2020 EVENTS YEAR OF CHICAGO MUSIC CELEBRATION Millennium Park & Citywide chicago.gov/music This new 18-day citywide celebration of Chicago’s music scene is anchored by the House, Gospel, and Blues music festivals, plus events at clubs and venues throughout the city. JUNE CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL Millennium Park & Neighborhood Venues chicagobluesfestival.us More than 100 international performers pay homage to Chicago’s rich music tradition during the largest free blues festival in the world. JAMES BEARD AWARDS GALA Lyric Opera House choosechicago.com/jbf Known as the Oscars of the food world, this culinary awards show honors renowned chefs and restaurateurs from around the country. NAVY PIER AON SUMMER FIREWORKS Navy Pier navypier.org Spectacular fireworks synchronized to music illuminate the sky over Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday evening from Memorial Day through Labor Day. NBA DRAFT LOTTERY & COMBINE Downtown Chicago nba.com For the third year in a row, Chicago hosts the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery, followed by the multi-day annual Draft Combine showcase. TASTE OF MEXICO Little Village littlevillagechamber.org Chicago’s largest Mexican neighborhood celebrates its heritage with food from local restaurants, live music, arts and crafts, and more. CHICAGO FRIDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS Citywide chicagofridaynightflights.com Beer tasting, live music, and food are all part of this annual summertime series that showcases the best of Chicago’s craft brewing scene. CHICAGO PRIDE FEST & PARADE Boystown chicagopride.gopride.com Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride with a weekend fest of live music and drag shows, leading up to a colorful parade the following Sunday. CHICAGO SUMMERDANCE Grant Park & Citywide chicagosummerdance.org Dancers of all ages are welcome to join in free one-hour dance lessons with professional instructors, followed by live music and more dancing. MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER MUSIC & FILM SERIES Millennium Park millenniumpark.org Picnic on the lawn or sit near the stage and enjoy free concerts and movies all summer long at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Chicago Pride Parade SOFA Chicago CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL Millennium Park & Neighborhood Venues chicagohousemusicfestival.us This 5th annual free festival features DJs and live performances celebrating all styles of the house music genre that was born in Chicago. CHICAGO MEMORIAL DAY PARADE State St., from Lake St. to Van Buren St. cityofchicago.org/dcase Preceded by a wreath laying ceremony, one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation honors those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. FIFTH THIRD BANK BIKE THE DRIVE Lake Shore Drive bikethedrive.org Lake Shore Drive — Chicago’s crown jewel roadway — is cleared of traffic so cyclists can enjoy nearly five hours of carefree pedaling along the city’s scenic lakeshore. ILLINOIS CRAFT BEER WEEK Citywide illinoisbeer.org Chicago upholds its title as the nation’s craft brewery capital during this week-long festival of events held in breweries, bars, and restaurants across the city. 10 choosechicago.com (THIS PAGE) TOP TO BOTTOM: ADAM ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY; SOFA CHICAGO; (FACING PAGE) BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
Chicago Visitors Guide 2020: Page 10
