Chicago SummerDance

Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during the annual Chicago SummerDance festival.

This summer-long event series brings people together in the city’s scenic parks for evenings filled with music, dance, community, and celebration. Each event features lessons from a professional dance instructor, featuring more than 30 unique dance styles from around the globe.

Chicago SummerDance schedule

This outdoor dance and movement series features free events in Chicago parks, with lessons designed for all ages and skill levels.

Find Chicago SummerDance events citywide throughout the summer from June 28 through Sept. 7. SummerDance will be held at Grant Park’s Spirt of Music Garden from Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 7 – 23.

Sunday, July 13
Chicago SummerDance at Maxwell Street Market
Maxwell Street between S. Halsted St. and S. Union Ave.
Theme: Country Line Dancing, Cumbia & Street-Style Salsa, Jitterbug/East Coast Swing, and more

Saturday, July 19
Chicago SummerDance at Taste of Chicago Pullman Park
Pullman Park
Theme: Bhangra, Merengue, Footwork, Swing 

Saturday, Aug. 9
Chicago SummerDance at Taste of Chicago Albany Park
4700 block of Kimball Ave. between Lawrence Ave. & Leland Ave.
Theme: Cumbia, Bollywood, Mexican folk 

Wednesday, July 23
Chicago SummerDance in the Parks
Humboldt Park Boathouse
Theme: Sonidos del Barrio: Música, Memoria y Movimiento (Bomba & Salsa)

Wednesday, July 30
Chicago SummerDance in the Parks
Riis Park
Theme: Samba 

Wednesday, Aug. 6
Chicago SummerDance in the Parks
Harrison Park
Theme: Cumbia

Thursday, Aug. 7
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Country Two-step

Friday, Aug. 8
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Latin Hustle & Cha Cha Cha

Saturday, Aug. 9
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Bachata

Wednesday, Aug. 13
Chicago SummerDance in the Parks
Calumet Park
Theme: Cumbia

Wednesday, Aug. 20
Chicago SummerDance in the Parks
Hamilton Park
Theme: Footwork

Thursday, Aug. 14
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Bomba & Plena 

Friday, Aug. 15
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Steppin

Saturday, Aug. 16
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Ballroom & Swing

Thursday, Aug. 21
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Lindy Hop to Western Swing 

Friday, Aug. 22
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Chicago House Festival at SummerDance 

Saturday, Aug. 23
Chicago SummerDance at Spirit of Music Garden
Grant Park
Theme: Salsa

Friday, Sept. 5
Chicago SummerDance at Taste of Chicago
Grant Park
Theme: Line dancing, Salsa, Footwork, and Dabke and bellydance 

Saturday, Sept. 6
Chicago SummerDance at Taste of Chicago
Grant Park
Theme: Cumbia, Swing, Disco, Footwork 

Sunday, Sept 7
Chicago SummerDance at Taste of Chicago
Grant Park
Theme: Dappankuthu, Mambo, Country 2-step, Footwork 

About Chicago SummerDance

A local staple for more than 25 years, the beloved Chicago SummerDance series transforms city parks into outdoor dance floors.

Come take advantage of free introductory dance lessons from professional instructors, presented with live music and followed by social dancing.

Dance styles include waltz, tango, kizomba, swing, salsa, cha-cha, flamenco, and other dance styles from around the world.

Chicago SummerDance takes place in Grant Park and neighborhood parks across the city on select dates. Keep an eye out for SummerDance pop-ups at special events, such as the annual Taste of Chicago.

Explore more: Dive into Chicago’s dance scene, from locally born styles to top dance venues.

Getting to SummerDance at Grant Park

Getting to Grant Park
The Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park is located at 112 E. Balbo Dr. (corner of Balbo Drive and Michigan Avenue).

The Chicago Public Transit Authority (CTA) offers nearby trains and many buses along Michigan Avenue.

For paratransit and vehicles transporting people with disabilities, the Grant Park drop-off and pick-up location is on East Balbo Drive on the northeast corner of South Michigan Avenue and East Balbo Drive.

Accessibility
All programming in the Spirit of Music Garden and Chicago SummerDance in the Parks events will have ASL interpretation.

The paths around the event space are paved and the dance floor is smooth and wheelchair accessible. An accessible restroom is available nearby.

Find more accessibility information for SummerDance Chicago.

Please note: Schedule is subject to change. For the very latest on Chicago SummerDance events, visit chicagosummerdance.org.