CHICAGO (WLS) — Millennium Park kicks off its summer season, bringing a world-class free arts program to the Midwest's number one attraction.
Season highlights include the Millennium Park Summer Film Series, Summer Rehearsals, and the iconic Chicago Gospel Music Festival on Saturday, with GRAMMY-winning headliners Karen Clark Sheard and Tye Tribbett.
This summer, guests will be required to enter all Pritzker Pavilion events (concerts, films and more) through a special entrance on Randolph and Monroe streets. Visit Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, and other attractions through the Michigan Avenue entrance.
Here is a list of attractions at the park this summer. All events are subject to change. You can also see the full schedule of free events at MillenniumPark.org.
Uniting Voices Chicago presents “Paint the Town Red”
Thursday, May 25th at 11am
“Paint the Town Red” is one of the most anticipated and biggest Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children's Choir) events of the year, bringing together singers from every corner of Chicago and every level of our programming in song.
Millennium Park Summer Training
May 27 – September 2
Most Saturdays, 8am – 11.45am
8-8:45 Pilates (no 7/1 class)
9-9:45am Yoga (no class 7/1)
10-10:45 Cardio Kickboxing (no class on 10/6, 1/7, 2/9)
11-11:45 Zumba (no classes on 10/6, 1/7, 2/9)
Summer Exercise is supported by the McDonald's Active Lifestyles Endowment managed by the Millennium Park Foundation.
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
Saturday, June 3 from 17:30 – 21:00
Starting the summer at Millennium Park with the best talent line-up. Hosted by Sonya Blakey of Inspiration 1390, DeAndre Patterson and Candace McCollum.
5:30 p.m Dance Show by Praize Productions, Inc.
6:00pm-6:40pm Choir Nation
7:00pm-7:40pm Karen Clark Sheard
8:00-21:00 Tye Tribbett
Praize Productions, Inc presents “Call Her by Name”
Sunday, June 4th
“Call Her By Name” is a multidisciplinary theatrical production of call and response for modern-day women, brought to you by Praize Productions, Inc. one of four Chicago companies living in Millennium Park.
Additional upcoming production by resident companies incl The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (July 23); National Public Housing Museum (25 August) and Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (26 August). The Millennium Park Residency Program is made possible with support from the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.
Chicago Blue Festival
Thursday – Sunday, 8 – 11 June
The concert will also be streamed live on Youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE
The world's largest free Blues Festival returns to Chicago with four days of top talent celebrating the city's illustrious Blues heritage. Access the complete schedule at ChicagoBluesFestival. us.
Grant Park Music Festival (GPMF)
June 14 – August 19
Millennium Park is the official home of the GPMF, which returns on June 14 with Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar leading a line-up of international soloists and the award-winning Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus in a ten-week season that runs until August 19. GPMF.org.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
June 22-August 21
Monday + Thursday, 18:30 – 21:00
Thursday, June 22 Tribute to Ramsey Lewis: A Gentleman of Jazzwith special surprise guests
Monday, June 26 Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, Coconut Maze
Thursday, July 13th Big Freedia“The Femmergy” feat. Mr. Wallace & Friends + VITIGRRL
Monday, July 17th Yemi Alade, They are Palenque + DJs TopDonn & Dee's money
Thursday, July 20 Stephen Marley, Skanking Lizard & Jump Record‘ 30th anniversary with DJ Chuck Wren
Monday, July 24th Kurt Vile and the Outlaws , Good
Monday, July 31 Shemekia Copeland, The Martha Redbone Roots Project
Thursday, August 10th The Legacy of the GRAMMYs and Looking Ahead – Old Farka Toure & Cedric Burnside
Thursday, August 17th PJ Morton, The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
Monday, August 21 Carla Morrison, Ultra Girl + DJs Roxy's voice
The Ramsey Lewis Tribute and Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra concert supported by 90.0fm WDCB. PJ Morton's performance was supported by Inspiration 1390. The Kurt Vile and the Violators and Shemekia Copeland concerts were supported by 93XRT. The Carla Morrison Show was made possible by a grant from the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Joffrey Ballet “Joffrey for All Celebrations”
Sunday, June 25 at 17:30
The Joffrey Ballet is proud to announce a free public performance evening in the heart of downtown Chicago at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Created as a gift to all Chicagoans, and the first event of its kind, The Joffrey Ballet's “Joffrey for All Celebrations” will feature on-site dance workshops and performances by Joffrey Company Artists, Joffrey Dance Academy, and students from the Joffrey Community Engagement program.
“Concert for Chicago” from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, June 27 at 18:30
Celebrate Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti's extraordinary tenure with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at this free concert in Millennium Park. Enjoy a heartfelt moderated performance of Andante, written by longtime Chicago resident Florence Price, and Tchaikovsky's uplifting Fifth Symphony as CSO closes the 2022/23 Season in style.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
July 11 – August 29
Tuesday at 18:30
Tuesday, July 11th Quick Five (130 minutes, PG-13)
Tuesday, July 18th Turns to Red (100 min, PG)
Tuesday, July 25 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (161 min., PG-13)
Tuesday, August 1 Summer of Soul (…Or, When Revolution Can't Be Shown on Television) (118 minutes, PG-13)
Tuesday, August 8th I don't know anything (97 minutes, PG-13)
Tuesday, August 15th Top Weapon: Maverick (130 minutes, PG-13)
Tuesday, August 22 Barber (102 minutes, PG-13)
Tuesday, August 29 Everything Everywhere At Once (139 minutes, right)
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project
Sunday, July 23 (start time to be announced)
Celebrating its 35th anniversary season, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) will deliver free interactive performances, classes, and events in partnership with Natya Dance Theatre, Chicago Dance Accident, Cultural Arts Institution CollaborationAnd Ayodele drum & Dance throughout the Millennium Park and with a highlight show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. CHRP delivers cultural-rhythm in performance, education and community development programs that foster great arts and cultural pluralism. This Millennium Park Residency show was made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.
Monday, August 14 at 18:15
Come celebrate the best of Broadway at the free Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert, sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago. Featuring performances from the hottest shows coming to Chicago, this year's concert will include favorites like Hamilton plus new events included Boop! Musical And Amazing World. More shows will be announced at a later date.
Lyric Opera‘s “Sunday in the Park with Lyrics“
Sunday, August 20 at 7pm
Join the Lyric Opera of Chicago for a wonderful night of music as artists from Lyric's Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center perform favorites from Season 2023/24 accompanied by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, led by Enrique Mazzola, Lyric's musical director. Bring a blanket, your favorite snacks, fellow music lovers, and the people you can't wait to introduce opera to for free, fun and family-friendly, can't-miss summer fun that always ushers in a new cultural season on a high note.
“Sunday in the Park with Lyric” was generously supported through a donation from the Anonymous Foundation with additional support from Rhoda & the Henry Frank Family Foundation.
Bidi Bidi Boom Boom: Selena Tribute Concert
Thursday, August 24th at 6pm
The National Museum of Mexican Art is proud to present its return Bidi Bidi Boom Boom: Selena Tribute Concert. Last year Chicago showed that her love for the legendary and iconic Tex-Mex queen of cumbia runs deep. Join us for what promises to be another unforgettable night filled with music, dancing, and an exciting lineup of new artists. There will be additional big surprise artists to be announced on the day of the event. Come with family and friends and leave with Fotos y Recuerdos.
National Public Housing Museum
Friday, August 25 at 6 p.m
The National Public Housing Museum is the only cultural institution dedicated to telling the story of public housing in the United States. Its mission is to preserve, promote and promote everyone's right to a place where they can live and thrive – a place called home. As one of four Millennium Park Resident companies, they will be holding a concert on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage on August 25, featuring iconic artists with meaningful connections to public housing. They will also be holding pop-up installations over the weekend in the park focused on cultivating love and civic engagement. This Millennium Park Residency show was made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.
We are one People, Mexican and Puerto Rican
Saturday, August 26 at 6 p.m
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) partners with Classical Strings, AfriCaribbean, and Chicago Philharmonic to attend We are one People, Mexican and Puerto Rican as part of the inaugural Millennium Park Residency Program. This one-of-a-kind symphony concert honors and celebrates the vibrant and diverse Puerto Rican and Mexican communities on the stage of the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Emeritus Puerto Rico Symphony Conductor Roselin Pabón from San Juan, Puerto Rico and Symphony Conductor & Composer Sergio Cárdenas of Cd. Victoria, Mexico will feature a cross-cultural repertoire including popular Puerto Rican songs like Preciosa, plus the music of Bomba and Plena. Groups Chicago Latin Music Project Ensemble, Cuerdas Clásicas, Mexican Folk Dance Company and AfriCaribe will join the celebrations on stage with visiting artists from Mexico and Puerto Rico. The PRAA will also host “pop-up” music throughout the summer on the grounds of Millennium Park.
This Millennium Park Residency show was made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.
Chicago Jazz Festival
Thursday, August 31 – Sunday, September 3
The Chicago Jazz Festival is back with performances at Millennium Park and at the Chicago Cultural Center. Produced by DCASE and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, a schedule will be released at a future date.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Saturday, September 9 (start time to be announced)
Harris Theater for Music and Dance will host a collaborative 20th Anniversary Season kick-off celebration with show performances, park activations, and other activities featuring the more than 20 local performing arts companies (Resident Companies) that call Harris Theater home – including Ballet 5:8, Chicago Ballet, Chicago Gay Men's Choir, Chicago Philharmonic, Giordano Dance ChicagoHi, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Muntu Dance Theatre, Baroque musicAnd South Chicago Dance Theatre-with independent artists and community partners. Programming will include performances on the Pritzker Pavilion Stage and Grainger Plaza near Cloud Gate, as well as the Great Lawn. All programs offered during the Resident Company Fair are family-friendly and free to the public.