July 15 – Aug. 29, 2026
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 unique dance styles from around the globe.

SummerDance in Spirit of the Music Garden Grant Park summer dancing
SummerDance in Spirit of the Music Garden Grant Park summer dancing

Chicago SummerDance 2026 schedule

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

Check out the complete schedule and lineup for the 2026 Chicago Summerdance program. For events held at the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, each evening begins with dance lessons, followed by live music.

Wednesday, July 15
Theme: Salsa
Calumet Park (9801 S. Avenue G)

  • 5 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Latin Street Dancing
  • 6 – 7:30 p.m. – Music by Carpacho y Su Super Combo

Wednesday, July 22
Theme: House Music
Harrison Park (1824 S. Wood St.)

  • 5 – 7:30 p.m. – Music by A Party Called Tribe

Wednesday, July 29
Theme: Bomba & Plena
Humboldt Park Boathouse (1301 N. Humboldt Blvd.)

  • 5 – 7:30 p.m. – Music, dance and spoken word by Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda de Velle with musical accompaniment by Las BomPleneras

Wednesday, Aug. 5
Theme: Mexican Son & Cumbia
Riis Park (6100 W. Fullerton Ave.)

  • 5 p.m. – Dance Instruction & Music by Son Monarcas
  • 6 – 7:30 p.m. – Music by Son Monarcas

Wednesday, Aug. 12
Theme: Line Dancing
Hamilton Park (513 W. 72nd St.)

  • 5 p.m. – Dance Instruction & Music by DJ Dre and Just Jammin’ with Janelle and Company
  • 6 – 7:30 p.m. – Music by DJ Dre

Thursday, Aug. 13
Theme: Salsa
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Latin Street Dancing
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by Latin Swing Factor

Friday, Aug. 14
Theme: Plena
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Noni Lazu
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by Plenazo Tribe

Saturday, Aug. 15
Theme: Swing
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by May I Have This Dance
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by Outcast Jazz Band

Thursday, Aug. 20
Theme: Bollywood Music & Dance
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Raji Venkat, Mandala Arts
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by Do the Needful

Friday, Aug. 21
Theme: Ballroom & Vintage Swing
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Margot Toppen & Riley Wimes, Jr.
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by Nancy Hays & The Romance of Dance Orchestra

Saturday, Aug. 22
Theme: Country & Chicago Honky Tonk
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Michelle Billingsley
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by The Lawrence Peters Outfit

Thursday, Aug. 27
Theme: Brazilian Samba
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Planeta Azul Samba Dance Group
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by Planeta Azul

Friday, Aug. 28
Theme: House Music
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 – 9 p.m. – Chicago House Music Festival

Saturday, Aug. 29
Theme: Chicago Steppin’
Grant Park (112 E. Balbo Dr.)

  • 6 p.m. – Dance Instruction by Majestic Gents
  • 7:15 p.m. – Music by DJ Cross
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.

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.