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Chicago Live Festival is the Midwest’s largest free performing arts festival, showcasing the best of Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene at Navy Pier. On Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, enjoy an expansive lineup of live music, dance, theater, and multidisciplinary performances from acclaimed local and national artists.

Set along the lakefront, this dynamic festival brings together diverse voices and bold creativity for an unforgettable celebration of the performing arts in the heart of the city.

As we prepare for this year’s festival, we invite you to explore upcoming events or make a gift to support Navy Pier’s nonprofit mission and its work with local cultural partners and artists.

Explore Events Schedule Make a Donation

2026 Chicago Live Community Engagement Program

Navy Pier and participating Chicago Live Festival organizations proudly present the Chicago Live Community Engagement Program, taking place Friday, August 28 through Friday, September 18.

Chicago neighborhoods are invited to enjoy free classes and workshops led by some of the city’s top performing arts organizations before seeing them take the stage at Chicago Live Festival on Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20 at Navy Pier.

Free Community Classes and Workshops

FEATURING

Chicago Live Festival Line Up

Schedule

12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

East Stage
12:00 PM
Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
East Stage
12:30 PM
Forward Momentum
East Stage
1:00 PM
Noumenon Dance Ensemble
East Stage
1:30 PM
Joel Hall Dancers
East Stage
2:00 PM
Chicago Repertory Ballet
East Stage
2:30 PM
BOOM CRACK! Dance Company
East Stage
3:00 PM
Little Fire Artist Collective
East Stage
3:30 PM
Ho Etsu Taiko
East Stage
4:00 PM
Hiplet
East Stage
4:30 PM
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
East Stage
5:00 PM
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre
East Stage
5:30 PM
Giordano II
East Stage
6:00 PM
Giordano Dance Chicago
East Stage
6:30 PM
Red Clay Dance Company
East Stage
7:00 PM
EnbyBallet
East Stage
7:30 PM
LEVELdance
East Stage
8:00 PM
Visceral Dance
East Stage
8:30 PM
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
East Stage
Lake Stage
12:00 PM
Lazy Susan Theatre Co.
Lake Stage
12:30 PM
Porchlight Music Theatre
Lake Stage
1:00 PM
Midsommer Flight
Lake Stage
1:30 PM
Black Ensemble Theater
Lake Stage
2:00 PM
Kokandy Productions
Lake Stage
2:30 PM
Fat Theatre Project
Lake Stage
3:00 PM
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Lake Stage
3:30 PM
Pulse Theatre Chicago
Lake Stage
4:00 PM
Annoyance Theatre
Lake Stage
4:30 PM
Remy Bumppo
Lake Stage
5:00 PM
Chicago Tap Theatre
Lake Stage
5:30 PM
Rose Theatrics
Lake Stage
6:00 PM
About Face Theatre
Lake Stage
6:30 PM
The Second City
Lake Stage
7:00 PM
Chicago Fringe Opera
Lake Stage
7:30 PM
Aerial Dance Chicago
Lake Stage
8:00 PM
The Knott Us Band
Lake Stage
9:00 PM
Common
Lake Stage
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
12:00 PM
Kalapriya
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
12:30 PM
Chicago Children’s Theatre
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
1:00 PM
Fiddlerock!
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
1:30 PM
Ballet Folklorico Sones Mexicanos
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
2:00 PM
Chicago Dance Crash
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
2:30 PM
Shawnee Dez
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
3:00 PM
Khary Laurent
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
3:30 PM
Q Brothers feat. JJQ
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
4:00 PM
Anthony Rapp
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
4:30 PM
Soul Children of Chicago
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
5:00 PM
Rob Lindley / Second City Sisters
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
5:30 PM
Tenderoni
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
6:00 PM
Aunty Chan
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
6:30 PM
Utica & Denali / Broadway Barbara
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
7:00 PM
Jory Avner
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
7:30 PM
Melody Angel
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
8:00 PM
Instrumental Theatre Company
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
8:30 PM
Trinity Irish Dance Company
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
RYTHM Stage
12:00 PM
Menjunje
RYTHM Stage
1:30 PM
Tears Dry On Their Own: Amy Winehouse Tribute
RYTHM Stage
3:00 PM
Too Much Molly Band
RYTHM Stage
4:30 PM
JC Brooks
RYTHM Stage
6:00 PM
Universal Togetherness Band
RYTHM Stage
7:30 PM
Carlise Guy & the NuBlu Band
RYTHM Stage
West Stage
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
DJ Readerz
West Stage
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
DJ Readerz
West Stage

12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

East Stage
12:00 PM
Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra
East Stage
12:30 PM
Ballet 5:8
East Stage
1:00 PM
Hedwig Dances
East Stage
1:30 PM
Culture Shock Chicago
East Stage
2:00 PM
The Joffrey Ballet
East Stage
2:30 PM
Chicago Philharmonic
East Stage
3:00 PM
Chicago Movement Collective
East Stage
3:30 PM
South Chicago Dance Theatre
East Stage
4:00 PM
The Seldoms
East Stage
4:30 PM
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
East Stage
5:00 PM
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
East Stage
5:30 PM
Momenta Dance Company
East Stage
Lake Stage
12:00 PM
Jazz Institute of Chicago
Lake Stage
12:30 PM
Anthony Bruno Quartet
Lake Stage
1:00 PM
Windy City Jazz Electric
Lake Stage
1:30 PM
Jose Rendon’s Jazzeteca
Lake Stage
2:00 PM
Robert Irving III
Lake Stage
2:30 PM
Old Town School of Folk Music Presents: Angel Bat Dawid
Lake Stage
3:00 PM
Margaret Murphy
Lake Stage
3:30 PM
Nico Segal
Lake Stage
4:00 PM
Samuel Mösching Ethereal Kinks
Lake Stage
4:30 PM
Dee Alexander Quartet
Lake Stage
5:00 PM
K.I.M. (Keepin’ It Movin’)
Lake Stage
5:30 PM
Victor Garcia
Lake Stage
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
12:00 PM
The Happiness Club
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
12:30 PM
Amy Lowe & King Katz
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
1:00 PM
Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
1:30 PM
CircEsteem
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
2:00 PM
Muntu Dance Theatre
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
2:30 PM
Chicago Magic Lounge
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
3:00 PM
Natya Dance Theatre
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
3:30 PM
Creation Global
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
4:00 PM
The Drastics
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
4:30 PM
The Water Riot Ensemble
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
5:00 PM
Svet
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
5:30 PM
Jersey Girls
Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
RYTHM Stage
12:30 PM
Bumpus
RYTHM Stage
2:00 PM
Bonzo Squad
RYTHM Stage
3:30 PM
Liquid Soul
RYTHM Stage
5:00 PM
Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute
RYTHM Stage
West Stage
12:00 PM
DJ Readerz
West Stage
Adaptive dance group performing during CHICAGO LIVE! at Navy Pier

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Acrobatic performance on stage at CHICAGO LIVE! at Navy Pier

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Dancers captivating audience during CHICAGO LIVE! performance

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Live band performing on stage at CHICAGO LIVE! in Chicago

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Group of performers during CHICAGO LIVE! at Navy Pier

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Energetic dance crew performing at CHICAGO LIVE! on Navy Pier

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Children watching performers at CHICAGO LIVE! family event

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Throwback Attack performer entertaining the crowd at CHICAGO LIVE!

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Musicians performing live at CHICAGO LIVE! at Navy Pier

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Giordano Dance Chicago performing at CHICAGO LIVE! Navy Pier

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Diablo performer showcasing skills at CHICAGO LIVE! Navy Pier

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Mainstage performer entertaining audience at CHICAGO LIVE! 2025

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Guitarist music artist performing at CHICAGO LIVE! on Navy Pier stage

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Group of dancers performing at CHICAGO LIVE! on Navy Pier stage

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Solo dancer mid-performance at CHICAGO LIVE! Navy Pier

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Visceral Dance Company performing at CHICAGO LIVE! on Navy Pier

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Solo performer in spotlight at CHICAGO LIVE! event

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Chicago Repertory Ballet on stage at CHICAGO LIVE! Navy Pier

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Dancers performing live at CHICAGO LIVE! 2025 on Navy Pier

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Stage performer at CHICAGO LIVE! 2025 event on Navy Pier

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Saxophonist playing during CHICAGO LIVE! music event at Navy Pier

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Dance performers in blue shirts at CHICAGO LIVE! Navy Pier

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Drummer performing energetic routine at CHICAGO LIVE! Navy Pier

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Location

Navy Pier

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