Chicago Jazz Festival

The Chicago Jazz Festival is a free music festival that takes place at the end of summer every year. Musicians from all over the world perform in the heart of downtown Chicago for thousands of jazz music fans.

Here’s everything you need to know about this premier jazz festival in Chicago.

Related: Find more free things to do in Chicago.

Chicago Jazz Festival

When is the Chicago Jazz Festival?

The fest takes place the week leading up to and including Labor Day weekend. In 2020, that’s August 28 – September 6.

History of the Chicago Jazz Festival

The Chicago Jazz Festival began because Chicagoans love their jazz so much there were going to be three different festivals dedicated to the genre in August.

In 1974 a festival was organized as an homage to Duke Ellington. The legendary musician had passed away and fans wanted to honor his memory and the legacy he left behind.

Four years later another festival was hosted to honor another jazz great, John Coltrane. Then the following year, in 1979, the Jazz Institute of Chicago started planning another event.

At this point the Chicago Office of Special Events joined in and combined the three festivals into one week-long event featuring free jazz performances.

The festival continues to celebrate jazz for an entire week, and now adds free neighborhood performances throughout the summer to its end of summer roster.

Past Performers at the Chicago Jazz Festival

Like all of Chicago’s free music festivals, the performers at the Chicago Jazz Festival are some of the best in the world.

Past performers include Benny Goodman, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, BB King, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Sarah Vaughan.

A look at the lineup from previous years is like looking at a timeline of jazz greats.

Related: more Chicago events

Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule

2020 Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule TBA

Where is this Labor Day weekend tradition?

Historically the Chicago Jazz Festival was located on the grounds of Grant Park with performances in the Petrillo Band Shell.

In 2013 the festival moved to Millennium Park and the acoustically engineered Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

The majority of the performances on Labor Day weekend take place in the park.

On the days leading up to the fest, additional free concerts are hosted at venues throughout the city, including Links Hall and the venerable Green Mill.

Food & Drink at the Chicago Jazz Festival

Concession stands offering food, beer and wine are available at the festival. A concession tent offers refreshment to the east of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

There are additional vendors and concession carts on the Chase Promenade.

You can also bring a picnic basket and there are several nearby places to pick up items for your picnic. Pastoral Wine and Cheese on Lake Street is a great place to pick up items.

Mariano’s is a grocery store north of Millennium Park that offers prepared meals. Park Grill and Cafe is a restaurant located in the park itself and they also provide picnic items.

You can even bring in your own beer and wine, but you can only drink them on the Great Lawn.

Check out tips on packing a perfect picnic

What You Can’t Bring to Millennium Park

While you can bring in food, drink, blankets and chairs to enjoy on the Great Lawn of Millennium Park, don’t bring stakes or large umbrellas.

The lawn has an extensive irrigation system so you’re not allowed to stick anything into the ground. That means that flag poles, tents and canopies are also out of the question.

Other things you can’t bring are barbecue grills, candles, fireworks, or anything with an open flame. Pets are also not allowed except for service animals. Smoking is not allowed anywhere within Millennium Park.

Find out more about Millennium Park

Getting to Millennium Park

Millennium Park is easily accessible via public transportation. Buses run up and down Michigan Avenue, the El is just a couple of blocks away, and the Metra Electric Line runs right under Millennium Park.

If you drive into the festival the Millennium Garages are the closest parking and there are several other garages in the area. Check out the map below for discounted parking.

Hotels near Millennium Park

Looking for a place to stay that’s close to the action? We’ve got a few favorite hotels in downtown Chicago, including Radisson Blu Aqua, Chicago Athletic Association, and Palmer House Hilton.

The Chicago Jazz Festival is the perfect way to finish summer in Chicago. The free performances feature some of the best musicians in the world, and Millennium Park is an ideal location to soak in the music.

All photos courtesy Chicago DCASE