2012 Chicago Jazz Festival

Celebrate the End of Summer with Free Music on Chicago's Waterfront

An annual Labor Day tradition, the Chicago Jazz Festival provides free music at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Grant Park. 2011's impressive lineup of performers included artist in residence Orbert Davis, with Roy Hargrove, Pat Mallinger/Bill Carrothers Quartet, Maurice Brown, Cassandra Wilson, and more. This year promises to continue the tradition of creativity promoting local jazz talent and international artists.

Visitors can peruse through food and art gallery booths scattered across festival grounds as they listen to the live music. For those who want to sit and watch the performers, folding chairs and blankets are allowed, but steer clear from setting up in the seated areas. Admission is free and the festival is open to the public.

The Windy City's Music Tradition

What started as a tribute for the great composer Duke Ellington in the summer of 1974 has since evolved into one of the biggest music festivals in Chicago. Coordinated by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Jazz Festival is one of the city's largest music festivals. With more than thirty years under its belt, this festival is Chicago's longest running lakefront music festival, traditionally held every Labor Day weekend. Four stages in Grant Park will come alive for four days and visitors have the opportunity to listen to jazz non-stop from noon til night. Jazz musicians of all backgrounds and experiences have performed at the festival, including new artists to seasoned professionals. Famous performers in the past have included Miles Davis, Benny Carter, Johnny Frigo, and Roy Haynes. Chicago is a great city for music and also hosts the summer's Lollapalooza festival.

Chicago Rentals for Labor Day Weekend Accommodations

With jazz enthusiasts from all over the world flocking to Chicago for the Chicago Jazz Festival during Labor Day weekend, it is essential for visitors to book accommodations early in advance. The best lodging option for comfort, affordability and accessibility is a vacation rental. Families, friends, and even couples will find a large selection of vacation rentals in Chicago that will not only cater to their desired space size, but also to a number of comforts that other accommodations do not offer. Parking spaces, large personal space, kitchens, and laundry utilities are just some of the reasons that vacation rentals will provide comfort and convenience for any type of visitor to ensure a fun-filled weekend.

Check out other things to do in Chicago while you're here, or sneak away to a lake home on Lake Michigan just an hour or two away and enjoy a longer vacation.