What is Chicago SummerDance?

Chicago SummerDance is a summer event series that offers free live music and dance lessons for people of all ages and skill levels. Held on an open-air dance floor in Grant Park, SummerDance features a variety of dance genres all summer long.

When is Chicago SummerDance?

Chicago SummerDance 2025 takes place on select dates from June through September. The signature events in Grant Park will take place from Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 7 – 23, 2025.

What is the traditional dance of Chicago?

Footwork, the cha-cha slide, Chicago-style stepping/steppin’, and polka hop are all dance styles born in Chicago.

Chicago SummerDance

Q: Where is Chicago SummerDance?

Chicago SummerDance takes place in downtown Grant Park and in 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.

June – September 2025
Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide

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

SummerDance in Spirit of the Music Garden Grant Park summer dancing

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. SummerDance will be held at Grant Park’s Spirt of Music Garden from Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 7 – 23, 2025. Check back for the full 2025 schedule.

People of all abilities dancing together at Chicago SummerDance, including participants in wheelchairs, enjoying a lively outdoor event in the city. — Chicago SummerDance; photo by Walter S Mitchell III

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.

A vibrant crowd dancing around a live drummer at Chicago SummerDance, showcasing high-energy music and community celebration in Grant Park. — Chicago SummerDance

Couples dancing in the park in the evening during Chicago SummerDance, with live music and a romantic open-air atmosphere. — SummerDance in Grant Park

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.