There’s just something about an outdoor concert in the summer — the sounds, the stars, the opportunity to assemble a righteous picnic. And July is the peak month to savor these shows across Chicago, with so much on offer.
Taste of Chicago returns this week with a five-day lineup, bringing even more acts to a densely packed Downtown lineup across stages. Millennium Park and Ravinia are both in full swing, as are stages at the Salt Shed and Fitzgeralds. Then there are the patios at venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art that book jazz and world music on the regular all summer and are not to be overlooked.
Whether you’re looking for power pop ballads that will have your crew dancing, or a classical or jazz soundtrack for your summer evening, this list of concerts — many of them free — will deliver a magical night outside.
Want more summer music content? Our 100 days of summer concerts feature lets you save a list of shows to reference later.
Beach Bunny
When: July 8 at 7 p.m.
Where: Taste of Chicago mainstage, in Grant Park near Jackson Avenue and Columbus Drive; free
The viral song “Prom Queen” quickly catapulted local indie rockers Beach Bunny onto the national music radar in 2019, but the female-fronted group has produced three albums and a music festival since — earning them serious music bonafides. What began as a solo project of DePaul grad Lili Trifilio has now blossomed into an act that delivers a power-packed, danceable live show. But don’t be fooled: The bright pop tones decorate more introspective lyrics about what it means to be human in a violent era. — Cassie Walker Burke
Third Coast Percussion
When: July 8 at 8:18 p.m.
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park; free
At the pulse of Chicago’s new-music scene is Third Coast Percussion, an ensemble of four percussionists that approximately every year puts out a fascinating new album, which then gets nominated for a Grammy. They play new-music stalwarts along the lines of John Cage and Steve Reich, and they also commission and collaborate on new pieces. That roster includes not just classical-world luminaries such as Philip Glass and Augusta Read Thomas, but also the electronic musician Jlin and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche. At this Grant Park Music Festival concert, they’ll give the Chicago premiere of a concerto for orchestra and four percussionists by Christopher Theofanidis titled “Drum Circles.” — Graham Meyer
2 Brown Sisters
When: July 10 at 12 p.m.
Where: Harper Court, University of Chicago; free
Sisters Maggie and Africa Brown have made it their mission to honor the legacy of their father, the late Oscar Brown Jr., who would have turned 100 this year. They will continue that tradition with a centennial celebration dedicated to the Chicago poet, playwright and songwriter at Jazz in the Court. Notable singers in their own right, the siblings will perform alongside musicians, poets, DJs and more to remember the icon, who was inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame last year. Maggie Brown told the Sun-Times that her dad’s goal was to “uplift, educate and beautify.” — Erica Thompson
Common
When: July 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Taste of Chicago mainstage, in Grant Park near Jackson Avenue and Columbus Drive; free
One of the city’s most influential hip-hop exports, Common, typically returns for a summer headlining set at a major park or festival. This summer he’ll headline the five-day return of Taste of Chicago with a Friday night set. After a career spent writing lyrics about life in the city, it’s always a thrill to hear him perform them — typically with special guests in tow — with the skyline as a backdrop. — C.W.B.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Yunchan Lim, Lizzo
When: July 11 at 6 p.m.
Where: Hunter Pavilion, Ravinia; tickets start at $35
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s opening night of its Ravinia residency this year, under chief conductor Marin Alsop, features two famous guest soloists. One is Yunchan Lim, the wunderkind 22-year-old pianist who won the Van Cliburn competition while still a teenager, playing the Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major. More surprisingly, and bringing a bit of juice to what’s also the festival’s gala night, is Lizzo, who will play the flute with the CSO. — G.M.
Marcos Valle
When: July 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park; free
Marcos Valle is often credited with taking bossa nova out of Brazil and sharing it with the world in the 1960s. Now, at 82, Valle has a successful career built on performing and creating music with different influences and genres, fusing samba, rock, soul, jazz and dance music with Brazilian flair. The musician got his start in music at the age of five when he started taking piano lessons. He listened to plenty of Marvin Gaye growing up, and eventually met Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Jobim when he moved into a house across the street from Valle’s family. Valle’s 1965 song “Samba de Verão,” known in English as “Summer Samba” was covered by Walter Wanderley and entered the U.S. Top 40 a year later. Drummer Daniel Villarreal and Chicago-based multimedia artist and vinyl dealer Clark Nelson, aka DJ Clark Quente, will also perform that night. — Ambar Colón
Lucy Dacus with Chicago Philharmonic
When: July 19 at 7 p.m.
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park; tickets from $48
One of the highlights of the Millennium Park summer concert series pairs the beloved singer-songwriter with an orchestral entourage for a layered feast. Dacus, also a member of the Grammy-winning trio Boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker, is still riding high on the success of her lush 2025 solo album “Forever Is A Feeling.” Making the night even more special are some local connections — Dacus’ mom hails from Illinois and her aunt will be playing oboe, not to mention the incredible Ratboys open. — Selena Fragassi
Chillona
When: July 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Anne & John Kern Terrace Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art; free
Chicago’s dark pop diva heads to the MCA for the summertime Tuesdays on the Terrace series, which highlights local artists on the museum’s outdoor patio. Chillona made waves last spring with her debut album “GOTA,” which features electronic ballads and alt-reggaeton bangers in both Spanish and English. She channels influences like Charli xcx and Rosalía in her sound, accompanied by drag and burlesque-inspired live shows. — Morgan Ciocca
La Rosa Noir
When: July 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park; free
Formed in Chicago in 2018, La Rosa Noir is an up-and-coming post-punk alt-rock band known for its inclusion of Latin rhythms and bilingual lyrics. In 2025, the band made its Riot Fest debut after years of playing in local DIY venues like Empty Bottle and Sleeping Village. Lead singer Yeshi Regalado named the band’s debut album “Arellano” after her grandmother’s maiden name. They’ve performed alongside Mexico-based artists such as Jenny and the Mexicats and Noa Sainz, and were even featured on the lineup for the National Museum of Mexican Art’s 2024 Sor Juana Festival. The band will open up for the famously eccentric Colombian rock band Aterciopelados at Millennium Park. Free. — A.C.
Shannon McNally
When: July 28 at 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald’s Patio; free
Nashville songwriter and country soul singer Shannon McNally has a deep catalog of original Americana songs dating back to her 2002 debut. She has collaborated with Charlie Sexton, Dave Alvin, Dr. John, Rodney Crowell and Jay Farrar of Son Volt, and in 2013 released a full-length tribute album to Louisiana songwriter Bobby Charles. Her latest release is “Special Edition,” a new EP available for download. — Mark Guarino
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