Free Events & Public Programs

The 16th annual Bitter Jester Music Festival rounds up its “Best Of” bands for a 6-hour culminating concert at the Navy Pier Beer Garden on...

Barry Butler’s 22 image exhibit is a celebration of many of the views of the Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and Buckingham Fountain. Whether you...

he Chicago Yacht Club is hosting its annual Parade of Boats send-off party on Saturday, July 23rd from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Navy...

This sensational sculpture — "Reach" by Chris Daze Ellis can be found in Pier Park near the carousel. On loan from ART WITH ME, make...

Chicago Human Rhythm Project presents its annual tap showcase of professional dancers. Presented as part of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, America’s oldest and most...

Chicago’s favorite sky spectacle show Wednesday and Saturday nights from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Find a spot anywhere on the pier to...

Join us for our annual young-performers’ showcase. Fresh faces, fresh voices, and fresh ideas take over the Pier in this annual young-performers’ showcase, featuring musicians,...

Join us at Navy Pier for all your small business shopping and holiday needs! The Holidays are coming alive all-around Navy Pier! Visit our Winter...

Whether you are looking for a cool t-shirt, a toy or souvenir your family has not seen before or a one-of-a-kind collectible for your home,...

The Northwestern Medicine Experience Tour stops by the Promenade in Polk Bros Park on September 3. Northwestern Medicine is looking forward to connecting with families...

As part of Navy Pier’s Global Connections series, the Aon Grand Ballroom will be transformed into a festive, interactive, and family-friendly Lunar New Year Celebration:...

Optik is an interactive installation that reflects on our ability to play with our surroundings while giving the opportunity for brand new point of views...

Join us Saturday, January 21 for the exciting Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival at Navy Pier!  The Free Neighborhood Tour with Little Uprisings: My Night in...

Free Family Days with Chicago Children's Museum is back for 2023! In partnership with the Chicago Children's Museum (CCM), Navy Pier guests can enjoy five...

The next stop in Navy Pier’s Global Connections series is International Carnivale! Hosted by Logan Lu! The tradition of Carnivale is celebrated throughout the world...

Join us for the celebration of Holi at Navy Pier, a part of the Global Connections series presented by ComEd, on Saturday, March 4 from...

Inspired by solar and planetary movements, SOLSTICE is a monumental interactive installation that invites the audience to take control of the environment around them. Throughout...

Chicago’s favorite sky spectacle show Saturday nights at 10pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Find a spot anywhere on the pier to...

On Saturday, July 1st, Chicago’s favorite sky spectacle show shifts to 9pm for a special Independence Day Weekend Celebration. Find a spot anywhere on the...

Chicago’s favorite sky spectacle show Wednesday nights at 9pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Find a spot anywhere on the pier to...

Ring in the New Year with Chicago’s favorite sky spectacle show! Find a spot anywhere on the pier to welcome in the New Year with...

Artist Derrick Adams brings the playful installation, Funtime Unicorns, to Navy Pier beginning Thursday, April 13 in partnership with Expo Chicago, extending through the end...

Enjoy Live on the Lake - a FREE live music summer concert series in the Navy Pier Beer Garden from May 27 - September 4. Navy...

Save the date for the third annual Chicago Live! festival on Saturday, September 23, + Sunday, September 24, 2023. Showcasing Chicago’s vibrant arts and cultural...

Chicago’s top DJs mix it up this summer with the Wave Wall Wax series, playing your favorite house & dance music every Saturday starting May...

Pier Dance returns this summer with FREE dance lessons every Wednesday in June from 6PM-7:30PM. Leave it all on the dance floor with this fun...

Let the live music of Skyline Sessions boost your mood for the week! Enjoy FREE live outdoor music from 5PM-9PM every Thursday and Friday from...

Navy Pier's Chi-Soul Fest is back for its annual Pier-wide celebration of Chicago’s soul music legends and traditions! Join us on Saturday, June 10, and...

Explore the great achievements and contributions of Illinois’ finest in music in The State of Sound: A World of Music from Illinois exhibition at Navy...

Join us Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27 for LatiNxt, Navy Pier's annual celebration of modern Latin music and arts! This free two-day festival...

Celebrate Mexico Fest May 5-7 at Navy Pier!  In partnership with Consulado General de México en Chicago & The Government of Jalisco, over 30 artisan...

Break a sweat with free cardio workouts led by professional fitness instructors at the City Stage in Polk Bros Park. Rush Hour Workouts are for...

Unwind with the serenity of the city scene and lakefront as your backdrop for free yoga on the lawn. Relieve your stress once you hit...

As the excitement builds around the June 9th release of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Navy Pier welcomes life-size statues of Optimus Prime, Primal, and...

Navy Pier’s popular outdoor film series Water Flicks returns this summer with a focus on animals. Watch fan favorite films featuring beloved talking animals to...

See Chicago Dance celebrates the 11th annual Chicago Dance Month with a kick-off celebration Saturday, June 3 featuring FREE performances by MADD RHYTHMS, Ajumma Rising,...

On Friday, June 2nd from 4-6pm, witness a world of artistic growth and discovery with Growing Room, a performance art installation in the form of...

Join us at the Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park for a free concert by the Navy Band Great Lakes, Wind Ensemble at 6:30pm on...

Join us for an evening of free family friendly entertainment including live music from the Polyphonia Orchestra on Friday, July 14 at 6PM. Bring a...

Join us for a preview of race week excitement on Tuesday, June 27, from 5PM-9:30PM. This race week Fanfest Kick-Off event is free and open to...

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks: A Hero Within Directed and choreographed by Tor Campbell Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will offer free pop-up performances in...

In honor of Navy Pier’s 107th Birthday and National Ice Cream Month, join us on Saturday, July 15th for a joyful celebration filled with sweet...

Join us for our free annual young performers showcase, Fresh Fest!, Thursday, July 13, and Friday, July 14.  Fresh faces, fresh voices, and fresh ideas...

The free summer series Water Colors returns every Friday at 6:30PM from July 14 - August 25. Chicago is known for its colorful influence on...

Southside, Northside or Pierside? Meet in the middle at Navy Pier! Join us on Thursday, July 13 from 12PM to 2PM in Polk Bros Park....

Join the talented teens from After School Matters for performances highlighting peace in our great city on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, from 3PM-4:30PM. This event...

PRAA (Puerto Rican Arts Alliance) is honored to present to you some of the most prominent local music artists from Chicago at Noche Caribeña on...

American Crew, The #1 Premium Men’s Hair Brand in the World*, is bringing its iconic American Crew Styling Truck to Navy Pier during the Chicago...

Sequence Ch!cago is a free dynamic performance series celebrating local artists, musicians and cultural organizations showcasing their talents. Join us on Saturdays this fall from...

Prepare to be spooked and amazed as Navy Pier brings back Slightly Spooky Saturday on Saturday, October 28 from 12PM-8PM. Dive headfirst into a cauldron...

Join us for Housegiving on Wednesday, November 22 from 6:30PM to 1:30AM for the ultimate pre-Thanksgiving party. From newcomers to legends, the best of house...

New for the winter season! Navy Pier's free dazzling Award-Winning fireworks display will now feature Saturday shows this winter! Get cozy on the Pier and...

Navy Pier’s, A Blues Christmas, is a free special concert presented in collaboration with Alligator Records. Join us in the Aon Grand Ballroom on Friday,...