Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Chicago Blues Festival is officially here! 🎸 At noon, head to Millennium Park today through Sunday with FOUR stages of free live music.

Follow along for a weekend celebrating the iconic music genre, including 75 years of Billy Branch, Alligator Records' 55th anniversary, a stirring tribute to blues legends Mama Yancey and Big Mama Thornton and a closing headliner performance from Taj Mahal & the Phantom Band.

Plan your visit by visiting ChicagoBluesFestival.us!

Apply for a Neighborhood Access Program (NAP) grant to fund arts and cultural projects in your community ⭐

It's easy to apply! Submit your idea by July 1, 2026, at noon CT. Visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org to attend an application assistance workshop and apply.

The future DuSable Park and Chicago Riverwalk will soon be home to two major public art installations by Native artists. ✨

In partnership with the Chicago Park District, DCASE announced a new work from artist team Leah Mata Fragua (Northern Chumash) and Cliff Fragua (Jemez Pueblo) for the Honoring Native Voices commission, and banner installation from Jason Wesaw (Potawatomi) for the Chicago Riverwalk Public Art Program.

These large-scale works from national artists further the City of Chicago’s commitment to inclusive public art and commemorative works through the Chicago Monuments Project (CMP). Visit ChicagoMonumentsProject.org for more updates about the initiative and stay tuned for more public art news! 🖼️

DCASE Announces Major Public Art Commissions by Native Artists for DuSable Park and Chicago Riverwalk The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Chicago Park District, today announced two major public art commissions by Native artists that further the City of Chicago’s commitment to inclusive public art and commemorative works through the Chicago Monumen...

Now presenting the 2026 Chicago Jazz Festival headliners! 🎷

Over Labor Day weekend from Thursday, 9/3, to Sunday, 9/6, Millennium Park comes alive with four days of live music featuring internationally acclaimed artists, celebrated Chicago musicians and rising talent. Festival headliners will take over the Jay Pritzker Pavilion including:

September 4: Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater performing with acclaimed pianist Bill Charlap
September 5: genre-defying pianist and producer Robert Glasper
September 6: M.E.B. (Miles Electric Band) celebrating the Miles Davis Centennial
September 7: Grammy-winning clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera

Stay tuned for future lineup announcements and check out ChicagoJazzFestival.us for more event details.

Announcing the hottest lineup in town: Taste of Chicago main stage headliners and food vendors! 🔥

Returning to primetime summer season from July 8-12, Taste of Chicago will bring the heat with genre-spanning performances and over 80 food vendors from a variety of cuisines.

🎤 Legendary R&B singer, songwriter and producer Babyface
🎵 Indie rock pop favorites Beach Bunny
⭐ Chicago hip-hop icon Common
🎸 International Mexican Latin pop-rock sensation Julieta Venegas
🇯🇲 Grammy-winning Reggae singer-songwriter Original Koffee

Visit tasteofchicago.us for more Taste of Chicago details and stay tuned for future event announcements!

T-minus 10 days until our City of Chicago market season begins 🤩

🥬 May 16: Division Street Farmers Market
🛍️ May 17: Maxwell Street
🍅 May 21: Daley Plaza

Full a for list of farmers market vendors, visit ChicagoFarmersMarket.us and check out this year's Maxwell Street lineups at MawellStreetMarket.us. Tell us in the comments what you're looking forward to discovering at your local market!

⭐ Calling all arts nonprofits! NOW OPEN: CityArts applications ⭐

Chicago arts and culture nonprofits of all sizes and artistic disciplines are encouraged to apply for CityArts general operating grants and project grants, if eligible, through June 3.

Visit the CityArts webpage for additional information and the application.

CityArts Program The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Chicago arts and culture nonprofits of all sizes and a...

Join us in Millennium Park this summer for all the fun in the sun! 🌟

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events 2026 Millennium Park Summer Series lineup for workouts, music and film is live! 🌞

Whether you're enjoying a live DJ during yoga, celebrating the 20th anniversary of "The Devil Wears Prada" or jamming to energetic sets of the iconic drummer Sheila E., we've got something for everyone this summer.

View the full schedule at MillenniumPark.org and follow along here for more exciting updates!

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/provdrs/attractions_eventsandexhibitions/news/2026/may/mp.html

📢 ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS:

DCASE visual arts team, in partnership with Chicago Department of Aviation, is currently seeking artists for two site-specific public art commissions at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) for the Concourse level and Baggage Claim level. 🛄

Join the artist information webinar on May 20 to learn more about the opportunities! Deadline to submit is Friday, June 12, so visit the DCASE Public Art page at chicago.gov/DCASE for the application.

It's been an incredible week celebrating Chicago's jazz legacy on a global stage with International Jazz Day, in partnership with Chicago Jazz Alliance and Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz! 🎷

Over the last few days, the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and beyond were activated with live performances, special receptions and educational panels that underscore our city's rich contributions to the city. Chicago's own Herbie Hancock even received a key to the city from Mayor Brandon Johnson!

It all culminates with the live All-Star Global Concert, so join us tonight at 7 p.m. at Lyric Opera of Chicago or tune in to the livestream for the moving sounds of global jazz sensations. 🎺