With warmer weather, there is more happening outdoors in Chicagoland. This summer, families can enjoy making crafts, watching movies and catching a concert at the parks in their area.
Make sure to pack some snacks and a blanket or chair and hit the park early for a great spot to hear some tunes.
Looking for more things to do with kids in Chicagoland? Check out our summer family guide!
Note: Some events are free, while others require a fee for parking or admission. Call ahead to be sure.
City
Old Town School of Folk Music Happy Hour at Gallagher Way
June 20; July 11, 25; Aug. 8, 22; Sept. 12, 26, 2023
- Address: 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a summer concert featuring rock, pop and folk music, free dance lessons and other interactive music experiences. For all ages.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s “Concert for Chicago” in Millennium Park
June 27, 2023
- Address: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy performances of the Andante moderato, written by longtime Chicago resident Florence Price, and Tchaikovsky’s exhilarating Fifth Symphony.
Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park
Aug. 14, 2023
- Address: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Head downtown and hear selections from MJ, Hamilton, the pre-Broadway Chicago premieres of A Wonderful World and The Wiz, Boop! The Musical, which has its World Premiere in Chicago this fall, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Tony Award-winning musical revival Company and Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical. More shows to be announced.
North/Northwestern Suburbs
Music Under The Trees at The Dole – The Throwbacks
May 25, 2023
- Address: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake
- Cost: $25/general admission
Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by The Throwbacks. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.
Music Under The Trees at The Dole – Mellencougar
June 8, 2023
- Address: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake
- Cost: $25/general admission
Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by Mellencougar, a tribute band to John Mellencamp. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.
Kids Concert Series-Ben Tatar at North School Park
June 13, 2023
- Address: 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a kid-friendly concert at North School Park featuring Ben Tatar and the Tatar Tots.
Summer Concert Series at Willow Stream Park
June 13-Aug. 1, 2023 (Tuesdays, except July 4)
- Address: 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a summer concert on Tuesday evenings along with a different local food vendor to buy dinner onsite.
Ralph’s World at Ravinia
June 24, 2023
- Address: 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
- Cost: $15/general admission lawn tickets
See Ralph’s World in concert at the pavilion at Ravinia. This kids concert has a pop/rock vibe.
Kids Concert Series-Miss Jamie’s Farm at North School Park
June 27, 2023
- Address: 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a kid-friendly concert at North School Park featuring the popular music show for young kids with Miss Jamie’s Farm.
National Seminario Ravinia: Orchestras for All Concert with Chicago Philharmonic
July 8, 2023
- Address: 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
- Cost: Free
See students from across the country in concert at the pavilion at Ravinia. This kids concert features classical music.
Music Under The Trees at The Dole – Mike Dangeroux Orchestra
July 13, 2023
- Address: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake
- Cost: $25/general admission
Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by Mike Dangeroux Orchestra. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.
Kids Concert Series-Jeanie B at North School Park
July 18, 2023
- Address: 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a kid-friendly concert at North School Park, which features the singing and dancing with Jeanie B.
Kids Concert Series-ScribbleMonster at North School Park
July 25, 2023
- Address: 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a kid-friendly concert by ScribbleMonster, which is comprised of five veteran Chicago-area performers.
Music Under The Trees at The Dole – Cap’n Funk & Groove Train
July 27, 2023
- Address: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake
- Cost: $25/general admission
Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by Cap’n Funk & Groove Train. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.
Laurie Berkner at Ravinia
July 30, 2023
- Address: 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
- Cost: $15/general admission lawn tickets, $20/reserved seats and premium lawn blocks
See Laurie Berkner in concert at the pavilion at Ravinia. This kids pop/rock concert offers both an 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. show.
Opera for the Young: Rossini’s The Barber of Seville at Ravinia
Aug. 12, 2023
- Address: 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
- Cost: $15/general admission lawn tickets
See a one-hour, mid-century modern adaptation for kids in classical/theater concert at the pavilion at Ravinia.
Music Under The Trees at The Dole – Winnie Cooper
Aug. 24, 2023
- Address: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake
- Cost: $25/general admission
Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by Winnie Cooper. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.
Okee Dokee Brothers at Ravinia
Aug. 26, 2023
- Address: 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
- Cost: $15/general admission lawn tickets
See Okee Dokee Brothers in a country/folk concert at the pavilion at Ravinia.
Music Under The Trees at The Dole – The Jolly Ringwalds
Sept. 7, 2023
- Address: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake
- Cost: $25/general admission
Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by The Jolly Ringwalds. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.
Music Under The Trees at The Dole – Galway Gals
Sept. 21, 2023
- Address: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake
- Cost: $25/general admission
Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by Galway Gals. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.
South Suburbs
Oswego Pops Orchestra- Tribute to Veterans Concert at Venue 1012
May 28, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a free concert at Venue 1012 as Oswego Pops Orchestra pays tribute to the men and women in our nation’s armed forces. The Oswego American Legion #675 will post and retire colors during the ceremony.
Sealed With A Kiss at Venue 1012
June 1, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a free concert at Venue 1012 and see Sealed With A Kiss, a two-female-fronted high-energy pop rock cover band.
SEMPLE band with Fletcher Rockwell at Venue 1012
June 10, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: $10-$15/tickets, free/ages 12 and under
Enjoy a fun concert with your family to see opening act, Fletcher Rockwell and headliner, SEMPLE.
Concert in the Park: Midnight at Tinley Park Park District
June 29, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy live musical entertainment from Midnight at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs.
Petty Cash: Johnny Cash + Tom Petty Tribute Band
June 29, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a free concert with your family to see Tom Petty and Johnny Cash tribute band, Petty Cash.
Hillbilly Rockstarz at Venue 1012
July 6, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
See Hillbilly Rockstarz, which specialize in covering the latest hits of country music and classic favorites.
Concert in the Park: Starlight City at Tinley Park Park District
July 13, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy live musical entertainment from Starlight City at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs.
Boy Band Review at Venue 1012
July 15, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: $10-$15/tickets, free/ages 12 and under
Enjoy a family-friendly concert with Boy Band Review, which has all the 90s throwbacks you can sing and dance to.
Concert in the Park: Bagshot Row at Tinley Park Park District
July 27, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy live musical entertainment from Bagshot Row at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs.
The GooRoos at Venue 1012
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Feel like you’re at an old-school rock concert.
Southern Accents: Tom Petty Tribute Band at Venue 1012
Aug. 5, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: $10-$15/tickets, free/ages 12 and under
Families can enjoy this Tom Petty tribute band called Southern Accents, formed by elite musicians from Nashville.
Music in the Park: Electro Retro at Tinley Park Park District
Aug. 17, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy live musical entertainment from Electro Retro at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs.
Second Hand News: Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band at Venue 1012
Aug. 17, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a free concert with your family to see Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Second Hand News.
Western Suburbs
Cantigny Summer Concert Series
May 28-29; June 4, 11, 25; July 2, 4, 9, 15, 23, 30; Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27; Sept. 3-4, 2023
- Address: 1 S. 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
- Cost: $30/car
Families can enjoy an outdoor concert, which features lawn seating. Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnics.
Lunchtime Live – Miss Liz Music at Cerny Park
June 8, 2023
- Address: 4S150 River Road, Warrenville
- Cost: Free
Pack a lunch and join Cerny Park for a lunchtime kids concert with Miss Liz.
Lunchtime Live – Wendy & DB at Cerny Park
June 22, 2023
- Address: 4S150 River Road, Warrenville
- Cost: Free
Pack a lunch and join Cerny Park for a lunchtime kids concert with Wendy and DB.
Lunchtime Live – Mr. Dave Music at Cerny Park
July 13, 2023
- Address: 4S150 River Road, Warrenville
- Cost: Free
Pack a lunch and join Cerny Park for a lunchtime kids concert with Mr. Dave.
Lunchtime Live – ScribbleMonster at Cerny Park
July 27, 2023
- Address: 4S150 River Road, Warrenville
- Cost: Free
Pack a lunch and join Cerny Park for a kids lunchtime concert with ScribbleMonster.
Lunchtime Live – Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam at Cerny Park
Aug. 10, 2023
- Address: 4S150 River Road, Warrenville
- Cost: Free
Pack a lunch and join Cerny Park for a kids lunchtime concert with Jodi Koplin.
Concerts in Your Park: Superchair Band at Queensbury Greens
June 11, 2023
- Address: 1520 Brookdale Road, Naperville
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a Sunday evening live concert in the park.
Concerts in Your Park: Fletcher Rockwell at Winding Creek Park
June 25, 2023
- Address: 144 W. Bailey Road, Naperville
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a Sunday evening live concert in the park.
Concerts in Your Park: Gen FuZe at Ashwood Park
July 9, 2023
- Address: Ashwood Park Court, Naperville
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a Sunday evening live concert in the park.
Concerts in Your Park: BackForward Band at Wil-O-Way Park
July 16, 2023
- Address: 1408 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a Sunday evening live concert in the park.
Concerts in Your Park: OMT at Three Meadows Park
July 23, 2023
- Address: 1307 Brittany Ave., Naperville
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a Sunday evening live concert in the park.
Concerts in Your Park: Scarlett’s Fire at Tall Grass Park
July 30, 2023
- Address: 3512 Grassmere Road, Naperville
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a Sunday evening live concert in the park.
This post is updated annually.
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