Events in Chicago

Chicago is the fifth-largest city in the states, with a diverse population. Chicagoans enjoy a huge number of annual festivities and events. Many of these events celebrate the heritage of the local population such as St Patrick’s Day and Taste of Chicago.

Chicago is also world famous for its music, as the birthplace of many a genre. As a result, the city hosts an important selection of live music festivals, covering everything from rock to gospel, blues and electronic dance.

Whatever the time of year, visitors to Chicago will find their trip coincides with at least one annual event. However, many visitors book their trip to the city specifically in order to enjoy one or more of Chicago’s famed festivals.

St Patrick’s Day (March)

St Patrick’s Day is massive in Chicago, thanks to a long history of Irish Immigration to the city. Wherever you are in Chicago, you’ll manage to be a part of the celebrations which includes both the North Side and South Side Parades and a variety of family friendly entertainment.

The Chicago River is dyed green for the day and crowds spill out of Downtown Irish bars celebrating the craic until the early hours of the morning.

Chicago House Music Festival (May)

House music originated in Chicago in the early 1980s at the Warehouse nightclub, so where better to attend a festival dedicated to this strand of electronic dance music than Chicago? The Chicago House Music Festival is an event that takes place in Millennium Park.

More than just a chance to dance your troubles away, the first day begins with a series of conferences at the Chicago Conference Centre where some fascinating seminars about the history and future of house music take place. International DJs play sets across multiple stages.

GospelFest (May)

Based primarily at Millennium Park but with shows held all over the city, GospelFest is an event close to the hearts of many Chicagoans. Gospel music has its roots in West [Africa, but it was in Chicago where it came together when the hymns of the South met the jazz of the North. Unsurprisingly, GospelFest is therefore considered one of the best Gospel festivals in the world.

Not only does the four-day festival celebrate traditional gospel music, but it also showcases contemporary styles that incorporate hip hop and house. Most of the concerts take place in the open-air and are free to attend.

Pride Parade and Festival (June)

Chicago hosts one of the biggest and most historic pride events in North America, with over a million attendees. Chicago Pride has been running for over 40 years. The main event takes place on June 24th and if you find yourself in the city that day you’ll have the chance to be part of the huge and spectacular parade.

If you miss the parade never fear, events are hosted all month and that includes mini music and theatrical festivals, as well as, cruises on Lake Michigan and the launch party at the start of the month.

Blues Festival (June)

The Chicago Blues Festival mirrors the GospelFest in that it is also a four day, largely free, outdoor event that takes place in Millennium Park. As the birthplace of Chicago Blues, the city has always been an important mecca for blues enthusiasts.

The festival attracts big names with past headliners including Etta James and BB King.

Taste of Chicago (July)

The world’s biggest outdoor food festival takes place in Grant Park. It is the most significant Chicago event of the year, attended by more than three million visitors. There really is no better city for hosting the world’s best food festival to take place, a city where almost every nation on Earth is represented. It’s also the city that gave the world the Chicago Hot Dog, famous pizza pie and the Italian beef sandwich.

Taste of Chicago is a five-day event that is so vast there’s also a programme of live music, which includes some very well-known names. Past headliners have included Carlos Santana, Kenny Rogers and Moby. Families also enjoy rides and other live entertainment.

Lollapalooza (July to August)

Lollapalooza is a huge summer music festival that takes place in Chicago's Grant Park, at the end of summer. Musical acts cover the genres of rock, indie, pop and hip-hop, as well as many more.

With nearly half a million attendees it is one of the biggest music festivals in North America. Headliners are regularly some of the biggest acts on Earth, with previous names that include The Strokes, Muse, The Killers and Bruno Mars.

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