This is the time of year when you look around and think, I haven’t accomplished summer yet and now it’s on its way out. Time to get to some outdoor live music. Even as Lollapalooza wraps up in Grant Park, there are promising nights ahead at Ravinia Festival, on Northerly Island, at Wrigley. Below are 25 outdoor concerts and festivals around Chicago from now until mid-September. Autumn begins the Monday after Riot Fest.
Sold-out shows such as Oasis at Soldier Field aren’t on this list; all concerts listed here have standard tickets still available as of press time.
Cyndi Lauper: The longtime hitmaker’s last two big projects were a 12th studio album (“Detour“) and composing the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots,” which had its world premiere in Chicago in 2012. Lauper announced in 2024 that she would retire from touring with one final go-around; her “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour” comes to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 5; livenation.com
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Tribune contributing critic Bob Gendron included this show in his top 10 for summer 2025: “At this ambitious outing, the Chicago Philharmonic helps the collective bring it to life. Expect fireworks without the boom.” At Ravinia Festival on Aug. 6; ravinia.org
Rod Stewart: Now 80, the British singer-songwriter has nothing left to prove, but he’s still recording new material, including a 2024 album of big band music (“Swing Fever”) with Jools Holland. His “One Last Time Tour” comes to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 8; livenation.com
LatiNxt: What has become an annual free weekend festival of contemporary Latin music returns to Navy Pier Aug. 9-10; navypier.org/latinxt
Goo Goo Dolls: The ’90s band is traveling with Dashboard Confessional on their “Summer Anthem Tour,” coming to Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island on Aug. 13; livenation.com
Nelly with Ja Rule: The rapper and reality TV star’s “Where The Party At Tour” will also include Eve, St. Lunatics and Chingy at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 13; livenation.com
Billy Idol: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee is back on the road with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. “It’s A Nice Day To … Tour Again” comes to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 14; livenation.com
Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge: They’ll play their own songs and together on stage in their “Yes We Are” tour. Many shows at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park are free, but this one on Aug. 17 requires a ticket; jaypritzkerpavilion.com
Chicago House Music Festival: The annual free celebration of the Chicago art form begins with an Aug. 21 conference at the Cultural Center. Then Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park Aug. 22-23; chicago.gov
John Legend: His current tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of his acclaimed debut album “Get Lifted.” At Ravinia Festival Aug. 23-24; ravinia.org
Lil Wayne: The rapper is touring behind “Tha Carter VI,” his 14th solo studio album, performing with Tyga and Belly Gang Kushington at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 24; livenation.com
Jonas Brothers: After a quick ticket reversal in June, the “JONAS20 Greetings From Your Hometown” tour is coming to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 26 instead of Wrigley; livenation.com
Neil Young: This concert with new backing band Chrome Hearts brings Young to the lakefront after a 2024 show with Crazy Horse was postponed due to illness. At Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on Aug. 27; livenation.com
Chris Brown: His all-stadium “Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour” brings him to Wrigley Field with guests Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller on Aug. 28; mlb.com
Jazz Fest: Headliners this year include the Grammy-winning vocalist Esperanza Spalding, pianist Monty Alexander, and trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins. Cuban guitarist and singer Eliades Ochoa will close the fest on Sunday night. The annual free festival over Labor Day weekend is programmed by the nonprofit Jazz Institute of Chicago, presented at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park Aug. 28-31; chicago.gov
My Chemical Romance: They’ll play their 2006 album “The Black Parade” and were last in Chicago for Riot Fest in 2022. Soldier Field on Aug. 29; soldierfield.com
North Coast: The EDM festival’s lineup for 2025 includes a return for deadmau5, the Grammy winner ZEDD, dubstep artist Excision, Chris Lake, Kaskade and Louis The Child. At SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview Aug. 29-31; northcoastfestival.com
ARC: This three-day EDM festival boasts Eric Prydz, Jamie xx, John Summit, Amelie Lens and Richie Hawtin in Union Park in Chicago Aug. 29-31; arcmusicfestival.com
System of A Down: The longtime Armenian American heavy metal band is joined by Avenged Sevenfold for two nights at Soldier Field, Aug. 31-Sept. 1; soldierfield.com
Evanston Folk Festival: Headliners include Margo Price and Iron & Wine, and don’t miss the Chicago Public Media Talk Tents, with appearances by Rosanne Cash and others. In Evanston’s Dawes Park Sept. 6-7; evanstonfolkfestival.com
The Miracle in Mundelein: The cannabis-friendly, ages 21+ music festival includes Damian “Jr. Gong” and Stephen Marley, Dark Star Orchestra and Umphrey’s McGee in Mundelein Sept. 6-7; themiracleconcert.com
Beach Bunny Pool Party Festival: With a title that says “summer,” the lineup also includes Soccer Mommy, Sidney Gish and Great Grandpa at Salt Shed Fairgrounds on Sept. 7; saltshedchicago.com
Waxahatchee: Katie Crutchfield’s latest indie music project performs with Jessica Pratt and Sharp Pins on the Salt Shed Fairgrounds on Sept. 9; saltshedchicago.com
Pixies: The ’90s alt-rockers are on tour with guest artists Spoon & Fazerdaze at Salt Shed on Sept. 15; saltshedchicago.com
Riot Fest: This year’s headliners in Douglass Park include Blink-182 on Friday, Weezer and Jack White on Saturday and Green Day on Sunday, along with sets by the Sex Pistols and The Beach Boys (current lineups), Weird Al Yankovic, Idles, Alkaline Trio and All Time Low, Sept. 19-21; riotfest.org
dgeorge@chicagotribune.com
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