Salsa, rumba, or waltz your way into summer during the 12th annual Chicago Dance Month. 

Chicago Dance Month brings free events showcasing a diverse array of Chicago dance groups, representing everything from international dance to Chicago-born dance styles. 

The month-long celebration of Chicago’s dynamic dance scene will include over 30 unique dance groups, including many first-time participants. The schedule features performances, lessons, and site-specific installations — all free and open to the public. Here’s a preview of a few can’t-miss events during Chicago Dance Month 2025.

Chicago Dance Month kickoff celebration

Saturday, May 31, 2025
3 – 5 p.m.
Navy Pier’s Lake Stage

Chicago Dance Month kickoff celebrationstarts the month strong with a packed day of dance on the lakefront. Navy Pier will host this free, family-friendly event that shines a spotlight on local dance companies and artists across genres.

Featured performers include:

  • Ayodele Drum and Dance
  • Chicago Dance Crash
  • Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago
  • Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
  • Hiplet NEXT
  • MOMENTA Dance Company
  • Natya Dance Theatre
  • Praize Productions, Inc.

Pier Dance

Wednesdays, June 4 – 25, 2025
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Navy Pier’s Wave Wall Platform

Pier Danceis a series of free outdoor dance lessons held every Wednesday during Chicago Dance Month. All skill levels are welcome to come learn some new moves, with a different style featured each week, including Bollywood, swing, hip hop, and more. 

  • Wednesday, June 4: Bollywood & Culture Groove
  • Wednesday, June 11: Traffic Jam Swing
  • Wednesday, June 18: Christopher “Mad Dog” Thomas
  • Wednesday, June 25: Movement Revolution Dance Crew

Wave Wall Moves

Saturdays, June 7 – 28, 2025
4 – 5 p.m.
Navy Pier’s Wave Wall Platform

Wave Wall Moves is a free outdoor dance series set against the stunning backdrop of the Chicago skyline. These high-energy one-hour performances showcase two artists on one stage, celebrating everything from flamenco to tap, queer performance art to hip hop.

Saturday, June 7

  • Phillip “Phree” Wood
  • Dilshad Khan Kathak

Saturday, June 14

  • Niko8
  • Clinard Dance’s Flamenco Project

Saturday, June 21

  • Yielded Vessels
  • Chicago Tap Theatre

Saturday, June 28 (Navy Pier Pride Celebration)

  • Queer Dance Freakout
  • Fever Dream Dance Collective

On The Move

Tuesdays, June 17 and 24, 2025
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Palmisano Park

On the Moveis a one-of-a-kind alfresco dance performance at Palmisano Park in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Attendees are invited to meander around the sprawling natural area, discovering pop-up dance installations tucked away throughout the park.

Tuesday, June 17

  • Aerial Dance Chicago
  • BYNC Ballet Folklórico
  • Chibuck Movement
  • Raks Inferno
  • Shubukai
  • Silambam Houston
  • Yin He Dance

Tuesday, June 24

  • Anniela Huidobro Castro
  • Bodies of Water
  • Chicago Flying Fairies Culture & Arts Center
  • Michelle Haskell
  • Sildance/Acrodanza
  • Symbiosis Arts
  • Winifred Haun & Dancers

More dance events this June in Chicago