Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced May 2nd the 2024 Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Summer Season—bringing free world-class arts programming to the Midwest’s #1 attraction celebrating its milestone anniversary this season.
Millenium Park is one of the Chicagoans’ favorite spots in the city, it’s Great Lawn reopening after the COVID 19 pandemic being a sign things were slowly coming back to normal just a few years back, allowing people to come together once again for some of their favorite summer pastimes. Now, we are getting ready to celebrate the 20th Summer Season with some serious fun for the whole family, to prove Chicago has not been recognized as the best big city in the US for no reason.
Returning for its second year, the Millennium Park Residency Program has selected five Chicago cultural organizations to receive funding and resources to present free dynamic programming as part of Millennium Park’s season: Experimental Sound Studio (July 13 & Aug. 15); Collaboraction Theatre with Teatro Vista (Aug. 23); Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (Aug. 24); Vocalo Presents (Sept. 20); and Old Town School of Folk Music (Sept. 22).
The popular summer music series are featuring great artists this year
Artist lineups were announced for the popular Millennium Park Summer Music Series (most Mondays and Thursdays, July 1 – Aug. 8) featuring some of the biggest names in music including Corinne Bailey Rae, Terrace Martin, Charlie Musselwhite, Buscabulla, GZA (w/ The Phunky Nomads), Protoje, Seun Kuti, the NPR Tiny Desk Contest Winner, and others. This seven-part music series showcases a wide range of genres at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Pre-shows for each concert begin at 5:30pm; concerts start at 6:30pm.
The movie nights kick off with E.T. and Jurassic Park
Additionally, the Chicago Film Office at DCASE announced this year’s Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Tuesdays, July 16 – Aug. 20), presented by Pluto TV, kicking off on the Park’s actual 20th birthday with a special double-feature, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial & Jurassic Park at 6pm, followed by a diverse range of award-winning films throughout the summer: Coco, Barbie, American Fiction, Wonka and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Films are shown on a 40-foot LED screen from the Pritzker stage with guests in the seating bowl or on the Great Lawn. Films begin at 6:30pm (with the exception of the July 16 double-feature starting at 6pm). In partnership with the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF), each screening will also showcase one of the many independent film festivals that are a part of Chicago’s vibrant film community.
Moving in sync for better health and a longer high quality life
The popular Millennium Park Summer Workouts also return with Pilates, Yoga, Cardio Kickboxing, and Zumba®, Saturdays from May 18 – Aug. 31 (8am–11:45am). Participants can enjoy free 45-minute classes on the Great Lawn accompanied by live music. The schedule does not include every Saturday; guests should visit MillenniumPark.org for the complete schedule.
“Over the last 20 years, Millennium Park has become one of Chicago’s biggest cultural gems, recognized both locally and around the world for its wide breadth of programming, culture and entertainment,” said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “Whether you come from one of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods or you’re one of the millions of visitors to our city each year, we’re excited by what we have in store for you in our 20th Anniversary season.”
The Chicago Gospel Music Festival kickstarted the summer
As previously announced, kicking off summer in the Park is the iconic Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 1) with GRAMMY®-winning headliners The Clark Sisters, Chandler Moore, Todd Dulaney and Anita Wilson. The Chicago House Music Festival (June 2) celebrates 40 years since the first House Music releases, a genre born in Chicago. The Chicago Blues Festival (June 6–9), the largest free blues festival in the world, returns with four days of top tier talent, including Chicago-legend Buddy Guy in one of his farewell performances.
Millennium Park is the official home of the award-winning Grant Park Music Festival’s 10-week season (June 12 – Aug. 17). Throughout the summer, Millennium Park also features a series of one-night-only special performances showcasing dance, opera, Broadway hits and more, performed by some of Chicago’s best-loved cultural institutions, including the Joffrey Ballet’s Joffrey for All Free Public Performance (June 16); Broadway In Chicago’s Summer Concert (Aug. 12); Lyric Opera’s “Sunday in the Park with Lyric” (Aug. 25), and more.
¡Súbelo! festival to be headlined by Fruko y Sus Tesos
Also previously announced, the City will host a special four-day Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration (July 18–21), presented by Capital One, starting Thursday, July 18 with the ¡Súbelo! festival to be headlined by Fruko y Sus Tesos, the popular Latin music group from Colombia, followed by the Grant Park Orchestra in Star Wars and More: the Music of John Williams on Friday, July 19. Academy Award, Emmy and GRAMMY-winning artist, actor, author, activist and South Side native Common performs alongside the Grant Park Orchestra on Saturday, July 20 and the final day features The S&S Chicago Experience, showcasing a diverse and inclusive presentation of house music. Family programming, new public art and on-site activations will take place throughout the celebration, scheduled to take place almost exactly 20 years since the Park’s official opening on July 16, 2004.
The Chicago Jazz Festival returns to the city
Labor Day weekend brings the return of the Chicago Jazz Festival, Thursday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Sept. 1. The festival showcases Chicago’s local talent alongside national and international artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city’s most beloved art forms. Produced by DCASE and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the schedule will be released in the coming weeks at ChicagoJazzFestival.us.
Construction on Grainger Plaza surrounding Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) in Millennium Park was to be completed in May. Additionally, new temporary public art will be announced as part of the Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration, with details to be shared soon.
Listed below are highlights of the 2024 Millennium Park Summer Season. See the full schedule of free events at MillenniumPark.org. More information at Plan Your Visit at MillenniumPark.org.
Millennium Park’s season is produced by DCASE and its programming collaborators, supported by the Millennium Park Foundation and sponsored by Chicago Transit Authority and Millennium Garages.
