With all the fantastic summer events and activities in Chicago, there is no shortage of free things to do in the coming months, be it roaming world-class museums or wandering the lush hidden gardens of the cities conservatories.
There’s one experience, however, that has been a beloved Chicago tradition for the past 90 years offering onlookers a spellbinding free spectacle every summer.
Dubbed “the nation’s only remaining free, outdoor classical music series”, the Grant Park Music Festival is about to return for its ten-week schedule of free music in Millennium Park and other parts of the city.
Presented by the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Grant Park Orchestral Association, the Grant Park Music Festival takes place from mid-June until late August every year predominantly at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
Taking place from Wednesday, June 12th through Sunday, August 17th, the free festival will this year celebrate its 90th anniversary.
While the majority of shows take place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion there will be free concerts at several other parks and venues around Chicago such as the South Shore Cultural Center, Jefferson Park, Lake Shore Park, and Ping Tom Park.
Kicking off next week, the exciting 2024 edition includes a variety of renowned conductors and classical musicians.
Check out the complete Grant Park Music Festival lineup:
- Wednesday, June 12 – Dvořák Cello Concerto at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, June 14 – Tetzlaff Plays Elgar at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Saturday, June 15 – Tetzlaff Plays Elgar at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Monday, June 17 – Choral Masterworks at South Shore Cultural Center
- Wednesday, June 19 – Songs Of Freedom at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Thursday, June 20 – Choral Masterworks at Columbus Park Refectory
- Friday, June 21 – Schumann Piano Concerto at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Saturday, June 22 – Schumann Piano Concerto at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Tuesday, June 25 – Dvořák Serenade For Strings at the South Shore Cultural Center
- Wednesday, June 26 – Haydn London Symphony at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Thursday, June 27 – Dvořák Serenade For Strings at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, June 28 – Stravinsky Petrushka at the Harris Theater
- Saturday, June 29 – Stravinsky Petrushka at the Harris Theater
- Wednesday, July 3 – Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Thursday, July 4 – Independence Day Salute at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, July 5 – Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Wednesday, July 10 – Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, July 12 – Beethoven Emperor Concerto at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Saturday, July 13 – Beethoven Emperor Concerto at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Wednesday, July 17 – Rachmaninov Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, July 19 – Star Wars And More: The Music Of John Williams at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Wednesday, July 24 – Beethoven Symphony No. 5 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, July 26 – Scheherazade at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Saturday, July 27 – Scheherazade at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Wednesday, July 31 – Broadway Rocks! at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, Aug. 2 – Bruckner Symphony No. 4 at the Harris Theater
- Saturday, Aug. 3 – Bruckner Symphony No. 4 at the Harris Theater
- Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Mozart Jupiter Symphony at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, Aug. 9 – Brahms Double Concerto at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Saturday, Aug. 10 – Brahms Double Concerto at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Fascinating Rhythm: Gershwin And Friends at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Friday, Aug. 16 – Mahler Symphony No. 8 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Saturday, Aug. 17 – Mahler Symphony No. 8 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
The free seats in front of the Great Lawn are first-come, first-serve and no admission tickets are required. If you miss out on these there is plenty of space on the grass of the Great Lawn to spread out a picnic blanket or set up some lawn chairs.
Note that the seats closest to the stage in the Seating Bowl are not free seats and are reserved for members, groups, and visitors who have purchased passes.
More information can be found at grantparkmusicfestival.com.