Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Season (May – December) to feature Music, Dance, Theatre, Film, Workouts, and Special Events
Photo Cred: Patrick L Pyszka
Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the first round of special programming for the City’s Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration (July 18–21). Scheduled to take place almost exactly 20 years since the Park’s official opening on July 16, 2004, this four-day free celebration features award-winning headliners, activities for families and youth, workouts, new public art, dance performances, and concerts— presented by DCASE with the Grant Park Music Festival, Millennium Park Foundation, and others. This special anniversary programming will be in addition to the annual music festivals, film and music series, workouts, family programming and more offered season-long in Millennium Park—the #1 attraction in the Midwest and among the top 10 most-visited sites in the United States.
“Millennium Park is where we showcase the best of our city’s vibrant arts, culture, and talent from across the globe,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I look forward to celebrating the Park’s milestone anniversary and its unrivaled art, architecture, and cultural events with unforgettable free programming all summer long.”
Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration
July 18-21
Kicking off the 20th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, July 18 is the ¡Súbelo! festival to be headlined by Fruko y Sus Tesos, the popular Latin music group from Colombia, presenting, “Fruko: 60 Years Of Making The World Dance,” performing his hit songs from Sonora Dinamita, Latin Brothers, Afrosound, and Fruko y Sus Tesos. ¡Súbelo! brings an evening of musical tapestry woven together by many different aspects of Latine culture on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage.
Friday, July 19 will feature the Grant Park Orchestra in Star Wars and More: the Music of John Williams. The music from your favorite films come to life when guest conductor Anthony Parnther leads the orchestra in favorites from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and more.
Common – Photo Cred: Brian Bowen Smith
Saturday, July 20 offers free arts programming starting at 11am across the Park, culminating in an evening concert by Academy Award, Emmy and Grammy-winning artist, actor, author, activist and South Side native Common performing alongside the Grant Park Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Parnther at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at 7:30pm. Tickets to the July 20th concert at 7:30pm are free, but online reservations are required for this concert. Reservations will become available this spring. To receive the latest updates and ticket alerts, the public can sign up for the DCASE newsletter and/or Grant Park Music Festival newsletter, or follow Millennium Park on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter). Note: Reserved tickets are not required for the other Millennium Park events, only the Common concert.
Sunday, July 21 the four-day Anniversary Celebration will conclude with The S&S Chicago Experience from 4-7pm on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage, curated by Steve “Silk” Hurley and Shannon “Skip” Says. Presenting a diverse and inclusive presentation of House Music, this initiative will bring global talent to create immersive experiences and unforgettable moments of Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect in Millennium Park. Four-time GRAMMY® Nominee Steve “Silk” Hurley of S&S Chicago has worked with likes of Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, J-Lo, Janet Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, and a list of others, and will take attendees on a musical journey highlighting an array of special guests encapsulating the spirit of House Music.
Additional programming details for the Anniversary Celebration to be announced in the coming weeks. Visit MillenniumPark.org for updates.
