Free Chicagoland Concerts in August

Summer may be winding down, but Chicagoland’s outdoor concert season is still going strong.

From downtown Chicago to the northern and northwestern suburbs, there are plenty of free performances still on the calendar after August 8. Whether you prefer live music at Millennium Park, a neighborhood concert in the suburbs, or a weekend evening at Navy Pier, there are options for nearly every schedule.

We rounded up the free concerts still to come this summer, including dates, locations, and recurring concert series throughout the city and suburbs. Before heading out, be sure to check the event’s official website for weather updates or schedule changes.

Chicago

• August 9:
  LatiNxt Festival continues at Navy Pier with free live music celebrating Latin American culture.

• Monday, August 10 at 6:15 p.m.:
  Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

• Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m.:
  Grant Park Music Festival presents Dvořák’s New World Symphony at Millennium Park.

• Friday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 15 at 7:30 p.m.:
  Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 closes the Grant Park Music Festival season at Millennium Park.

• Sunday, August 23 at 7 p.m.:
  Sunday in the Park with Lyric, featuring Ryan Opera Center artists and the Lyric Opera Orchestra at Millennium Park. No tickets required.

• August 27–30:
  Chicago House Music Festival and Conference, with free performances at Millennium Park and other downtown locations.

• September 3–6:
  Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park.

• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 7:
  Live on the Lake at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. Friday and Saturday music runs from 4:30–9:45 p.m.; Sundays from 3–8:15 p.m.

Northern Suburbs

• Skokie — Sunday, August 9 from 6–8:30 p.m.:
  Billy Elton, a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute, with Jeanie B opening at Devonshire Park.

• Morton Grove — Tuesday, August 11 from 5–8 p.m.:
  Back-to-School Bash featuring Student Body at Harrer Park.

• Morton Grove — Tuesday, August 18 from 7–8:30 p.m.:
  Classical Blast at Harrer Park Pavilion, 6250 Dempster Street.

• Vernon Hills — Thursday, August 13 from 7–9 p.m.:
  Beyond the Blonde at the Vernon Hills Memorial Arbortheater.

Northwestern Suburbs

• Arlington Heights — Thursday, August 13
  Motown Nation at Harmony Park.

• Arlington Heights — Thursday, August 20
  The Disco Circus.

• Arlington Heights — Thursday, August 27
  The Blooze Brothers.

  Arlington Heights’ The Sounds of Summer concerts are free and open to all ages. They run from 7-8:30pm every Thursday in August.
  

• Des Plaines — Thursday, August 13:
  Classical Blast

• Des Plaines — Wednesday, August 19:
  The Messengers
  
  Des Plaines concerts are held in Lake Park at 2200 Lee Street. Activities begin at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m.
  

• Schaumburg — Saturday, August 15 at 7 p.m.:
  Sixteen Candles.

• Schaumburg — Saturday, August 22 at 7 p.m.:
  Classical Blast.

• Schaumburg — Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m.:
  Shining Star. All are part of the free Summer Breeze series at the Al Larson Prairie Center.
  

• Rosemont — Thursday, August 13 from 7–10 p.m.:
  Echos of Pompeii, a Pink Floyd tribute.

• Rosemont — Thursday, August 20 from 7–10 p.m.:
  Southern Accents, a Tom Petty tribute.

• Rosemont — Thursday, August 27 from 7–10 p.m.:
  No Quarter, a Led Zeppelin tribute.

• Rosemont — Friday, August 28 from 7–10 p.m.:
  Bee Gees Gold and The Wayouts.
  
  Rosemont Rockin’ in the Park takes place at Parkway Bank Park, and Thursday concerts include musical fireworks.

Dates and performers are subject to change. Check the event’s official page for weather updates before attending.