20 Chicago festivals for 2023: Pitchfork to Pride, outdoor movies to Summer Smash, we have the list
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Summer is fast approaching and we have all the details on 20 festivals coming to the Chicago area this season, including Ravinia, Pitchfork and Lollapalooza. This guide will continue to update as more events are announced, so be sure to check back.
Sueños Music Festival in Grant Park: May 27-28
Sueños Festival is returning to Grant Park this summer for a second annual, two-day festival of Latin music and Reggaeton. Headliners will be Wisin Y Yandel, Nicky Jam, Grupo Firme and Feid. Noon to 10 p.m. May 27-28 in Grant Park. Tickets from $179 (ages 18+) at suenosmusicfestival.com
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest in Lakeview: May 27-28
This fest on Sheffield Avenue will have popular tribute bands, neighborhood music acts, DJs and other performers. Headliners include Freddy Jones Band and Rod Tuffcurls & the Benchpress. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 27-28 on Sheffield Ave. from Belmont to Roscoe; suggested donation of $10, more information at chicagoevents.com
Ravinia Festival in Highland Park: June 6 to Sept. 10
Each year, this festival focuses on an underrepresented demographic in the classical music world. For 2023, it’s women composers and songwriters. The event will spotlight Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade and composer and bandleader Maria Schneider in addition to the CSO’s opening program. Pop programming includes Santana, John Legend and Carrie Underwood. At Lake Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park; tickets go on sale to the public May 1, ravinia.org
Heatwave Music Festival at Northerly Island: June 10-11
This two-day fest that celebrates dance music from around the world moves to a new home this year at Northerly Island on the lakefront. The lineup includes the Chicago debut of Kx5, a collaboration between the Chicago-born DJ Kaskade and deadmau5; producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist GRiZ; Tiësto and Slander. Single-day tickets start at $99, more information at heatwavemusicfestival.com
Chicago Pride Fest and Parade: June 17-18 and June 25
The festival will feature live music on three stages, DJs and drag shows. Performers include Dorian Electra, CupcakKe, The Aces, Grag Queen and Madison Rose. The following week, the parade acts as a finale for Pride Month. More than 150 floats will go from Uptown to Lakeview.
Pride Fest is 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 17-18 on North Halsted Street at Addison, suggested donation of $15, more information at northalsted.com/pridefest
Pride Parade starts at noon June 25 at Montrose Avenue and Broadway; more information at chicagoevents.com/event/chicago-pride-parade
Summer Smash in Bridgeview: June 23-25
The three-day festival of hip-hop music is relocating to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Concerts will play on two mainstages — one in the 25,000+ capacity stadium, the other on turf elsewhere on the campus — plus on a third performance stage. Headliners include Kid Cudi (Friday), Future (on Saturday) and Playboi Carti (closing out the fest Sunday). Three-day GA ($275+) and VIP ($499+), plus single-day GA ($99) and VIP ($199) tickets; www.TheSummerSmash.com.
Re:SET at Riis Park: June 23-25
Headliners for this concert series in Riis Park include Steve Lacy, boygenius and LCD Soundsystem. There will also be food and drinks from local restaurants, bars and breweries. At Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave.; general admission tickets start at $129.50, VIP tickets start at $275, more information at chicago.resetconcertseries.com
Miche Fest at Harrison Park: June 24-25
Grab a michelada and enjoy this Latino music fest, back for its fifth annual installment. Headliners are Prince Royce, Natti Natasha, Gerado Ortiz and Alex Lora y El Tri. At Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St.; tickets start at $89, more information at michefest.live
American Music Festival in Berwyn: June 30 to July 3
FitzGerald’s Nightclub in Berwyn celebrates the 40th anniversary of this music fest. The first two days featuring Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle are already sold out, but some tickets remain for the final two days featuring the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones. At FitzGerald’s Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn; tickets and information at fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
NASCAR Chicago Street Race in Grant Park: July 1-2
The soundtrack to the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race will include more than screeching tires and roaring engines. The two-day event will feature full-length concerts ranging from country to electronic dance, headlined by Miranda Lambert, The Chainsmokers and The Black Crowes. Tickets start at $269, more information at nascarchicago.com
The Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic in Jackson Park: July 8
The Chosen Few Disco Corp. is a group of popular South Side DJs. The original members — Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King and Andre Hatchett — were among the DJs and producers who would create what would become known as House Music. This event aims to embody the atmosphere of a family reunion and embraces family, friends, food and fun. 6 a.m.-8 p.m. July 8 at Jackson Park, South Lake Shore Drive near 63rd Street; Tickets start at $80, more information at chosenfewdjs.com
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
The longtime outdoor movie favorite kicks off in Millennium Park in July with “Fast Five” and closes the summer with “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Films will be screened 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays on a 40-foot LED screen at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
July 11: “Fast Five” (2011, 130 minutes, PG-13)
July 18: “Turning Red” (2022, 100 minutes, PG)
July 25: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022, 161 min, PG-13)
Aug 1: “Summer of Soul (… Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” (2021, 118 minutes, PG-13)
Aug 8: “Clueless” (1995, 97 minutes, PG-13)
Aug 15: “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022, 130 minutes, PG-13)
Aug 22: “Barbershop” (2002, 102 minutes, PG-13)
Aug 29: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022, 139 minutes, R)
Free, enter the park at Randolph Street and Monroe Street (gates open at 5 p.m.). More information at MillenniumPark.org.
Windy City Smokeout outside the United Center: July 13-16
Zach Bryan, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan and the Zac Brown Band headline this festival all about country music and BBQ. Four-day tickets and single-day tickets for Thursday are sold out, but single-day passes are available for the other days. Outside the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets start at $54.95, more information at windycitysmokeout.com
Pitchfork in Union Park: July 21-23
The festival of alternative rock, indie, electronic music and hip hop has announced its summer 2023 lineup, with headliners The Smile, Big Thief and Bon Iver. This will be the U.S. festival debut for The Smile, composed of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner. In Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St.; more at pitchforkmusicfestival.com
Out of Space in Evanston: July 27-30
The Out of Space music festival returns for its sixth year with a four-day lineup featuring Lord Huron, Regina Spektor, Andrew Bird, and Lucius and Dawes as headliners. The festival will be held on the fairway at Canal Shores Golf Course in Evanston. At Canal Shores Golf Course, 1030 Central Street, Evanston; tickets are $45-$60.50 for GA and $125-$160.50 for VIP at outofspaceconcerts.com
Lollapalooza in Grant Park: Aug. 3-6
The four-day music festival in the lakefront park will have more than 170 bands on nine stages. Headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, British band The 1975 and K-pop band Tomorrow X Together. Karol G will be the first female Latin artist to headline Lolla. Tickets include General Admission, General Admission+ (with 4-Day tickets at $675), VIP (4-Day at $1,500) and Platinum Tickets (4-Day from $4,350). Also available are Lolla Cabanas and the Lolla Insider service; more information at lollapalooza.com
Arc Music Festival in Union Park: Sept. 1-3
This festival, which focuses on electronic and house music, will feature artists including Swedish DJ Adam Beyer, DJ Minx, Fatboy Slim and Brazilian DJ Vintage Culture. At Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St.; three-day general admission tickets start at $369 (ages 18+), More information at arcmusicfestival.com
North Coast Music Festival in Bridgeview: Sept. 1-3
This festival over Labor Day weekend features notable electronic artists such as Flume, DJ Snake, Alison Wonderland and Alesso. Among the artists making their North Coast debuts will be electro-soul producer Daily Bread, psychedelic bass artist A Hundred Drums, and electronic hip-hop duo MZG. At SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview; single-day tickets start at $75, more information at northcoastfestival.com
Taste of Chicago and Millennium Park summer festivals
This year, Taste of Chicago will have three preview events in Chicago neighborhoods over the summer, then take place in Grant Park in September. Other big events include the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago House Music Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, World Music Festival Chicago and the Chicago Air and Water Show.
>> Read more here (Taste of Chicago)
>> Read more here (Blues, Gospel and House Music Fests)
Navy Pier’s summer 2023 events
Navy Pier’s summer calendar includes Mexico Fest and the Chi-Soul Fest, as well as the return of fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday all summer long.
