City of Chicago Announces 2026 Chicago Jazz Festival Lineup Sept. 3-6, Featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap Duo, Robert Glasper, M.E.B. (Miles Electric Band) and[...]

Following Chicago's Global Recognition as International Jazz Day Host City, Four Days of Free Performances at Millennium Park Celebrate Chicago's Legacy as a Jazz Capital

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced the lineup for the 2026 Chicago Jazz Festival, presented by Wells Fargo, taking place Thursday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 6, at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. The beloved Labor Day weekend tradition returns with four days of free performances featuring internationally acclaimed artists, celebrated Chicago musicians and rising talent.

"Chicago's jazz legacy continues to shape the sound of music around the world, and the Chicago Jazz Festival is a celebration of the creativity, artistry and cultural spirit that define our city," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "This annual tradition brings together residents and visitors for unforgettable performances while honoring the generations of musicians who have made Chicago a global destination for jazz."

"The Chicago Jazz Festival remains one of the city's most treasured cultural traditions, bringing together legendary artists, innovative performers and audiences from across the globe for an unforgettable Labor Day weekend experience," said DCASE Commissioner Kenya K. Merritt. "After an incredible roster of citywide programming that reflected Chicago's jazz legacy for International Jazz Day, this year's lineup showcases the incredible depth and diversity of jazz while continuing Chicago's proud tradition of presenting free world-class arts programming in the heart of downtown."

Produced by DCASE and programmed in partnership with the Jazz Institute of Chicago (JIC) and the Chicago Jazz Festival Committee, the Chicago Jazz Festival continues its tradition as one of the world's premier free jazz festivals, spotlighting the city's rich musical heritage while showcasing the evolving landscape of jazz. As the longtime programming partner for the Chicago Jazz Festival since 1979, JIC collaborates with DCASE to present an exceptional lineup of international, national, local and emerging jazz artists while continuing to celebrate and preserve the city's rich jazz legacy.

"We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with DCASE to bring the Chicago Jazz Festival to audiences from across the city and around the world," said Heather Ireland Robinson, Executive Director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago. "This festival celebrates the extraordinary legacy of jazz in Chicago while creating space for innovation, discovery and the next generation of artists."

The 2026 festival features an acclaimed slate of headliners at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, including Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater performing with acclaimed pianist Bill Charlap on opening night, genre-defying pianist and producer Robert Glasper, M.E.B. (Miles Electric Band) celebrating the Miles Davis Centennial, and Grammy-winning clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera. Glasper will also kick off the festival on Thursday, Sept. 3, with a riveting "Music to Movies Scoring Master Class".

Additional festival highlights include performances by Joel Ross Good Vibes; Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project featuring Dee Alexander, Isaiah Collier, Paul Cornish, Emma Dayhuff, Jonathan Pinson and Corey Wilkes; Paul Marinaro's "Mood Ellington"; Patricia Brennan Septet; Bethany Pickens Soulful Coalition and Isaiah Collier performing "COLLIER plays COLTRANE." Festivalgoers can also enjoy the return of the WDCB Jazz Lounge, an intimate performance space featuring local jazz artists and emerging talent in a relaxed setting that celebrates Chicago's vibrant jazz community.

As in previous years, outside alcohol is not allowed for the Chicago Jazz Festival, but alcohol may be purchased inside the venue. Before visiting, please be advised of other Prohibited Items at MillenniumPark.org. For Millennium Park safety and security information, visit the Plan Your Visit page of MillenniumPark.org.

2026 Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule - Jay Pritzker Pavilion

All performances are free and open to the public. Schedule subject to change.

Thursday, Sept. 3 - Opening Night

Millennium Park - Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601
Programming 6-9 p.m.

• 6-6:15 p.m. - 2 Brown Sisters: Maggie and Africa Brown
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Joel Ross Good Vibes
• 7:45-9 p.m. - Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap Duo

Friday, Sept. 4

• 4-4:45 p.m. - The Jo Ann Daugherty Trio with special guest, Henry Johnson
• 5:05-6:05 p.m. - Luciano Antonio Quintet
• 6:25-7:25 p.m. - Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project featuring Dee Alexander, Corey Wilkes, Isaiah Collier, Paul Cornish, Jonathan Pinson, and Emma Dayhuff
• 7:45-9 p.m. - Robert Glasper

Saturday, Sept. 5

• 4-4:45 p.m. - Prodigio Claudio
• 5:05-6:05 p.m. - Patricia Brennan Septet
• 6:25-7:25 p.m. - Paul Marinaro's "Mood Ellington"
• 7:45-9 p.m. - M.E.B. (Miles Electric Band) celebrating The Miles Davis Centennial

Sunday, Sept. 6

• 4-4:45 p.m. - Bruce Henry Quintet
• 5:05-6:05 p.m. - Isaiah Collier: "COLLIER plays COLTRANE"
• 6:25-7:25 p.m. - Bethany Pickens Soulful Coalition
• 7:45-9 p.m. - Paquito D'Rivera

The Chicago Jazz Festival programming is generously supported by the following sponsors: 90.9fm WDCB, Capital Vacations, Chicago Jazz Publishing, Chicago Public Media, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Jazz Magazine, DownBeat Magazine, Humana, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Millennium Garages and Millennium Park Foundation.

Additional performance details will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit ChicagoJazzFestival.us and Chicago.gov/DCASE.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

Millennium Park
Millennium Park is an iconic cultural destination in Chicago's downtown. The anchor of an urban cultural campus (Millennium Park Campus) that includes the Chicago Cultural Center, Maggie Daley Park and The Art Institute of Chicago, the park is the #1 attraction in the Midwest and among the top ten most-visited sites in the United States. Millennium Park is located on Michigan Avenue, bordered by Randolph St. to the north, Columbus Dr. to the east and Monroe St. to the south. The Park is open 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily. For the latest news and events, visit millenniumpark.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, @Millennium_Park.