FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Linsey Maughan
DFSS Director of Public Affairs 312.743.2031
linsey.maughan@cityofchicago.org

CITY OF CHICAGO’S 2025 SENIOR FEST INVITES CHICAGOANS AGE 60+ TO MILLENNIUM PARK FOR LIVE MUSIC, DANCING, RESOURCES AND MORE

The Department of Family and Support Services will host Senior Fest on Thursday, Aug. 21. The popular annual event is expected to bring thousands of seniors to Millennium Park.

CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) are excited to celebrate 2025’s Senior Fest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on National Senior Citizen’s Day, Aug. 21, at Millennium Park (drop-off location: 201 E. Randolph St.). Chicago residents aged 60 and better are invited to join this fun-filled celebration of Chicago’s vibrant senior community.

“I am thrilled to continue this beloved tradition of celebrating our city’s seniors by putting on one of the largest celebrations for seniors in Chicagoland,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “From wellness resources to world-class entertainment, this festival is a testament to our gratitude to Chicago’s senior citizens for building and shaping our great city. My administration is honored to uplift and serve our senior community on National Senior Citizens Day and always.”

What began in 1968 as a Senior Summer Picnic with refreshments and entertainment has evolved into one of the largest and most anticipated summer events in the city for seniors, attracting thousands from the Chicago metropolitan area. The city anticipates welcoming 5,000 to 6,000 seniors to Millennium Park to enjoy a festival specifically designed for them. Senior Fest features a DJ and live dance music, dance pavilion, karaoke, picnic-style lunch, senior resource fair, wellness pavilion, photo booth, raffle prizes, fresh popcorn, dance and main stage performances from around the world, and more.

“DFSS is thrilled to return to Millennium Park this summer to celebrate our incredible senior community with a packed agenda of fun activities as well as a resource fair to connect seniors with available support services,” said DFSS Commissioner Angela Green. More than 70 community vendors will be on site as part of the resource fair at Senior Fest, which this year coincides with National Senior Citizens Day, celebrated annually on Aug.21. “National Senior Citizens Day honors the contributions and achievements of older adults living in the United States,” said Deputy Commissioner of Senior Services Margaret Laraviere. “Similarly, Senior Fest celebrates our city’s fantastic senior population – their
active lives, their lived experiences, and all the ways they show up and care for each other, their families and their city.” Senior Fest’s schedule of events for the Main Stage Pritzker Pavilion is included below. Additional
activity areas, including a resource fair, vaccination clinic, wellness tent, karaoke and dance pavilion, will provide ongoing programming throughout the event.

Main Stage Pritzker Pavilion

9 a.m. – Music – DJ Virgil Pilate

9:30 a.m. – Main Stage – Group Exercise Class with Symbria Rehab

10 a.m. – Older Adults Cultural Dance Performances  

• 10:00 to 10:10 a.m. – Baila Dancers Pilsen Satellite Center
• 10:10 to 10:20 a.m. – Happy Fitness
• 10:20 to 10:30 a.m. – Chi-Town Hoofers
• 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. – Special Guest Performance: Hiplet Next Ballerinas

10:45 a.m. – Headline Performance: Motown Review featuring Dorothy Roberson

11:45 a.m. – Program

• Welcome
• Introduction of DFSS Commissioner Angela Green
• Introduction of Mayor Brandon Johnson and acknowledgement of Special Guests
• Acknowledgement of Event Sponsors
• Presentation of the Collective Impact Award – Meals on Wheels Chicago
• Remarks from designated special guests:
  
  • Mary Killough, director, Illinois Department on Aging
  • City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin
• Remarks from Mayor Brandon Johnson
• Raffle Giveaways

12:30 p.m. – Live Band Performance: Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago

1:30 p.m. – Music: DJ Virgil Pilate

For more information on Senior Fest, contact your local senior center or email

seniorfest@cityofchicago.org.

For more information on available Senior Services, visit www.chicago.gov/seniors or email

dfss@cityofchicago.org.

###