It’s time to celebrate the tourist attraction that both visitors and Chicago natives have come to love: Millennium Park.
This 24.5-acre sanctuary, designed with accessibility in mind, wasn’t always the monumental attraction that it is today—in fact, it used to be covered by railroad tracks. In honor of its 10th birthday, this summer will be full of free events, exhibitions, family activities, workouts, movies and concerts.
Want to squeeze in a weekend workout or take in some art or a film with the family? They’ve got it. Need some inspiration for your garden at home? Check out the Gardener’s Plant Walk July 18 from 8-8:45 a.m. to get some ideas. All summer long, Millennium Park will be the perfect destination for family fun with something for everyone.
This summer, Millennium Park is offering free workout classes Saturday mornings on the Great Lawn to start your weekend on a healthy note. Classes are 45 minutes long, and you can join in on Tai Chi (7 a.m.), Yoga (8 a.m.), Pilates (9 a.m.) or Zumba (10 a.m.). Need some help getting through the week? Mid-week Yoga on Wednesdays from 7:30-8:15 a.m. is just the boost you need.
Location: Millennium Park, Great Lawn, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago
Available through: September 6
Admission: Free
Millennium Park: An Anatomy in Photographs
Showcasing the progress of creating the world-famous tourist attraction, this free exhibit, curated by John Vinci, is comprised of over 50 images of the park, before, during and after construction. This is the perfect shady spot if you need some time away from the sun!
Location: Millennium Park, North Boeing Gallery, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Available through: October 2015
Admission: Free
All Chicagoans know that on a hot summer day Millennium Park’s Crown Fountain will be covered with children playing in Jaume Plensa’s aquatic monumental sculpture. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this beloved attraction, Plensa has created a special exhibition entitled 1004 Portraits, adding onto the 1,000 LED portraits of Chicago residents that light up the Crown Fountain. When entering Millennium Park, it’s hard to miss the 39-foot-tall head growing from out of the ground at the Michigan Avenue and Madison Street entrance. The other three heads, portraits of young girls made from cast iron and resin, are situated near the Crown Fountain in the South Boeing Gallery and are smaller in scale.
Location: Millennium Park, South Boeing Gallery, Michigan + Madison, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Available through: December 2015
Admission: Free
Tuesdays just got a whole lot more exciting! Get the picnic basket and blanket ready and head on over to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to enjoy the beautiful summer weather while watching classic movies on the 40-foot LED screen at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a new film each week for free—be sure to head over early enough to claim your spot! Find the full schedule below:
- Tuesday, July 22: “Field of Dreams”
- Tuesday, July 29: “This is Spinal Tap”
- Tuesday, August 5: “The Birdcage”
- Tuesday, August 12: “American Graffiti”
- Tuesday, August 19: “Dreamgirls”
- Tuesday, August 26: “The Wizard of Oz”
- Wednesday, August 27: “Avatar”
Location: Millennium Park, Great Lawn, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago
Admission: Free
Available through: August 26 (with a bonus film on the 27th!)
Join in on the fun and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Grant Park Music Festival, with a lineup full of festival favorites and world-renowned guest artists. This free festival is the perfect opportunity to spend some time outside, enjoying the summer weather while listening to a wide selection of world-class music. You’ll love the Grammy Award-nominated Grant Park Orchestra, led by Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the award-winning Grant Park Chorus led by Chorus Director Christopher Bell. Enjoy a picnic and drinks with a group of friends and sit on the great lawn or grab a seat in the seating bowl for an up-close concert experience.
- Wednesday, July 9: Ella, Louis and All That Jazz, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, July 12: Holst The Planets, 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 16: The Blue Planet in Concert, 8 p.m.
- Friday, July 18: Dvorak and Beethoven, 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 19: Dvorak and Beethovan, 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 23: Musical Thrills!, 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 25: Slatkin Conducts Shostakovich, 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday July 26: Slatkin Conducts Shostakovich, 7:30 p.m.
- Monday, July 28: The National Youth Orchestra with Gil Shaham, 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 30: Symphonie Espagnole, 6:30 p.m.
Location: Millennium Park, Great Lawn, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago
Available through: August 16 (click here for complete listings)
Admission: Free
This kid-friendly tent is jam-packed with awesome activities that will keep your kids busy during the summer months! Starting at 10 a.m., there are daily performances by the “Wiggleworms.” These Old Town School instructors will lead your kids in sing-a-longs, circle dances and more. Take a break at 11 to sit back and enjoy the Reading Circle where they read classics like “Corduroy,” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” “A Cat in the Hat” and other fun summer reads. Even parents are invited! Family performances are at 1 p.m. with interactive dance performances and live music to get everybody’s feet moving! Start your week on the right foot with Movement Mondays at 1 p.m. Join the Target Family Fun Festival as they offer hip-hop yoga, tap dance, hoopnotics and other fun activities that’ll get rid of the Monday blues.
Available through: August 24
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Millennium Park, Chase Promenade North, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Admission: Free
All photos courtesy of Millennium Park
