Chicago’s beloved summer events and experiences are beginning to announce themselves.
One such event that has quickly become a highlight of summer is the award-winning Sundays on State event series which sees State Street closed off from Lake to Madison for pulsating interactive block parties.
Having debuted as recently as 2021 the first few years of Sundays on State, despite being hugely successful, have been teething years, and organizers haven’t been able to guarantee how, when, or if it will return the following year.
It seems, however, that now Sundays on State has found some form of a consistent format and has just announced that it will again return this year on two select summer dates.
Once again taking place on State Street from Lake to Adams, this year Sundays on State will take place on Sunday, June 16th, and Sunday, July 14 following the continued success last year.
Since the project first began in 2021, over one million attendees have visited Sundays on State events including over 270,000 attendees on just two dates last summer.
Last summer, the events on Sunday, July 16th, and Sunday, August 13th reportedly had an almost $8 million positive economic impact for Chicago. On top of that over 3,000 jobs were supported from just two dates and activations showcased 88 percent underrepresented business owners.
“Chicago Loop Alliance’s Sundays on State event series concluded the season on August 13, attracting record-breaking attendance of more than 146,000 throughout the event footprint” read a statement from the Chicago Loop Alliance.
“Across both event dates, Sundays on State saw over 270,000 attendees on State from Lake to Adams, representing all ages, backgrounds, and every single Chicago zip code and beyond.”
In 2021, with the pandemic still lingering Chicago Loop Alliance first announced Sundays on State.
Described an exciting new project to “bring people safely back to the Loop”, the ambitious weekly summer street festival closed off State Street from Lake to Madison on Sundays throughout the summer.
The event aimed to revive the Loop’s economy with a wide range of attractions and activities that would give pedestrians “a chance to experience arts and culture, active recreation, retail, restaurants, and bars against the backdrop of State Street’s iconic architecture.”
Dubbed a trial in 2021 with the potential of becoming a regular summer occurrence, Sundays on State returned with an expanded footprint in 2022 due to its hugely successful inaugural year and then took place on two select summer dates last year.
This year, despite once again taking place on just two select dates, the popular summer block party will again see an array of activations and activities take over State Street in an expansive footprint ranging from Lake to Adams from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“There is something intrinsically heartwarming about the impact of Sundays on State – the unique atmosphere, communal spirit, and fervent enthusiasm captivates everyone who attends,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance.
“Hundreds of thousands of attendees came from across Chicagoland drawn by the power of art, culture, food, and people, while gathering on the most iconic thoroughfare in our great city.”
According to Edwards, Sundays on State has continually exceeded Chicago Loop Alliance’s goals and consequently had a hugely significant impact on the recovery of the Loop, “with pedestrian activity along State Street in the Loop nearly doubling pre-pandemic levels” during both events of last year.
The last three years of Sundays on State have featured an array of activations such as interactive painting, live theater, yoga, dance, circus performances, jazz and bluegrass musicians, DJs, outdoor dining, and sidewalk vendors. So this year you can expect more of the same.
Along with pop-up shops, restaurants, and bars, there will once again be various outdoor concerts, theatrical performances, different arts and culture experiences, “Instagrammable” backdrops, and fitness classes.
To participate, sponsor, volunteer, or attend the free events visit here.
More information can be found on the official Sundays on State event page.
