Millennium Park Unveils an Avalanche of Performances and Festivities for Big 20th Anniversary Season Celebration

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced the 2024 Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Summer Season—bringing free world-class arts programming to the Midwest’s number 1 attraction celebrating its milestone anniversary this season. Artist lineups were recently announced for the popular Millennium Park Summer Music Series (most Mondays and Thursdays, July 1 – August 8) featuring some of the biggest names in music including Corinne Bailey Rae, Terrace Martin, Charlie Musselwhite, Buscabulla, GZA, Protoje, Seun Kuti, the NPR Tiny Desk Contest Winner, and others. This seven-part music series showcases a wide range of genres at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Pre-shows for each concert begin at 5:30 p.m.; concerts start at 6:30 p.m.

Additionally, the Chicago Film Office at DCASE announced this year’s Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Tuesdays, July 16 – August 20), presented by Pluto TV, kicking off on the Park’s actual 20th birthday with a special double-feature, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial & Jurassic Park at 6 p.m., followed by a diverse range of award-winning films throughout the summer: Coco, Barbie, American Fiction, Wonka and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Films are shown on a 40-foot LED screen from the Pritzker stage with guests in the seating bowl or on the Great Lawn. Films begin at 6:30 p.m. (with the exception of the July 16 double-feature starting at 6 p.m.). In partnership with the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF), each screening will also showcase one of the many independent film festivals that are a part of Chicago’s vibrant film community.

“Over the last 20 years, Millennium Park has become one of Chicago’s biggest cultural gems, recognized both locally and around the world for its wide breadth of programming, culture and entertainment,” said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “Whether you come from one of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods or you’re one of the millions of visitors to our city each year, we’re excited by what we have in store for you in our 20th Anniversary season.”

As previously announced, kicking off summer in the Park is The iconic Chicago Gospel Music Festival kicked off the summer music schedule on June 1 with GRAMMY-winning headliners The Clark Sisters, Chandler Moore, Todd Dulaney and Anita Wilson. Grant Park Music Festival’s 10-week season (June 12 – August 17) keeps things rolling with leading classical artists performing with the Grant Park Orchestra. Throughout the summer, Millennium Park also features a series of one-night-only special performances showcasing dance, opera, Broadway hits and more, performed by some of Chicago’s best-loved cultural institutions, including the Joffrey Ballet’s Joffrey for All Free Public Performance (June 16); Broadway In Chicago’s Summer Concert (August 12); Lyric Opera’s “Sunday in the Park with Lyric” (August 25), and more.

The City has also announced that it will host special four-day Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration (July 18–21), presented by Capital One, starting Thursday, July 18 with the ¡Súbelo! festival to be headlined by Fruko y Sus Tesos, the popular Latin music group from Colombia, followed by the Grant Park Orchestra in Star Wars and More: the Music of John Williams on Friday, July 19. Academy Award, Emmy and GRAMMY-winning artist, actor, author, activist and South Side native Common performs alongside the Grant Park Orchestra on Saturday, July 20 and the final day features The S&S Chicago Experience, showcasing a diverse and inclusive presentation of house music. Family programming, new public art and on-site activations will take place throughout the celebration, scheduled to take place almost exactly 20 years since the Park’s official opening on July 16, 2004.

Labor Day weekend brings the return of the Chicago Jazz Festival, Thursday, August 29 through Sunday, September 1. The festival showcases Chicago’s local talent alongside national and international artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city’s most beloved art forms. Produced by DCASE and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the schedule will be released in the coming weeks at ChicagoJazzFestival.us.

Returning for its second year, the Millennium Park Residency Program has selected five Chicago cultural organizations to receive funding and resources to present free dynamic programming as part of Millennium Park’s season. It’s a dynamic and eclectic program that fosters much needed visibility and support for a diverse slate of arts organizations. This year’s lineup includes: Experimental Sound Studio (July 13 & August 15); Collaboraction Theatre with Teatro Vista (August 23); Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (August 24); Vocalo Presents (September 20); and Old Town School of Folk Music (September 22).

Construction on Grainger Plaza surrounding Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) in Millennium Park will be completed in the coming weeks. Additionally, new temporary public art will be announced as part of the Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration. DCASE is expected to release details soon..

Millennium Park’s season is produced by DCASE and its programming collaborators, supported by the Millennium Park Foundation and sponsored by Chicago Transit Authority and Millennium Garages. For more information on programming this summer season, visit MillenniumPark.org.