Navy Pier’s summer 2024 lineup kicks off with a summerlong exhibit devoted to Chicago’s rich house music history, presented in partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago and Vintage House Show Collective. The exhibit will showcase the artists from Chicago’s South and West Sides who helped create this influential genre, and will feature music and dance performances, workshops, and vendors.
Also returning to Navy Pier this summer is the popular Summer Block Party, featuring a 5K run, pickleball, wiffle ball, baseball, softball, golf, and mini-golf. Coaches and trainers will be on hand to offer instruction, and mini-golf competitions will take place at the new Pier Park Mini Golf Course.
Navy Pier’s free weekend music series in the outdoor Beer Garden will feature live music from Chicago bands and DJs every Saturday and Sunday, plus Memorial Day and Labor Day Mondays. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m., from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Pier Park will host a live outdoor performance series with Chicago dance companies.
On Thursdays and Fridays, the Wave Wall Stage will come alive with live music from local and national artists, including Larry Anthony, Lydia Cash, James Gedda, Daniel Chavez Organ Quartet, and Meg & The Wheelers. And on Tuesdays, Polk Bros Park will offer free exercise classes with a fusion of Zumba and Jazzercise at 6 p.m. and yoga at 7:30 p.m.
Navy Pier will also host several special events throughout the summer, including the LatiNxt Music Fest, a two-day festival celebrating Latin American music and culture, and the Chicago Pride Fest, a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.
For movie buffs, there will be free movies every Monday in Polk Bros Park, with a science theme this year. And on Bastille Day, July 14th, Polk Bros Park will host a celebration of French culture with live music and tasty French treats.
And of course, no summer at Navy Pier would be complete without the spectacular fireworks displays, which will take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 9 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
