City of Chicago and DCASE Announce 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season

April 13, 2023

DCASE Communications    dcase@cityofchicago.org

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Free Concerts, Films, Workouts and More at the Midwest’s #1 Attraction

 

Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jun 22 – Aug 21) announces
Big Freedia, Carla Morrison, Stephen Marley, PJ Morton and more big names

 

Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Jul 11 – Aug 29) announces lineup including Best
Picture Oscar winner, Everything Everywhere All at Once

 

Millennium Park Summer Workouts (May 27 – Sept 2) return with Yoga, Pilates, Zumba
and new offering Cardio Kickboxing

 

CHICAGO—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce the 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season—bringing world-class free arts programming to the Midwest’s #1 attraction. Today, artist lineups were announced for the popular Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Mondays and Thursdays, June 22 – August 21) featuring some of the biggest names in music including Big Freedia, Carla Morrison, Kurt Vile, PJ Morton, Yemi Alade, and others. This 10-part music series showcases a wide range of genres on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion’s stage. Kicking off the 2023 series is a special tribute to Chicago’s own Jazz legend Ramsey Lewis (June 22).

The Millennium Park Summer Film Series announced its showstopping outdoor movie lineup (Tuesdays, July 11 through August 29), including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Top Gun: Maverick; Clueless; Barbershop and the 2023 Best Picture Oscar winner, Everything Everywhere All at Once, among others. Films are shown on a 40-foot LED screen from the Pritzker stage with guests in the seating bowl or on the Great Lawn.

The popular Millennium Park Summer Workouts return to the Great Lawn with a new offering of Cardio Kickboxing, in addition to Yoga, Pilates and Zumba, May 27 – September 2 on most Saturdays mornings.

As previously announced, kicking off summer in the Park is the iconic Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 3) with GRAMMY®-winning headliners Karen Clark Sheard and Tye Tribbett. One of the Millennium Park resident companies, Praize Productions, Inc presents “Call Her By Name,” a multi-disciplinary, theatrical world premiere (June 4) on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion; and the beloved Chicago Blues Festival (June 8-11) brings 250 artists performing across three stages, including four-time GRAMMY® winners Los Lobos.

Millennium Park is the official home of the award-winning Grant Park Music Festival’s 10-week season (June 14 – August 19). Throughout the summer season, Millennium Park also features a series of one-night-only special performances showcasing classical music, dance, opera, Broadway hits and more, performed by some of Chicago’s best-loved cultural institutions, including Uniting Voices Chicago’s “Paint the Town Red” (May 25); the Joffrey Ballet’s first-of-its-kind “Joffrey for All Celebration” (June 25); the Concert for Chicago presented by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (June 27); Lyric Opera’s “Sunday in the Park with Lyric” (August 20), the Harris Theater’s 20th Anniversary Celebration (Sept 9), and more.

Below are highlights of the 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season. See the full schedule of free events at MillenniumPark.org. Again this summer, guests will be required to enter all Pritzker Pavilion events (concerts, films and more) through special entrances off Randolph and Monroe streets. Visit Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain and other attractions via entrances off Michigan Avenue. More information at Plan Your Visit at MillenniumPark.org.

“DCASE and our cultural partners have curated a dynamic, and diverse summer of free arts programming in Millennium Park. We look forward to welcoming millions of locals and visitors downtown this summer to experience these remarkable programs,” shared DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey.

Millennium Park summer season is produced by DCASE and its programming collaborators and is supported by the Millennium Park Foundation and others.

 

2023 Millennium Park Summer Season

Season highlights of DCASE and cultural partner programming below. Subject to change.

Updates (including weather-related announcements) will be shared on Millennium Park’s Facebook, Twitter and website.

 

Uniting Voices Chicago presents “Paint the Town Red”

Thursday, May 25 at 11am
“Paint the Town Red” is one of Uniting Voices Chicago's (formerly the Chicago Children’s Choir) most anticipated and largest events of the year, bringing together singers from every corner of Chicago and every level of our programs in song.

 

Millennium Park Summer Workouts

May 27–September 2
Most Saturdays, 8am–11:45am

  • 8–8:45am  Pilates (no classes 7/1)
  • 9–9:45am  Yoga (no classes 7/1)
  • 10–10:45am  Cardio Kickboxing (no classes on 6/10, 7/1, 9/2)
  • 11–11:45am  Zumba® (no classes on 6/10, 7/1, 9/2)

Summer Workouts are supported by the McDonald's Active Lifestyles Endowment managed by the Millennium Park Foundation.

 

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Saturday, June 3 from 5:30–9pm
Kicking off summer in Millennium Park with a powerful lineup of top talent. Hosted by Inspiration 1390’s Sonya Blakey, DeAndre Patterson and Candace McCollum.

  • 5:30pm  Dance Performance by Praize Productions, Inc.
  • 6-6:40pm  Choir Nation
  • 7-7:40pm  Karen Clark Sheard
  • 8-9pm  Tye Tribbett

 

Praize Productions, Inc presents “Call Her by Name”

Sunday, June 4
“Call Her By Name” is a multidisciplinary, theatrical production that is a call and response for the modern-day woman, presented by Praize Productions, one of the four Chicago companies in residence at Millennium Park.

Additional upcoming productions by resident companies include Chicago Human Rhythm Project (July 23); National Public Housing Museum (August 25) and Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (August 26).

This Millennium Park Residency performance is made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.

 

Chicago Blues Festival

Thursday–Sunday, June 8–11
Concerts will also be livestreamed at Youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE
The largest, free Blues festival in the world returns to Chicago with four days of top tier talent celebrating the city’s renowned Blues legacy. Access full schedule at ChicagoBluesFestival.us.

 

Grant Park Music Festival (GPMF)

June 14–August 19
Millennium Park is the official home of GPMF, which returns June 14 with Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar leading a lineup of international soloists and the award-winning Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus in a ten-week season that runs through August 19. GPMF.org.

 

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

June 22–August 21
Mondays + Thursdays, 6:30–9pm
Access artist photos

 

Carla Morrison's performance is made possible by a grant from the National Museum of Mexican Art. Millennium Park Music Series sponsors include Chicago Transit Authority and Millennium Garages.

 

Joffrey Ballet’s “Joffrey for All Celebration”

Sunday, June 25 at 5:30pm
The Joffrey Ballet is pleased to announce an evening of free public performances in the heart of downtown Chicago at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Created as a gift to all Chicagoans, and the first event of its kind, The Joffrey Ballet’s “Joffrey for All Celebration” will feature dance workshops in the lawn and performances by Joffrey Company Artists, the Joffrey Academy of Dance, and students from the Joffrey Community Engagement programs.

 

Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s “Concert for Chicago”

Tuesday, June 27 at 6:30pm
Celebrate Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti’s remarkable tenure with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at this free concert in Millennium Park. Enjoy performances of the heartfelt Andante moderato, written by longtime Chicago resident Florence Price, and Tchaikovsky’s exhilarating Fifth Symphony as the CSO closes the 2022/23 Season in style.

 

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

July 11–August 29
Tuesdays at 6:30pm

  • Tuesday, July 11  Fast Five (130 minutes, PG-13)
  • Tuesday, July 18  Turning Red (100 minutes, PG)
  • Tuesday, July 25  Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (161 min, PG-13)
  • Tuesday, August 1  Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (118 minutes, PG-13)
  • Tuesday, August 8  Clueless (97 minutes, PG-13)
  • Tuesday, August 15  Top Gun: Maverick (130 minutes, PG-13)
  • Tuesday, August 22  Barbershop (102 minutes, PG-13)
  • Tuesday, August 29  Everything Everywhere All at Once (139 minutes, R)

 

Chicago Human Rhythm Project

Sunday, July 23 (start time to be announced)
Celebrating its 35th anniversary season, Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) will present free performances, classes and interactive events in collaboration with Natya Dance Theatre, Chicago Dance Crash, Collaborative Institute of Cultural Arts, and Ayodele Drum & Dance throughout Millennium Park and with a culminating performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. CHRP presents rhythm-culture in performance, education and community development programs that foster great art and cultural pluralism.

This Millennium Park Residency performance is made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.

 

Broadway in Chicago

Monday, August 14 at 6:15pm
Come celebrate the best of Broadway at the free Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert, sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago. Featuring performances from the hottest shows coming to Chicago, this year’s concert will include favorites like Hamilton plus new shows including Boop! The Musical and A Wonderful World. More shows to be announced at a later date.

 

Lyric Opera’s “Sunday in the Park with Lyric”

Sunday, August 20 at 7pm
Join Lyric Opera of Chicago for an evening of beautiful music as artists from Lyric's Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center perform a variety of favorites from the 2023/24 Season accompanied by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Enrique Mazzola, Lyric's music director. Bring a blanket, your favorite snacks, your fellow music lovers, and those you can't wait to introduce to opera for this free, fun and family friendly, can't-miss summer delight that always ushers in a new cultural season on a high note.

“Sunday in the Park with Lyric” is generously supported through an endowment by an Anonymous Foundation with additional support from the Rhoda & Henry Frank Family Foundation.

 

Bidi Bidi Boom Boom: The Selena Tribute Concert

Thursday, August 24 at 6pm
The National Museum of Mexican Art proudly presents the return of Bidi Bidi Boom Boom: The Selena Tribute Concert. Last year Chicago showed that its love for the legendary and iconic Tex-Mex queen of cumbia runs deep. Join us for what promises to be yet another unforgettable evening filled with music, dancing and an exciting new lineup of artists. There will be an additional big surprise artist who will be announced on the day of the event. Come with family and friends and leave with Fotos y Recuerdos.

 

National Public Housing Museum

Friday, August 25 at 6pm
The National Public Housing Museum is the only cultural institution devoted to telling the story of public housing in the United States. Its mission is to preserve, promote, and propel the right of all people to a place where they can live and prosper — a place to call home. As one of the four Millennium Park Resident companies, they will present a concert on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage on August 25, showcasing iconic artists with meaningful connections to public housing. They will also have a weekend-long pop-up installation in the park focused on fostering civic love and engagement.

This Millennium Park Residency performance is made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.

 

Puerto Rican Arts Alliance 
Somos un Solo Pueblo, Mexico y Puerto Rico

Saturday, August 26 at 6pm
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) in partnership with Cuerdas Clásicas, AfriCaribe, and the Chicago Philharmonic present Somos un Solo Pueblo, Mexico y Puerto Rico as part of the inaugural Millennium Park Residency Program. This one-of-a-kind symphonic concert honors and celebrates Chicago’s vibrant and diverse Puerto Rican and Mexican communities on the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. Emeritus Puerto Rico Symphony Conductor Roselin Pabón from San Juan, Puerto Rico and Symphony Conductor & Composer Sergio Cárdenas from Cd. Victoria, Mexico will present a cross-culture repertoire including popular Puerto Rican songs like Preciosa, plus Bomba and Plena music. Chicago groups Latin Music Project Ensemble, Cuerdas Clásicas, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company, and AfriCaribe will join in the celebration onstage with guest artists from Mexico and Puerto Rico. PRAA also will present “pop-up” music presentations throughout the summer on the Millennium Park grounds.

This Millennium Park Residency performance is made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation.

 

Chicago Jazz Festival

Thursday, August 31–Sunday, September 3
The Chicago Jazz Festival returns with performances in Millennium Park and at the Chicago Cultural Center. Produced by DCASE and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the schedule will be released at a future date at ChicagoJazzFestival.us.

 

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Saturday, September 9 (start time to be announced)
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance will host a collaborative 20th Anniversary Season kick-off celebration with a showcase of performances, park activations, and other activities featuring more than 20 of the local performing arts companies (Resident Companies) that call the Harris Theater home—including Ballet 5:8, Ballet Chicago, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Chicago Philharmonic, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Muntu Dance Theatre, Music of the Baroque, and South Chicago Dance Theatre—alongside independent artists and community partners. Programming will include performances on the Pritzker Pavilion Stage and the Grainger Plaza near Cloud Gate, as well as the Great Lawn. All programming offered during the Resident Company Showcase is family-friendly and free to the public.

 

Millennium Park

Discover a world-class collection of architecture, landscape design and art that provides the backdrop for hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, interactive art and family activities. In Millennium Park, you’ll find a spectacular gathering spot located in the heart of the city, a destination for all Chicagoans and visitors alike. Millennium Park is the #1 attraction in the Midwest and among the top 10 most-visited sites in the U.S. It is also the anchor of an urban cultural campus (Millennium Park Campus) that includes the Chicago Cultural Center, Maggie Daley Park and The Art Institute of Chicago. Millennium Park is located on Michigan Avenue, bordered by Randolph St. to the north, Columbus Dr. to the east and Monroe St. to the south. The Park is open daily during the summer from 6am to 11pm. Plan your visit at MillenniumPark.org; follow us on Facebook (@MillenniumParkChicago), Twitter and Instagram (@Millennium_Park); and join the conversation on social media using #MillenniumPark.

 

Park Safety and Security

Millennium Park is a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

Again this summer, guests will be required to enter all Pritzker Pavilion events (concerts, films and more) through special entrances off Randolph and Monroe streets. Visit Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain and other attractions via entrances off Michigan Avenue. More information at Plan Your Visit at MillenniumPark.org.

Also continuing in 2023, guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (21 years and older) after 6pm, Thursday through Sunday — and may be asked to present a valid ID. The adult must be present for the duration of the visit and may escort up to four young people. For more information, visit Millennium Park Rules.

As in previous years, outside alcohol is not allowed for the following festivals: Chicago Blues Festival (June 8–11, 2023) and Chicago Jazz Festival (August 31 – September 3, 2023). For these events, alcohol at various price points may be purchased inside the venue. Before visiting, please be advised of these other Prohibited Items.

For more details, see Attending an Event.

 

Food and Beverage Offerings

Eleven North Hospitality, the concessionaire of Millennium Park, offers a broad range of food and beverage options for Park visitors at Millennium Hall (below the Cloud Gate sculpture) featuring Casa Bonita, a Mexican restaurant and Napolita Pizzeria, serving Neapolitan cuisine and American bar fare with local beer from their own Double Clutch Brewery. For the Chicago Blues Festival (June 8-11, 2023) they will host a BBQ pop-up, “Wally’s BBQ Pit” in the North Promenade Tent. For menus and more information, visit millenniumhallchicago.com.

Millennium Park guests can also enjoy Momentum Coffee, located in the center of the Park directly under Cloud Gate. Momentum Coffee believes coffee has the power to empower people. Stop by to enjoy the best coffee, delicious pastries, Chicago hot dogs, smoothies and more.

 

Parking and Transportation

Millennium Park is located on Michigan Avenue, bordered by Randolph St. to the north, Columbus Dr. to the east and Monroe St. to the south. The Park is open 6am–11pm daily. The accessible drop off point is 201 E. Randolph. For the latest news and events, visit millenniumpark.org, like Millennium Park on Facebook and follow @Millennium_Park on Twitter and Instagram. Visitors are encouraged to take CTA to Millennium Park. To plan your route, visit transitchicago.com. For those parking, Millennium Park Garages are located at Millennium Park Garage and Millennium Lakeside Garage at 5 S. Columbus Drive, Grant Park North Garage at 25 N. Michigan Ave. and Grant Park South Garage at 325 S. Michigan Ave. Pre-purchase parking at millenniumgarages.com and save up to 50% off drive-up rates.

 

Accessibility

For information about American Sign Language, Open Captioning and other accessibility services at events please visit Accessibility at MillenniumPark.org.

 

Lurie Garden

Lurie Garden is an internationally-acclaimed, 3.5-acre urban oasis for people and wildlife alike in the southeast corner of Millennium Park, open daily 6am – 11pm. Lurie Garden offers over 75 free public nature programs during the year, including free walking tours. Lurie Garden is supported by the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation Endowment managed by the Millennium Park Foundation. For details about Lurie Garden's wildlife, programs and tour schedule visit luriegarden.org.

 

Public Art Exhibitions

Millennium Park’s free public art exhibitions currently on display include “When we call…” by Chicago-based artist Christine Tarkowski in Boeing Gallery South. The startling presence of candy-colored hand-blown glass boulders suspended above and about earthbound boulders evokes a strange, yet elemental landscape–ironically similar to our environment, both natural and built. Also on display is Screenhouse by Edra Soto on display in Boeing Gallery North. Constructed from approximately 400 charcoal-hued, 12-inch cast concrete blocks, the 10-foot-high pavilion-like structure comes out of an ongoing series exploring symbolic transplants of iron grills and decorative concrete screen blocks found throughout the Caribbean and the American South.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city—to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city—serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

 

Millennium Park Foundation
The Millennium Park Foundation, a private, philanthropic not-for-profit partner, was created in 1998 to support the City of Chicago’s efforts in the design, construction and management of Millennium Park. It is the steward of Millennium Park’s internationally-recognized icons and public features. These include the prestigious Jay Pritzker Pavilion and dramatic BP Pedestrian Bridge, world-renowned Cloud Gate and Lurie Garden, iconic Crown Fountain, and exquisite Boeing Galleries for public art exhibitions. Through its ongoing development initiatives, the Millennium Park Foundation is dedicated to keeping Millennium Park a free and accessible venue for all Chicagoans today, and for generations to come.