Where better to enjoy a summer filled with outdoor festivals, pop-ups and shows than the ‘city in a garden’; Chicago. After two years of cancelled events and restrictions, Chicago has an unmissable programme of events this year, whether you’re looking to dance the night away with some of the city’s best musical artists, watch movies at the the impressive Jay Pritzker Pavilion, or sample your way through Chicago’s best foodie spots at Taste of Chicago; the city has something for everyone this summer.

Millennium Park Summer Film Series - Jay Pritzker Pavilion

There is no better spot for outdoor cinema than the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Throughout the year, the venue puts on an array of free cultural events, and the Summer Film Series is just one of them; the Jay Pritzker Pavilion will be showing movies every Tuesday this summer on its 12 m (40 ft) screen. Holding fixed 4,000 seats and a lawn that can accommodate a further 10,000 guests, it is complete with an impressive aerial sound system meaning there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Bring a picnic packed with treats while you sit back and enjoy the show with friends - just try not to get distracted by the city’s skyline that sits behind the screen, or the changing colours above Lake Michigan as the sun sets. Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park. Tuesdays, July 12 – August 30, 2022 MillenniumPark.org.

Chicago Blues Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park)

The largest free blues festival in the world, 2022 sees the return of the Chicago Blues Festival. Where better to enjoy some of the most talented blues musicians than the Blues capital of the world: Chicago. A diverse line-up celebrating blues past, present and future across three-days, visitors are spoilt for choice as the musical event shines a light on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, hip hop, gospel, rock and more. Millennium Park and citywide, Thursday – Sunday, June 9 12,  MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoBluesFestival.us.

Taste of Chicago (citywide including Grant Park)

Chicago’s culinary scene is thriving with a continuously increasing variety of cuisines across the city’s 77 neighbourhoods, innovative dishes and new restaurant openings, while also not forgetting the classic foodie spots Chicago is known and loved for. This year, Taste of Chicago is back at its original location of Grant Park, with a bite-sized version for attendees to taste some of the city’s top eats, but there will also be Taste of Chicago pop-ups taking place in three of Chicago’s neighbourhoods. Grant Park will have up to 40 food trucks, as well as concerts taking place each evening across the three-day foodie festival. Saturdays, June 11, 18 & 25 (neighbourhood Taste pop-ups) and Friday – Sunday, July 8–10 (a bite-sized Taste in Grant Park), TasteofChicago.us.

Chicago SummerDance (citywide)

2022 has been coined the 'Year of Chicago Dance', a citywide, year-long initiative that will focus on activating the Chicago dance industry. Not only with the aim to address issues around funding and space in the dance community, but also to provide a year-long programme of dance performances, social dancing, and special events for the public in dozens of venues across the city. 

Chicago is a hub for arts and culture and boasts a thriving dance community, and just one of the events on this year’s schedule, will be Chicago SummerDance. Taking place in many of the city’s parks throughout July until September. Dancers of all ages and of any level, even those dancing for the first time, are invited to take part in introductory dance classes by professional instructors, followed by more live music and dancing for all to enjoy. 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.

Chicago Air and Water Show (North Avenue Beach and along the Lakefront)

The Chicago Air and Water Show is the largest free show of its kind in the US. North Avenue Beach will be the focal point of the show, but take your spot anywhere along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street to enjoy this masterpiece of stunts, aerobatic shows, marine rescue exercises and more, all on Chicago’s doorstep over the beautiful Lake Michigan as its backdrop. Saturday & Sunday, August 20 & 21 at 10am – 2pm; practice runs on Friday, August 19, ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us.

Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park)

Chicago’s jazz scene and history is like no other; with some of the best jazz bars and clubs in the world, from the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, which Al Capone would frequent, to the intimate Andy’s Jazz Club in Streeterville for nightly live jazz that continues to draw a crowd. The Chicago Jazz Festival, one of the city’s oldest lakefront festivals, returns to Millennium Park in September this year, showcasing all musical talent from jazz legends to the latest new voices to watch out for in the industry. Be sure to also check out the neighbourhood events that run alongside the Millennium Park showcase. Thursday – Sunday, September 1–4, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us.

Chicago House Music Experience (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park)

Another free multi-day event at Millennium Park, the annual Chicago House Music Festival is celebrated this summer with DJs and live performances for a weekend-long dance party in the heart of the city. The genre, born in Chicago, has since revolutionalized dance music internationally, and this event is a great opportunity to enjoy both local talent and artists from around the world. Friday, September 16 — plus ancillary community events and more, dates TBA, MillenniumPark.org.