One of the best things about summer is being able to listen to live bands, outside, with the kids in tow. Whether it be at a park, the beach, or a festival, let the music soothe your savage beasts, while you perhaps enjoy a cocktail, and socialize with your neighbors.
We've gathered up some of our favorite family friendly concert venues this summer and beyond for every day of the week.
Free Concerts in the Park
Millenium Park Summer Concert Series - The Loop
201 E. Randolph St
Mondays and Thursdays June 15 - August 6: 6:30pm-9:00pm (Gates open at 5:00pm)
Millennium Park Summer Music Series features a wide variety of music from established and emerging artists at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Headliners listed first:
June 25: Patrice Rushen, Sparklmami, and DJ Shon Dervis
June 29: Sir Chloe, Venus & The Flytraps, and DJ Jill Hopkins
July 16: Marcos Valle, Daniel Villarreal, and DJ Clarke Quente
July 27: Aterciopelados, La Rosa Noir, and Lumpen Radio DJs
August 3: The Budos Band, Zeshan B, and Radius
August 6: GRAMMY Legacies And Looking Ahead featuring Lila Iké, Matt B, and DJ Blair Elise
Old Town School of Folk Music - Lakeview
Gallagher Way - 3635 N. Clark St
Select Tuesday mornings: 10am
Join the Old Town School of Folk Music on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. for kid-friendly live music, movement, and more! All ages are welcome! Following the music, bring a blanket and hang out on the greenspace to watch a kid-friendly movie on the Gallagher Way videoboard. Movies start at 11 a.m.
June 30 - Artists: Laura Doherty & Rob Newhouse - Movie: Wish
July 7 - Artists: Max Berg & Stella Childs - Movie: Finding Dory
July 14 - Artists: Carey Farrell & Susanna Pineda - Movie: Ratatouille
July 21 - Artists: Will Carlson & Julie Helenius - Movie: Smurfs (2025)
July 28 - Artists: Skylar Grieco & Stella Childs - Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
August 4 - Artists: Will Fancher & Carey Farrell - Movie: Madagascar
August 11 - Artists: Maryanne Johnson & Little Miss Ann - Movie: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
August 18 - Artists: Lenny Marsh & Mars Carlton - Movie: Wreck It Ralph
August 25 - Artists: Little Miss Ann & Lenny Marsh - Movie: Surf's Up
September 1 - Artists: Will Fancher & Gloria Leung - Movie: Luca
September 8 - Artists: Will Carlson & Susanna Pineda - Movie: Gnomeo & Juliet
September 15 - Artists: Rachel Botz & Julie Helenius - Movie: Encanto
September 22 - Artists: Renee Nanzer & Mars Carlton - Movie: Coco
September 29 - Artists: Skylar Grieco & Amanda Payne - Movie: The Lion King
Summer Concerts Series - Northcenter
Northcenter Town Square - 4100 N. Damen Ave
Wednesdays: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Bring a chair, invite your neighbors, and get to know some new ones at the annual Summer Concert Series! Face painting will also be available starting at $3 per face.
July 8 - The Polkaholics
July 15 - Windy City Winds
July 22 - The Black Oil Brothers
July 29 - Big Shoulders Brass Band
August 5 - Dust Bunnies
August 12 - wht.rbbt.obj
Summer Concert Series - Lincoln Square
Giddings Plaza - 4731 N Lincoln Ave
Thursdays June 11 - August 13: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
The Summer Concert Series, Lincoln Square's favorite free summer event, returns (finally!) for a limited run! Swing by Giddings Plaza between 6:00pm - 8:30pm (weather permitting) to hear the sweet sounds of local Chicago musicians.
June 25: Nikki O'Neill Band (Americana/Soul singer, songwriter, guitarist with dynamic voice & band)
July 9: Ella Grzeca (Singer/songwriter influenced by Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, and Joanna Newsom)
July 16: The Very Least (Groove-heavy indie, soul, funk, pop, and rock)
July 23: Would You Kindly? (Powerful, Female-Fronted, Indie and Alternative rock)
July 30: Diamondback (Country, Americana, Rock and Blues)
August 6: The Noize (Not your cookie cutter cover band! Rock, Pop & Oldies you know and love)
August 13: Skip Class and The Dropouts (Fun, Upbeat Group with Originals & Genre-bending Covers)
Food and Fun
Beat Kitchen - Roscoe Village
2100 W. Belmont
Bluegrass Brunch
Saturday June 27: 11am-2pm (11am Show)
Rotating sets from Chicago's finest bluegrass ensembles accompanied by, you guessed is, BRUNCH! Seating is first come first serve.
Sunday Spotlight Brunch
Sunday June 28: 11:30am-2pm (11:30am Show)
Free live music and fun accompanied by brunch!
The Dock at Montrose Beach - Lakeshore
200 W. Montrose Harbor Dr
Live Music 7 days a week at 7pm
The Dock is more than just a sandy getaway from your day in the sun at Montrose Beach; it is a hub for late night luaus, delicious bites and live music throughout the summer! Kids can play in the sand within eye sight or hit the dance floor.
June 23: Jam Night by Breezy LIVE!
June 24: Jacob on the Moon LIVE!
June 25: Kevin Lee & The Kings LIVE!
June 26: Crooked Moon LIVE!
June 27: U2 Tribute Chicago LIVE!
June 28: Shea Butta Band LIVE!
June 29: Rio Bamba LIVE!
June 30: Jam Night by Breezy LIVE!
July 1: Jacob on the Moon LIVE!
July 2: Discount Vinyl LIVE!
July 3: Hugo LIVE!
July 4: Midnight Hour LIVE!
July 5: Annie & the Orphans LIVE!
July 6: Rio Bamba LIVE!
July 7: Jam Night by Breezy LIVE!
July 8: Jacob on the Moon LIVE!
July 9: Eric Brown LIVE!
July 10: Soul Daddy LIVE!
July 11: Northside LIVE!
July 12: Luke Davis LIVE!
Stay tuned for more dates or visit The Dock's website.
Street Festivals
Lakeview Taco Fest: August 21st-23rd
August 21st
| Roscoe South Stage Lineup: 6:00pm - Y2K 7:00pm - Boy Band Review | Addison North Stage Lineup: 6:00pm - Super Creeps: Music of David Bowie 8:00pm - Too Fighters: Foo Fighters Tribute |
August 22nd
| Roscoe South Stage Lineup: 11:30am - UpBeat Music & Arts Academy 1:00pm - The Strangers: Music of The Cure 3:00pm - Funky Monks: Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute 5:30pm - The Rumours Five: Fleetwood Mac Tribute 8:00pm - 16 Candles | Addison North Stage Lineup: 1:00pm - Mariachi Los Palmeros 2:30pm - RAVIV - Electric Cellos 4:30pm - Love In October 6:00pm - Into The Heart - U2 Tribute 8:00pm - Maggie Speaks |
August 23rd
| Roscoe South Stage Lineup: 11:30am - Mariachi Los Palmeros 1:00pm - The Prissillas 2:30pm - Chicago Latin Groove 4:30pm - The Divas 7:00pm - Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press | Addison North Stage Lineup: 11:30am - School of Rock 1:30pm - Bucket Number Six 3:00pm - Cecy Santana Band 5:00pm - Rearview: Pearl Jam Tribute 7:00pm - iPop |
Roscoe Village Burger Fest: July 17th-19th
July 17th
Damen Stage Entertainment: 6:00pm - Second Hand Soul Band |
July 18th
Damen Stage Entertainment: 12:30pm - School of Rock | Leavitt Stage Entertainment: 12:45pm - Rosie & The Rivets2:30pm - The Prissillas 3:30pm - Jesse White Tumblers 4:00pm - Live Band Karaoke 6:00pm - Rearview - Pearl Jam Tribute 8:00pm - Mr. Blotto |
July 19th
Damen Stage Entertainment: 12:30pm - UpBeat Music & Arts Academy2:00pm - The Wild Chicago 3:30pm - Jessie's Girl 5:30pm - The Divas 7:30pm - 16 Candles | Leavitt Stage Entertainment: 12:30pm - School of Rock |
Taste of Lincoln Avenue: July 24th-26th
Main Stage @ Fullerton
July 24:
5:45pm - Stache
8:00pm - Maggie Speaks
July 25:
12:30pm - School of Rock
2:00pm - The Strangers
4:00pm - Our Name is Jonas
6:00pm - Li'l Ed & The Blues Imperials
8:00pm - Sixteen Candles
July 26:
12:30pm - Nikki O'Neill Band
2:00pm - Love In October
3:30pm - Fletcher Rockwell
5:30pm - Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press
Irish Eyes Stage: TBA!
Ticketed Events
PorchFest - Roscoe Village
June 28: 1pm-5pm
A neighborhood music festival featuring local musical acts performing across front porches throughout Roscoe Village. Enjoy an intimate live music experience while connecting with neighbors and supporting local musicians. Register on Eventbrite to receive an event guide with the TOP SECRET porch locations and showtimes sent via email the Friday before the program.
Kids Concert Series - Highland Park
Ravinia Festival - 201 Ravinia Park Rd
August 1: Laurie Berkner - Hunter Pavillion
August 8: The Great Lakes: Freshwater Treasure - Sandra K. Crown Theater
August 15: Okee Dokee Brothers - Carousel Stage
August 22: Divi Roxx Kids - Carousel Stage
August 29: Dr. Seuss Goes to the Opera - Martin Theater
