Chicago May 2024

Chicago May 2024 Events

Chicago May 2024 Events

Beaches Open Up to the Public this Month in Chicago

Average temperature low and high: 53°-66°
May is the perfect month to visit if you are looking to enjoy warmer temperatures without being uncomfortably hot. Although masking and social distancing protocols are in place, parks and public spaces are open. Specifically, this month is when beaches should open up, so head out to enjoy some fun under the sun. Some annual events may be postponed or different because of COVID-19, we will update this page with any new information in the coming weeks released by organizers.

May Event Calendar

Spring Awakening Festival

Spring Awakening Festival

Attend one of the hottest electronica music festivals in the country.  The Spring Awakening Festival features musicians, deejays, and music producers from around the world to celebrate one of the most varied musical genres.  Enjoy food from local vendors and icy cocktails to beat the heat in-between stage shows.  

Learn more.

Art in Wilder Park

If you're an art lover, make sure you take a visit to Wilder Park as it's transformed into an art show and filled with crafts. This 2-day event attracts over 10,000 attendees and over 100 artists selling their pieces. Rain or shine, the massive art show will also feature live music entertainment, and admission is free for all ages.

Moonrunners Music Festival

Moonrunners Music Festival

Moon Runners Festival is a 2-day fest that will feature live punk, country, and roots music performances from local and nationally-recognized artists. Headliners for 2023 include Joseph Huber, Corporate Death from Macabre, Old Wolves, Tommy Luke, and more. Attendees must be 21+. Two-day passes for the festival are $90; purchase tickets and view the weekend's full lineup online. 

Chicago Symphony Center: Muti Conducts Montgomery & Rachmaninov 2

Chicago Symphony Center: Muti Conducts Montgomery & Rachmaninov 2

Enjoy a beautiful and explosive performance from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra will be led by Riccardo Muti, with pieces composed by Jessie Montgomery, the orchestra's new Mead Composer-in-Residence, and classics from Rachmaninov 2. Ticket prices range from $45-$399, and they can be purchased online.

Learn more.

WhiskyFest

Check out the WhiskyFest Chicago for the opportunity to taste whiskey from around the world. This longest-running and best-attended whiskey festival in the U.S will feature rare pours, local as well as national expert distillers and blenders, seminars, and tasty eats. 

Mayfest

Get ready to rock for 3 days straight at Chicago's annual Mayfest. For the past 26 years, the music fest has served as the kick-off for the city's lively summer festival season. It will be held in the heart of Lincoln Park at Armitage at Sheffield. Enjoy live music performances, food, beer, and more. The festival will go on rain or shine, a $10 cash donation is suggested at the entrance gate. Check back online for the full festival lineup and additional information. 

Vintage Garage Chicago Season Opener

Celebrate the woman who deserves it all this Mother's Day with a special experience. Take Mom on an adventure to Evanston for brunch or lunch, then make your way up to Chicagoland's only 5th-floor vintage market. Get ready to be dazzled as you shop from over 75 vendors offering everything imaginable--from antique jewelry and unique knick-knacks to exotic vinyl records and retro fashions -all readied just in time for their new homes. Take advantage of the 11th season kick-off.

Learn more.

Of the Earth

The Morton Arboretum will present a new exhibition, "Of the Earth," opening on May 26, 2023, featuring five large-scale sculptures created by Polish-American artist Olga Ziemska. The exhibition will explore the artist’s expression and philosophy that everything in life is derived from the same basic elements that form everything in nature, including ourselves. The sculptures will be created from reclaimed tree branches and other natural materials gathered from various locations throughout the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres. This will be the largest exhibition to date for Ziemska. The exhibition will run through spring 2025.

Sueños Music Festival

Sueños Music Festival

The Sueños Music Festival is a two-day extravaganza coming up on May 27th and 28th. Experience a plethora of musical genres, including hip-hop, EDM, and pop, with live performances from renowned artists such as Nicky Jam, Wisin y Yandel, Becky G and many more. Enjoy a variety of food and drinks, along with art installations and workshops. Get your tickets now for General Admission or VIP passes.

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

Gear up for the 38th annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival taking place this year on Saturday, May 27th and 28th. This unique outdoor festival provides a wide range of musical styles and genres, from rock, pop and hip-hop to blues, jazz, EDM and more. There will also be plenty of food and beverage options to choose from. Be sure to check back closer to the date for this year’s lineup list.

Chicago Events in May

Concerts

Theater & Headliners

Sports

Nightclubs

Things to do in Chicago

Things to Do in Chicago in May

Go on a Night Tour

Go on a Night Tour
Chicago doesn't stop buzzing at night, so why should you stop exploring it? Switch things up and venture the city on a night tour. From ghosts and riverwalk tours by foot, to architecture tours by boat, there's lots to see. Book with a tour guide, or go the independent route with self-guided and audio tours.

Spend a Day at Millennium Park

Spend a Day at Millennium Park
Millennium Park was converted from an industrial wasteland into a 25 acre park. Thoughtfully filled with beautiful landscaping, architecture and art, the park is known to host events free and open to the public like concerts, performances, and movie screenings. Weather you want to stroll and explore or just bring a picnic blanket to relax, this is must when visiting Chicago.