Chicago's Spring And Summer Festivals Returning In 2022, After Two-Year COVID Hiatus
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Snow may still be on the ground, but Chicago is looking ahead to summer.
Thanks to the pandemic, it's been two years since we have seen Millennium Park concerts, Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Blues and Jazz festivals, or a full two day Chicago Air and Water Show in their full glory.
They were either canceled for 2020 and 2021, reimagined as virtual events, or significantly scaled down to reduce crowds and limit the spread of COVID-19.
But this year, the city says the events are returning almost completely back to the way they were before.
"Chicago's spring and summertime programming is cherished by our residents and bolsters our tourism, hospitality and creative industries," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. "I am thrilled that we can bring back our iconic music and food festivals, as well as hundreds of other events. This will help to bring a sense of normalcy back to our city and revitalize the local economies of our neighborhoods."
Taste of Chicago will be here in Grant Park in July, and three different neighborhoods in June.
Below are the scheduled dates for the city's spring and summer festivals, although some of the dates and times might change:
Maxwell Street Market (800 S. Desplaines St.): Sundays, April 3 – December 18, MaxwellStreetMarket.us
Chicago City Markets (citywide including Daley Plaza): May – October, ChicagoCityMarkets.us
Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade (Daley Plaza and State Street): Saturday, May 28, Chicago.gov/DCASE
Millennium Park Summer Workouts (Great Lawn): Saturdays, May 28 – September 3, MillenniumPark.org
Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Tuesdays, July 12 – August 30, MillenniumPark.org
Chicago Gospel Music Experience (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park): Saturday, June 4, MillenniumPark.org
Chicago Blues Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday – Sunday, June 9–12, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoBluesFestival.us
Taste of Chicago (citywide including Grant Park): Saturdays, June 11, 18 & 25 (neighborhood Taste pop-ups) and Friday – Sunday, July 8–10 (a bite-sized Taste in Grant Park), TasteofChicago.us
Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Mondays & Thursdays, June 20 – August 18, 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 6 – September 17, ChicagoSummerDance.org
Chicago Air and Water Show (North Avenue Beach and along the Lakefront): Saturday & Sunday, August 20 & 21 at 10am – 2pm; practice runs on Friday, August 19, ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us
Year of Chicago Dance Showcase (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park): Saturday, August 27, MillenniumPark.org
Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday – Sunday, September 1–4, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us
Chicago House Music Experience (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park): Friday, September 16 — plus ancillary community events and more, dates TBA, MillenniumPark.org
SummerDance Celebration (Jay Pritzker Pavilion and throughout Millennium Park): Saturday, September 17, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoSummerDance.org
World Music Festival Chicago (citywide): Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 9, WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org
