In-person programming will include Chicago Blues and Jazz Festivals at Millennium Park and citywide, the Chicago Air and Water Show, and Taste of Chicago
Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the 2022 dates for some of the City of Chicago’s summer festivals.
The good news is that many of our favorites that have been either been virtual or nonexistent since the summer of 2020 are returning in person.
Plus many will be returning at nearly their pre-pandemic size and scope — including the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, and the Chicago Air and Water Show.
Taste-To-Go-Austin-Town-Hall-Park 2021
The Taste of Chicago pop-ups will return to Chicago’s neighborhoods, while also popping up in Grant Park for a new, bite-sized version of the classic lakefront fest. Programming details including times and artist lineups will be announced in the coming weeks. For updates throughout the spring and summer, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE
“Chicago’s spring and summertime programming is cherished by our residents and bolsters our tourism, hospitality and creative industries,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “I am thrilled that we can bring back our iconic music and food festivals, as well as hundreds of other events. This will help to bring a sense of normalcy back to our city and revitalize the local economies of our neighborhoods.”
ThmmerDance 2019e Chicago SummerDance Celebration in Millennium Park, August 2019.
DCASE Summer/Spring programming will celebrate the 2022 Year of Chicago Dance — including the Chicago SummerDance series launching in July, a new Year of Chicago Dance Showcase at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (August 27), and the annual SummerDance Celebration throughout Millennium Park aligned with National Dance Day (September 17).
The Chicago Blues Festival and Chicago Jazz Festival will both return in 2022, each presenting four days of music at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and one more location at Millennium Park — plus the return of well-received neighborhood events. All-virtual in 2020, DCASE presented single Blues and Jazz nights at the Pritzker Pavilion last year along with community concerts as part of the 2021 Year of Chicago Music.
The 2022 Chicago Air and Water Show will be two full days (four hours each day) of aeronautical feats and a nautical demonstration plus one practice day, which is comparable to pre-pandemic editions of the air show. In 2020 and 2021, the event was reimagined as a flyover honoring healthcare workers and a solo performance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, respectively.
Here is the lineup
Maxwell Street Market (800 S. Desplaines St.): Sundays, April 3 – December 18, MaxwellStreetMarket.us
Chicago City Markets (citywide including Daley Plaza): May – October, ChicagoCityMarkets.us
Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade (Daley Plaza and State Street): Saturday, May 28, Chicago.gov/DCASE
Millennium Park Summer Workouts (Great Lawn): Saturdays, May 28 – September 3, MillenniumPark.org
Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Tuesdays, July 12 – August 30, MillenniumPark.org
Chicago Gospel Music Experience (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park): Saturday, June 4, MillenniumPark.org
Chicago Blues Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday – Sunday, June 9–12, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoBluesFestival.us
Taste of Chicago (citywide including Grant Park): Saturdays, June 11, 18 & 25 (neighborhood Taste pop-ups) and Friday – Sunday, July 8–10 (a bite-sized Taste in Grant Park), TasteofChicago.us
Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Mondays & Thursdays, June 20 – August 18, MillenniumPark.org
Chicago SummerDance (citywide including pop-ups and special events, Night Out in the Parks events, programs at the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park — and the SummerDance Celebration in Millennium Park): select dates July 6 – September 17, ChicagoSummerDance.org
Air and Water show North Avenue Beach
Chicago Air and Water Show (North Avenue Beach and along the Lakefront): Saturday & Sunday, August 20 & 21 at 10am – 2pm; practice runs on Friday, August 19, ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us
Year of Chicago Dance Showcase (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park): Saturday, August 27, MillenniumPark.org
Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday – Sunday, September 1–4, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us
Chicago House Music Experience (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park): Friday, September 16 — plus ancillary community events and more, dates TBA, MillenniumPark.org
SummerDance Celebration (Jay Pritzker Pavilion and throughout Millennium Park): Saturday, September 17, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoSummerDance.org
World Music Festival Chicago (citywide): Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 9, WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org
2022 programming will also include Millennium Park special events, exhibitions, and pop-up performances; Chicago Cultural Center tours, talks, films, exhibitions, and more; Clarke House Museum tours — and other programs to be announced as part of the DCASE Fall/Holiday season. Additionally, DCASE will permit hundreds of neighborhood festivals and special events throughout Chicago.
Neighborhood festivals will be announced soon.
Filed under: Summer events, Taste of Chicago