Live Music in Chicago
Jazz, DJs, bands, basements. Anything with a stage.
ARC Music Festival
ARC Music Festival brings Chicago's underground electronic scene above ground—this is where the city's most respected selectors (think Green Velvet, Honey Dijon, Carl Craig) command massive sound systems across Union Park. You'll experience three days of techno, house, and experimental beats in a festival setup that feels more intimate than massive, with the kind of lineup that attracts serious dancers and curious newcomers alike.
Josh Rouse at Old Town School
Singer-songwriter Josh Rouse. Indie folk. 8PM Friday.
Motley Crue at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Hair metal legends Motley Crue at Tinley Park. Shout at the Devil, Dr. Feelgood, Girls Girls Girls.
Lynyrd Skynyrd at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd. Free Bird at Tinley Park.
Big Thief
Big Thief's bringing that hypnotic, guitar-driven indie folk-rock to Salt Shed's sprawling Goose Island space—the kind of performance where you'll find yourself completely absorbed by Adrianne Lenker's haunting vocals and the band's intricate arrangements. This all-ages show lets you catch one of the most compelling songwriters of our generation in a venue that actually does justice to their dynamics, whether you're posted up in the indoor theater or catching the warm evening air in the outdoor fairground.
John Doe and Exene Cervenka at Old Town School
X founders John Doe and Exene Cervenka perform acoustic sets. Punk legends unplugged. 8PM Saturday.
Ten Cat Swing Summer Series Finale at Banging Gavel
Swing and acoustic jazz night at Banging Gavel Brews. Sophisticated, intimate, soulful. Upscale brewpub menu and charcuterie. 6:30-9:30PM Thursday.
Alison Wonderland at Concord Music Hall
Australian DJ and producer Alison Wonderland brings bass-heavy electronic sets to Concord.
Cruising The Waves Yacht Party
You're floating down the Chicago River and out onto Lake Michigan while a top-shelf open bar keeps the good times flowing—and then Navy Pier's fireworks explode across the skyline right in front of you. This inaugural yacht experience pairs live DJs, dinner, and unobstructed water views with the kind of vantage point landlubbers will never have.
Avenged Sevenfold at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Heavy metal titans Avenged Sevenfold at Tinley Park.
Lollapalooza 2026
Four days of the biggest names in music take over Grant Park for Lollapalooza 2026. 170+ bands across 8 stages, street food, after-shows at venues acr
Guns N' Roses at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Guns N' Roses rock legends at Tinley Park. One of the biggest rock bands of all time.
90s House Music Vinyl Tribute
Free outdoor riverside DJ set at Ping Tom Park pagoda in Chinatown. 90s house music on vinyl with scenic river views. 6:30-9:30 PM.
The Crazy & Spontaneous Tour at Riddles
Runnin' Outta Time with Jnine Comedy Special. Two nights featuring Shamika Finley, John David, Big Herc, and live performances. $25 cash cover. 21+ wi
& Juliet: The Musical
& Juliet flips Shakespeare's tragedy into a fever dream of pure pop euphoria—imagine Juliet center stage, taking control of her own story while Max Martin's greatest hits soundtrack every defiant moment. You'll spend two hours in the Loop's architectural masterpiece, The Auditorium Theatre, watching a cast that moves like they're powered by pure adrenaline, as decades of pop bangers (we're talking Britney, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande) propel a narrative that's equal parts romance and rebellion.
Creed, Cypress Hill, and Limp Bizkit at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Rock and hip-hop nostalgia triple bill. Creed, Cypress Hill, and Limp Bizkit together at Tinley Park.
Orland Park Summer Brewfest and Food Truck Rally
Craft beer fest with 15+ food trucks, microbrewery sampling pavilions, and live music at the Civic Center. 4-10PM Saturday.
Silver Room Block Party
The Silver Room Block Party takes over Salt Shed's sprawling Goose Island grounds with 40 performances across indoor and outdoor stages—expect everything from emerging local acts to established names, all while 20 Chicago vendors set up shop around you. The fairground vibe means you've got room to breathe, skip between stages, and actually grab food without missing the headliners.
Bucktown Garden Walk and Block Party
Community arts, live music, craft food vendors, honey tastings, and beer gardens centered at Churchill Park. Lively, welcoming, open-air. Mid-summer w
Live Stepping under the Stars
Free outdoor community stepping and dance in Englewood. Soulful, smooth vibes for a mature crowd. 6-9 PM.
Pitchfork Music Festival 2026
Three days of indie, hip-hop, and electronic music curated by Pitchfork in Union Park. Smaller than Lolla, weirder than Riot Fest, and exactly the vib
Meghan Trainor at United Center
Pop superstar Meghan Trainor's arena tour stops at the United Center.
Splou Yorkcity Live at Riddles
Splou Yorkcity takes the Riddles stage for a Sunday afternoon set. 5 PM showtime. $25 cash cover.
90s R&B Sing-A-Long Interactive Lounge
90s R&B sing-along with candle crafting in Logan Square. BYOB-friendly, nostalgic, interactive.
East Side Eats Festival
Community cookout and live music at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox grounds on the East Side. Traditional neighborhood comfort food, grilled dishes, and f
Chosen Few Picnic & House Music Festival
Chicago's legendary soulful house music celebration at Jackson Park. The original house music picnic — massive grounds, soul food trucks, and dancing
Blue Violet Late-Night Social
High-energy Latin and Afrobeat social at Hubbard Inn in River North. Weekly recurring Friday midnight track with elite cocktail mixology and VIP table
BAPA Summer Porch Concert Series
Live open-air neighborhood concerts on Beverly's Western Avenue. Intimate acoustic performances in a bring-your-own-chair setting. Recurring summer se
Square Roots Craft Brew & Music Festival
Live indie music and craft brewery festival in Lincoln Square. Over 40 regional craft beer taps, local food vendors, and three days of music. Runs thr
Willis Tower Terrace Summer Concerts
Free high-rise rooftop live concerts at the Catalog terrace at Willis Tower. Upscale downtown summer vibes.
Dehd at Old Town School
Chicago indie rock band Dehd. 8PM Thursday.
Interactive Salsa & Bachata Dance Lesson
Free salsa and bachata dance lesson and social at Humboldt Park Boathouse Pavilion. 6-8:30 PM. All levels welcome.
Evanescence at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Amy Lee and Evanescence bring gothic rock to Tinley Park's outdoor amphitheater.
Taste of Chicago 2026
Chicago's legendary food festival returns to Grant Park with five days of the city's best restaurants, food trucks, and pop-ups. Free admission to the
Giordano Dance Chicago: Ignite the Soul
Modern jazz dance performance by Giordano Dance Chicago at the Harris Theater. Kinetic, soulful, and inspiring.
Louis Tomlinson at Allstate Arena
Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson on his solo world tour.
Ashley Walls Country-Pop Fest and Fireworks at Harmony Square
Holiday country concert with fireworks at Harmony Square. Festive, loud, all-American. Food trucks and beverage tents. 7:30PM Friday.
International Festival of Life — Reggae & World Music
World, Afrobeat, and reggae concerts at Union Park running the entire Fourth of July weekend. Authentic Jamaican jerk pits, West African cuisine, and
Hair
Kokandy Productions brings the psychedelic rock opera that defined a generation to Wicker Park's intimate Chopin Theatre—expect tie-dye energy, anti-establishment anthems, and a cast that'll have you questioning everything by intermission. This isn't a museum piece; it's a full-throttle dive into '60s rebellion with modern relevance that hits harder than you'd think.
Midweek Jazzin' at the Shedd
Premium lakefront jazz cocktail series at the Shedd Aquarium. Wednesday after-hours with live jazz, upscale drinks, and aquatic ambiance. Recurring we
of Montreal with CorMae at Thalia Hall
Indie-pop pioneers of Montreal bring their kaleidoscopic live show to Thalia Hall with CorMae. Eclectic, psychedelic, and always surprising. Doors 7 P
Madison Beer: Locket World Tour at Aragon Ballroom
Platinum-certified pop artist Madison Beer at the historic Aragon Ballroom.
D'Andre Adonis Live at Bookclub Chicago
18+ indie rap and alternative concert. Hip, alternative, loud, energetic. Underground stage. 8PM Sunday.
Tiny Desk Contest On The Road at Thalia Hall
NPR's Tiny Desk Contest On The Road 2026 comes to Thalia Hall with Cure For Paranoia, Lamis, and Tromblau & Friends. A celebration of undiscovered tal
Maxwell Street Market Summer Series
Free historic open-air flea and food market on South Halsted. Famous Mexican street food stalls, hand-pressed tacos, and live DJs. Every Sunday.
Horse Meat Disco: Pride
Horse Meat Disco takes over Metro's Wrigleyville stage for Pride weekend, and you're walking into the kind of queer disco institution that's built a cult following across continents—think euphoric breakbeats, relentless energy, and a crowd that actually knows how to dance. Metro's historic bones (the same stage that's hosted decades of live acts) transform into pure disco hedonism for the night, where the dance floor becomes its own thing entirely.
Josh Groban with Jennifer Hudson at Allstate Arena
Two powerhouse vocalists share the stage at Allstate Arena.
Weird Al Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder Tour at United Center
The undisputed king of comedy songs returns with his Bigger & Weirder 2026 tour.
Rachel Z and Lenny White at Martyrs'
Jazz legends Rachel Z and Lenny White bring the Generations Deconstructed Tour to Martyrs' with The Rock 'N' Roll Collective. $35 adv / $45 doors. All
Orland Park 80s Rock Night at Centennial Park
Free outdoor 80s tribute band concert at Centennial Park Amphitheater. Casual, lively, open-air. Local food trucks, beer booths. 7PM Saturday.
Live Music venues
115 Bourbon Street
360 Chicago
57th Street Art Fair
Adobe Gilas
Alice's Lounge
aliveOne
Allstate Arena
Andy's Jazz Club
Anita Dee II Yacht
Apollo Theater Chicago
Aragon Ballroom
Arena Lanes
Artango Bar & Steakhouse
Art Institute of Chicago
Ascend Cannabis Dispensary Tinley Park
Ascend Cannabis - Logan Square
Ascend Cannabis - River North
Avondale Music Hall
Bandit
Banging Gavel Brews at The Vogt House
BaseCamp Pub
BASSLINE
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
