Navy Pier Inc.
07/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2026 09:55
The Spotlight Returns to Navy Pier as Chicago Live! Celebrates Its Sixth Festival
The Spotlight Returns to Navy Pier as Chicago Live! Celebrates Its Sixth Festival
The Midwest's largest free performing arts festival returns September 19 - 20
CHICAGO (July 16, 2026) - This fall, Navy Pier will once again transform into Chicago's largest free stage as Chicago Live! returns for its sixth year on September 19 and Sunday, September 20. Bringing together more than 100 of the city's most dynamic performing arts organizations and artists across five stages throughout Navy Pier, the two-day celebration invites Chicagoans and visitors alike to experience the breadth of Chicago's creative community.
Presented by The Pritzker Foundation with generous support from Ferrara Candy Company, Chicago Live! is a signature expression of Navy Pier's nonprofit mission to provide free, accessible arts and cultural experiences that inspire discovery, foster connection, and celebrate Chicago's creative community. Since its debut in 2021, the festival has grown from 43 performing companies to more than 100 artists and organizations, reflecting both the strength of Chicago's performing arts community and Navy Pier's commitment to creating opportunities for artists to reach new audiences.
"Navy Pier exists to bring people together through experiences that celebrate the very best of Chicago," said Marilynn Gardner, President and CEO of Navy Pier. "Chicago Live! transforms the Pier into a stage where artists, audiences and communities connect through the power of live performance. We're proud to provide a platform where both longtime favorites and emerging voices can be discovered, while making these experiences free and accessible to everyone."
This year's festival features a dynamic mix of returning favorites including, Anthony Rapp, Melody Angel, Kokandy Productions, Liquid Soul, Dancing Queen and Trinity Irish Dancers, alongside exciting newcomers such as RuPaul's Drag Race stars Utica and Denali, Q Brothers, Nico Segal, and Fat Theatre Project. With nearly one-third of this year's lineup making its Chicago Live! debut, the festival continues to evolve while showcasing the remarkable diversity and talent of Chicago's dynamic performing arts community.
More information about Chicago Live!, including the participating performing arts organizations and artists, is available on the Navy Pier website. The festival's performance schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
Assets from Chicago Live! 2025 can be found here.
About Navy Pier
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the most visited destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming more than 8 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases over 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. Today, Navy Pier continues to usher in its second century with ongoing redevelopment efforts including the 223-room Sable hotel, the all-transient Navy Pier Marina, and thrilling new attractions such as Flyover Chicago. The Pier is proud to present free programming designed to inspire and engage communities across the city and globe, including the #1 Fireworks display in the nation. For more information, visit NavyPier.org.
Navy Pier Inc. published this content on July 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 16, 2026 at 15:55 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]