids area.
One of the largest Latino fests in the Midwest returns to the heart of Pilsen, bringing a carnival, delicious food from local vendors and a lineup of traditional music to the neighborhood’s streets. The four-day event takes place along a stretch of Cermak Road (between Ashalnd and Morgan) and can draw as many at one million people every year—we recommend showing up early before the crowds stream in during the evening.
The annual Bantu Fest prides itself on bringing people, cuisine and culture from more than 30 different countries together for a two-celebration of Chicago’s (and the world’s) diversity. When you’re not sampling tantalizing dishes from around the globe, you can take in sets from local musicians and enjoy the sights during a summer afternoon on Midway Plaisance.
Chicago’s biggest music festival welcomes 400,000 attendees to Grant Park for a four-day music festival that’s packed with some of the biggest names in pop, rock and hip-hop. SZA, Tyler, The Creator, Blink-182, The Killers and more headline the fest this year, joined by acts like Future X Metro Boomin, Hozier, Stray Kids, Melanie Martinez and Skrillex. Check out our comprehensive guide to Lollapalooza, including the full lineup and schedule, for more info.
Pay homage to Bronzeville’s history as a hub for jazz and blues at this beloved annual music fest, which returns to King Drive (outside Mariano’s Bronzeville) for a day-long roster of performances curated by music producer Frank Goss III, plus food and drinks from local vendors. This year’s lineup features Rick Parma, Chris Miskel, Corey Wilkes and Marqueal Jordan.
Set amid the Chicago Brewing District, this jam-band focused street festival invites guests to take in multiple sets from live music while enjoying a cold beer. Local brewers will be pouring beer all weekend long, accompanired by an array of West Town restaurants and food trucks. Find a tie dye shirt and get ready to dance.
Northalsted Market Days is one of the largest street festivals in the Midwest, welcoming 100,000 people to the streets of Northalsted (formerly known as Boystown) for an LGBTQ-friendly summer celebration of music, food and dance. You can expect a long list of performers across five stages—check out the Northalsted Market Days website for a complete schedule.
Antique vendors and classic cars fill six blocks of Roscoe Village at this throwback street market, where everything old is new again. The music lineup is usually equally nostalgic, featuring tribute acts that perform hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s.
This annual River North block party celebrates America’s military service members with an evening of live music, delicious food and drinks to sip. Proceeds from the event benefit the USO of Illinois.
Humboldt Park transforms into an outdoor tapas bar during this boozy bash, which pairs bites from local restaurants with pitchers of red wine and chopped fruit. Lay our a blanket to sip sangria on the lawn, put color on a canvas at the festival’s painting station or watch live salsa and Brazilian dance music.
For some, Labor Day weekend means cookouts and enjoying some of the final days of summer among family and friends. For other, it means crowding in front of a stage with a bunch of strangers and dancing to the sound of bone-rattling bass drops. North Coast Music Festival brings some of the biggest names in EDM to Bridgeview, IL for three days of beats and pyrotechnics in and around SeatGeek Stadium. The lineup includes headlining acts like Above & Beyond, ILLENIUM, Seven Lions, SLANDER, Subtronics and Chase & Status. And with multiple stages to explore, you should have no problem finding the house, techno, progressive and trance music that you want to dance to.
The fourth annual ARC Music Festival is scheduled to take over Union Park during Labor Day weekend, celebrating Chicago’s house music roots and welcoming an international lineup of dance music artists. Taking place across three days, the fest features acts like U.K. brothers Disclosure, Belgian techno DJ Charlotte de Witte, New York icon Armand van Helden, Australian house producer Dom Dolla, EDM pioneer Kaskade and more. Additional Chicago performers include local house music legends Derrick Carter and DJ Lady D. See shows at multiple stages spread throughout the park, enjoy food from local chefs and attend afterparties at over 13 venues.
As is Labor Day weekend tradition in Chicago, some of the biggest names in jazz will gather for a series of shows at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center during this annual festival. Visit the Chicago Jazz Festival webpage for the full lineup and schedule.
The Taste of Chicago is again being held in September this year instead of its usual first weekend of July. The annual festival will feature dozens of vendors and food trucks, plus musical performances. And just like last year, the Taste of Chicago will be preceded by a series of day-long fests throughout the summer (at Rogers Park, Pullman Park and Marquette Park) before heading to Grant Park for the three-day main event.
This two-day music festival on the South Side brings together acts from all parts of the country, including Mojo Thunder, Caution, Brandon Good, The Leadfoot Band, Stereotypes and more. The tunes will be paired with barbecue-inspired Mexican street fare, so expect to feast on plenty of tacos filled with spicy smoked meats.
Get ready, punk rockers! Riot Fest is returning from September 20-22 with a laundry list of rock, punk and emo artists. It’s one of the biggest music fests in Chicago every year thanks to a must-see lineup of both legacy acts and emerging newcomers. This year’s lineup stars a reunion performance by Slayer.
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival returns to venues throughout its namesake neighborhood in September. As always, Hyde Park Jazz Festival’s shows are free to attend—for a complete list of performances, visit the festival’s website.
Explore music from around the globe during this annual festival, now in its 24th year, which brings a wide array of performers to venues across the city for free musical performances. Experience sounds and subgenres from regions like Brazil, South Korea, Senegal and more. For a full list of performances, visit the festival’s website. 
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