7 Music Festivals in Chicago That You Shouldn't Miss

April 25, 2022 Venice Greaves

The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago

1. Chicago Blues Festival

337 E Randolph Dr, Chicago, IL 60601-7403 https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_blues_festival.html/
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 30 reviews

Chicago Blues Festival

Held over three days each June in the city's beloved Green Park, the Chicago Blues Festival is one of the highlights of the city's summer lineup. Originally started to commemorate the death of Blues legend Muddy Waters, it has grown to be the largest free blues festival in the world. There are five stages of live music to choose from, featuring both established and up-and-coming artists. Previous performers have included Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, and John Lee Hooker, and each year there are a few surprises in store for blues fans.

2. Lollapalooza

337 E Randolph Dr, Chicago, IL 60601-7403 http://www.lollapalooza.com/
Excellent
53%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 30 reviews

Lollapalooza

As well as being fun to say, Lollapalooza is also a heck of a lot of fun to attend. Filled with international talent but far from being a faceless international festival, Lolla celebrates the best in local life. Grab some of Chicago's best food, handpicked from local restaurants, and choose from one of the eight live music stages to chill out and listen to acts such as Paul McCartney, Florence and the Machine, and Sam Smith.

3. Chicago Jazz Festival

78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602-4801 https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-Jazz-Festival-48931671436/
Excellent
69%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Chicago Jazz Festival

4. Fiesta del Sol

1100 West Cermak Road, Chicago Pilsen Neighborhood, Chicago, IL 60608-4500 +1 312-666-2663 http://www.fiestadelsol.org
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Fiesta del Sol

5. Pitchfork Music Festival

1501 W Randolph St Union Park, Chicago, IL 60607-1424 http://pitchforkmusicfestival.com/
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

Pitchfork Music Festival

Located in Union Park in Chicago's Near West Side, the Pitchfork Music Festival brings some of today's most popular and buzzed about musical acts to the stage. For three days over 40 bands perform for over 45,000 attendees by playing everything from rock, indie, hip-hop, electronic and R&B music in this urban yet natural setting. Enjoy the variety of international and locale acts by purchasing individual day passes or a full 3-day weekend pass.

6. Spring Awakening Music Festival

6401 S Stony Island Ave Jackson Park, Chicago, IL 60637-3800 http://springawakeningfestival.com/
Excellent
25%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 8 reviews

Spring Awakening Music Festival

7. Square Roots

4400-4560 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 +1 773-728-3890 http://www.squareroots.org

The Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Old Town School of Folk Music present the 9th Annual Square Roots craft beer and music experience in Chicago’s historic Lincoln Square neighborhood. More than 30,000 fans attend Square Roots each year to enjoy local craft brews, the Brew Lounge specialty tap tasting booth, fabulous cuisine and diverse entertainment.

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