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The four-day music festival celebrates the global impact of Chicago’s homegrown genre with free programming, performances and events at Millennium Park and across downtown Chicago    

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is proud to announce the lineup for the 2025 Chicago House Music Festival and Conference, celebrating the birthplace of House Music with four days of events that are open and free to the public from Aug. 21–24. 

The celebration kicks off Thursday, Aug. 21, with the Chicago House Music Conference and Cultural Center Open House, an inspiring evening of community conversations, dance workshops and live DJ sets inside the Chicago Cultural Center. Panel discussions with music industry professionals will explore themes such as community and collaboration, creative processes, nightlife and culture, music marketing and more. To request accessibility services for the Chicago House Music Conference, such as ASL Interpretation, please contact dcase@cityofchicago.org by August 18.

“The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference celebrates Chicago’s global impact on House music,” said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “This year’s lineup pays tribute to the genre’s deep roots in the city while spotlighting the next generation of DJs and artists. Whether you’re a longtime ‘house head’ or new to the scene, everyone’s invited to join us for a weekend of music, dance, and community.” 

On Friday, Aug. 22, the festival heads outdoors to Grant Park’s Spirit of Music Garden for Chicago House at SummerDance. Daytime programming will include dance masterclasses led by professional instructors inside the Dance Studio at the Chicago Cultural Center. The evening will feature additional dance lessons and DJ sets by Vince Adams and DJ Lil John in Grant Park.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, the heart of the festival returns to Millennium Park with a daylong celebration across four stages: the Legacy Stage at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Soulful House Stage, the Chicago House Stage and the Groove Garden Stage. The event will also feature youth workshops and the Chicago House Dance Summit, offering a mix of family-friendly experiences and a showcase of the genre’s top talents. Mainstage acts providing the soundtrack of the day include Andre and Tony Hatchett of the Chosen Few DJs, DJ Pharris Thomas, Waxmaster, Tyree Cooper, Ralphi Rosario and more.  

On Sunday, Aug. 24, Wind Down: House on the Riverwalk offers music lovers a laid-back afternoon of grooves along the Confluence of the Chicago River, featuring DJ Jerome Baker and Julio Bishop. 

For the full event lineup and additional information, visit ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us or follow on Instagram (@chicagodcase), Facebook and X for the latest updates. The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference is presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), with sponsorship from Millennium Garages and the Chicago Transit Authority, and additional support from the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation and the Millennium Park Foundation.

For accessibility accommodations, including ASL interpretation, please contact DCASE at dcase@cityofchicago.org by August 18, 2025.

CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE 2025: SCHEDULE & LINEUP

THURSDAY, AUG. 21
Chicago House Music Conference + Cultural Center Open House
4-10 p.m. Chicago Cultural Center

House Dance Summit Spotlight (GAR Hall)

• 4 p.m. – Doors Open + House DJ set by TribeCago
• 4:30 p.m. – All Ages / Family-Friendly House Dance Lesson led by Jus.Be House Collective
  • Instructor: Jeremiah “JJ” Green (Jus.Be House Collective / BraveSoul Movement)
• 5:45 p.m. – Panel Discussion: This Is Our House: A Discussion Bridging Past, Present, & Future of Chicago House
  • Moderated by Jus.Be House Collective, Creative Netwerk, and BraveSoul Movement
  • Panelists: Dayvette (House-O-Matics), Terrayne (Main Attraction), Raw Hat and Fathom
• 7 p.m. – Open Dance with TribeCago + Body:House Dance Summit Pre-Qualifiers
  • Judges: BraveMonk, Twan Twan, Lil Bit, Wyatt “Willard” Sutter, Fathom and PrinceJron (HAVOC)

Chicago House Music Conference (Preston Bradley Hall, 5th Floor Millennium Park and Washington Rooms)
All Panels Free and Open to the Public

• 5:30-6:30 p.m., Millennium Park Room
  Panel: Community, Collaboration & Cross-Pollination
  This panel explores how House Music artists, organizers, and communities can break out of silos to foster deeper connections within the scene and across genres. From Techno and Hip-Hop to World Music, we’ll spotlight efforts to cross-pollinate styles, build lasting collaborations, and strengthen DIY networks that fuel the culture.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m., Washington Room
  Panel: The Creative Process, Purpose & Production in House Music
  What drives the creative process in House music? This session dives into how artists find their purpose, balance intuition and intentionality, and craft sonic spaces that feel authentic. We’ll also explore how emerging technologies—especially AI—are reshaping production workflows and artistic inspiration.
• 6:15-7:30 p.m., Preston Bradley Hall
  Panel: Bridging Generations: Legacy, Lineage & New Directions House music’s legacy is rich—but how is it passed down? This intergenerational conversation looks at the tensions and opportunities between originators and rising artists. From mentorship to misalignment, we’ll examine what it takes to preserve the genre’s roots while creating space for future evolution.
• 6:45-7:45 p.m., Washington Room
  Panel: Marketing, Monetization & the Musician Strategist
  Today’s artist is also a strategist. This panel unpacks how musicians can effectively market their work, build audiences in the digital age, and tap into alternative revenue streams—from live shows and merchandise to sync licensing, NFTs, and beyond.
• 6:45-7:45 p.m., Millennium Park Room
  Panel: Chicago Nightlife & Bars: Culture, Gentrification & DIY Spaces
  As the landscape of Chicago nightlife changes, how can dance music culture survive and thrive? Join us as we unpack the pressures facing independent venues, the role of DIY spaces as cultural incubators, and how nightlife responds to shifting economics, demographics, and daytime audiences.
• 8-9 p.m., Preston Bradley Hall 
  Fireside Keynote Conversation with Patrice Rushen
  An intimate, in-depth conversation with Patrice Rushen, a luminary of the House Music Industry.

FRIDAY, AUG. 22
Chicago House Music Festival at SummerDance
Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park | Dance Studio, Chicago Cultural Center

• 2-3:30 p.m. – Daytime Master Class | Dance Studio
  • Instructor: Twan (BraveSoul Movement)
• 4-5:30 p.m. – Daytime Master Class | Dance Studio
  • Instructors: Tre Daniels (Jus.Be House Collective / Circle Theory), Wyatt “Willard” Sutter
• 6-6:30 p.m. – House Dance Lesson at SummerDance | Spirit of Music Garden
  • Led by: BraveSoul Movement
• 6:30-9 p.m. – DJs Vince Adams & Lil John | Spirit of Music Garden
  • Hosted by Toni Shelton

SATURDAY, AUG. 23
Chicago House Music Festival and House Dance Summit
1-9 p.m., Jay Pritzker Pavilion + three additional stages throughout Millennium Park
Four Stages of Programming + Dance Summit + Youth Workshops

Pritzker Pavilion – Legacy Stage (Main Stage)

• 1 p.m. – Tony and Andre Hatchett
• 2:30 p.m. – DJ Pharris Thomas
• 3:30 p.m. – Boolumaster
• 4:30 p.m. – Waxmaster
• 5:30 p.m. – Tyree Cooper
• 6:30 p.m. – White Knight
• 7 p.m. – Dj Psycho B****
• 8 p.m. – Ralphi Rosario

Soulful House Stage (North Promenade)

• 1-4 p.m. – Chicago House Dance Summit* (Below for details)
• 4-5 p.m. – Tommaso
• 5-6 p.m. – Party Called Tribe
• 6-7 p.m. – Fortune
• 7-8 p.m. – CTRLZORA
• 8-9 p.m. – Shaun J. Wright

Chicago House Stage (South Promenade)

• 1 p.m. – DJ Phats
• 2 p.m. – John Simmons
• 3 p.m. – Jordan Fields
• 4 p.m. – Zsa Zsa
• 5 p.m. – Stacy Kidd
• 6 p.m. – CZR
• 7 p.m. – Bear Who?
• 8 p.m. – DJ Threejay x Patrick Wayne feat. PAMP

Groove Garden Stage (Double Clutch Beer Garden)

• 1 p.m. – Groovin Kiki
• 2 p.m. – Randall Dean
• 3 p.m. – DJ Hi-Speed
• 4 p.m. – Emanual Pippin
• 5 p.m. – T. Mixwell
• 6 p.m. – Quicktastic
• 7 p.m. – Lovebug
• 8 p.m. – Specter

Chicago House Dance Summit – North Promenade Tent
Join Chicago House Music Festival for a vibrant gathering of dancers of all levels, DJs, and House culture lovers in celebrating the art and history of House Dance through youth and community engagement programs like workshops, demonstrations, and dance tournament.
1-4 p.m.

• 1-4 p.m. – Coloring Station by Creative Netwerk
• 1 p.m. - Youth & Family Dance Workshop
• 1:30 p.m. – Footwork OG Freestyle Exhibition – “Get-Down Showcase”
• 1:45 p.m. – Footwork Crew Showcase + New Generation Exhibition Battle
• 2:30-4 p.m. – Body: House Dance Summit – Tournament Finals by Jus.Be House Collective
  • Judges: BraveMonk, Twan Twan, Lil Bit, Wyatt Sutter, Fathom and Prince Jron (HAVOC)
  • DJs: DJ Vadar & SBU Beats

SUNDAY, AUG. 24
Wind Down: House on the Riverwalk
A relaxed session of music after three days of festivities. Bring blankets and chairs and enjoy the scenic views of The Confluence, where the Main, North, and South Branches of the Chicago River meet over groove-injected House beats.
1-5 pm., Chicago Riverwalk - The Confluence

• 1-3 p.m. – DJ Jerome Baker
• 3-5 p.m. – Julio Bishop

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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
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 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 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.