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spring awakening 2018
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan

The best summer concerts in Chicago

Find the best summer concerts with our guide to music festivals, outdoor gigs and free shows throughout Chicago

Zach Long
Written by
Zach Long
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In Chicago, there's no greater blessing than the arrival of warm weather and the commencement of summer concert season. No matter what type of live music you prefer—whether it's festivals, gigs at Chicago music venues or free shows in Millennium Park—the summer months are packed with options. Heck, the only thing more seasonable than a meal at an outdoor restaurant is a picnic on the lawn at Ravinia. Before your calendar gets too full, take a look at our summer concert calendar and start plotting out all of the acts you want to see before October arrives and the parties head indoors again.

The best summer concerts

June concert calendar

June concert calendar

Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and a slew of street festivals kick off summer concert season

Top summer music festivals

Mamby on the Beach

Mamby on the Beach

Party on the beach with indie rockers, hip-hop emcees and electronic acts

Taste of Chicago

Taste of Chicago

After you're done feasting, cap off your meal with a free concert

Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza

Four days of gigantic headlining acts, huge crowds and long walks across Grant Park

Riot Fest

Riot Fest

Say goodbye to summer with punk rockers, new wave bands, metal acts and more

Free summer concerts