CHICAGO—Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the 2023 dates for some of the City of Chicago's most beloved summertime traditions. Returning festivals and events include the Chicago Blues Festival (June 8 — 11) and Chicago Jazz Festival (August 31 — September 3) at Millennium Park and citywide, the Chicago Air and Water Show (August 19 — 20), and Taste of Chicago, which will return to its home in Grant Park (September 8 — 10) in addition to three neighborhood events throughout the summer. Additional programming details for all DCASE festivals and events including artist lineups will be announced in the coming weeks. For updates, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE.
"I am thrilled to bring back the Taste of Chicago, our city's beloved food and music festival, along with an incredible lineup of free, cultural events across the city throughout the season," said Mayor Lightfoot. "DCASE's wide variety of artistic and cultural programming continues to serve, enlighten, and entertain residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds while truly celebrating the rich diversity that Chicago is known and loved for."
In an effort to continue reimagining the Taste of Chicago in a post-pandemic world, DCASE along with its partners have been working to evaluate several possible locations and dates for the event. The summer doesn't have to begin and end with Memorial Day and Labor Day. Taste of Chicago will return to its home in Grant Park later in the summer from Friday — Sunday, September 8 — 10 with additional Taste of Chicago pop-ups taking place in three neighborhoods throughout the summer — Humboldt Park (June 24), Pullman Park (July 15), and Marquette Park (August 5). Over three days, Taste in Grant Park will showcase dozens of local eateries, concerts, and family fun. Taste of Chicago remains free and open to the public. Moving this iconic event to the tail end of summer will prolong our vibrant festival season and spur additional tourism and economic activity downtown.
"DCASE's primary mission is to deliver high-quality, cultural programs that provide economic and social benefits that strengthen and celebrate our city," shared DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. "Rest assured; summer is coming. From Taste to Blues and Jazz to SummerDance, our city will come alive with unique cultural events and experiences across Chicago's 77 neighborhoods."
"Taste of Chicago truly represents our city's culinary diversity," said Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. "Our member restaurants can't wait to welcome Taste-goers back to Grant Park and our neighborhoods to enjoy what Chicago's dining scene is all about — iconic experiences, global flavors, and unbeatable hospitality."
Other returning DCASE programming includes the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, in Millennium Park, the Chicago House Music Festival and Conference at the Chicago Cultural Center and in Humboldt Park; music, film, and workouts throughout the summer in Millennium Park; the Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade; Chicago City Markets; World Music Festival Chicago; Chicago SummerDance in Grant Park, Millennium Park, and neighborhood parks across Chicago; and more.
The following information is subject to change.
2023 SPRING/SUMMER FESTIVAL AND SPECIAL EVENT DATES:
Chicago City Markets (citywide including Daley Plaza on Thursdays, Maxwell Street on Sundays TBA): May — October, ChicagoCityMarkets.us .
Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade (Daley Plaza and State Street): Saturday, May 27, Chicago.gov/DCASE .
Millennium Park Summer Workouts (Great Lawn): Most Saturdays, May 27 — September 2, MillenniumPark.org .
Chicago Gospel Music Festival (Millennium Park): June 3, MillenniumPark.org, ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us .
Chicago Blues Festival (Millennium Park): Thursday — Sunday, June 8—11, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoBluesFestival.us .
Taste of Chicago (Grant Park and neighborhoods): Taste neighborhood events to take place June 24 (Humboldt Park), July 15 (Pullman Park), and August 5 (Marquette Park), culminating with the downtown Taste, Friday — Sunday, September 8—10 (Grant Park), TasteofChicago.us .
Chicago House Music Festival and Conference (Humboldt Park Boathouse Lawn, festival portion presented in conjunction with neighborhood Taste pop-up): Saturday, June 24; House Conference portion to take place at Chicago Cultural Center, June 23, ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us .
Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Mondays & Thursdays, June 22 — August 21, MillenniumPark.org .
Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Tuesdays, July 11 — August 29, 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 15 — September 10, ChicagoSummerDance.org .
Chicago Air and Water Show (North Avenue Beach and along the Lakefront): Saturday & Sunday, August 19 & 20; practice runs on Friday, August 18, ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us .
SummerDance Celebration (Jay Pritzker Pavilion and throughout Millennium Park): Sunday, August 27, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoSummerDance.org .
Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide including Millennium Park): Thursday — Sunday, August 31 — September 3, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us .
World Music Festival Chicago (citywide): Friday, September 22 — Sunday, October 1, WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org .
2023 programming also includes Millennium Park one-night-only special events, exhibitions, pop-up performances, and free programming presented by the Millennium Park Residency Program 2023 partners: Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Praize Productions, Inc., National Public Housing Museum, and the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance; as well as Chicago Cultural Center tours, talks, films, and visual art exhibitions; Chicago Riverwalk art, music, and more — 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.
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media: www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/social_media.html .
