Chicago Festivals!

Though the frigid winter weather continues to rage on, there are many exciting events to look forward to in Chicago as we move into Spring and Summer! Chicago has a ton of festivals, and a lot of them are even free!

Here are some of the main events to look forward to in the coming months:

Creative Chicago Expo

Are you a professional or aspiring designer, musician, filmmaker, artist, chef, or involved in another creative career field? Come to Creative Chicago Expo! There are over 30 workshops and 140 exhibitors coming together for this event.

Dates: Friday and Saturday, March 14-15

Location:  Chicago Cultural Center

    78 E. Washington Street

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: Free

Chicago Kids and Kites Festival

In the effort to celebrate the joys of being a kid, Chicago Kids and Kites is a wonderful event for the whole family to attend. Activities include face painting, balloon art, kite flying and instruction, and crafts.

Date: Saturday, May 4

Location: Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park

    W. Montrose Drive

Time: 10am – 4 pm

Cost: Free

Chicago Memorial Day Parade

The Chicago Memorial Day Parade is one of the largest in the nation, celebrating the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

Date: Saturday, May 24

Location: State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren

                 State St. and Lake St.

Time: At 11am, the Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). The parade will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to VanBuren Street.

Cost: Free

Millennium Park Music Series

Throughout the summer, there are several free music concerts which take place at Millennium Park.

Dates:

Loops and Variations – Thursdays from May 29-July 3

Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays from June 2 – August 11, no concert 7/28

Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz – Thursdays

Chicago Blues Festival

The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world, and also one of the most popular in Chicago, located at Millennium and Grant Park .

Dates: Friday-Sunday, June 13-15.

A complete schedule and list of performances and times will be released later this spring.

Chicago Summer Film Series

Come to Millennium Park on Tuesdays between June 24 and August 29 for FREE summer film screenings at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park.

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Date: June 27-29

Location: Multiple Locations, including the Chicago Cultural Center

More information will be available later this spring. For more information, go to www.chicagogospelmusicfestival.us

Chicago SummerDance

This dancing event includes a one hour dancing lesson taught by a professional and followed by two hours of live music and dancing. And the best part is—it’s free!

Dates: June 27-September 14 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

Location: Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park

Time: TBA

Cost: Free

Taste of Chicago

What better way to experience Chicago than tasting a little bit of everything? Come enjoy the food and festivities.

Dates:July 9-13

Location: Grant Park

Cost: Free Admission

Chicago Air and Water Show

The Chicago Air and Water Show is the largest free show of its kind in the United States.

Dates: August 16 & 17

Location: North Avenue Beach

Time: 10am – 3pm

Cost: Free

Chicago Jazz Festival

Dates: August 28-31

Location: Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, Grant Park

Cost: Free