Enjoy Chicago for FREE This Summer!

Chicago is known for its harsh winters, so the City of Chicago makes it easy to enjoy its few months of nice weather by offering a wide array of free events for visitors and residents alike. If you're planning a trip to the Windy City between Memorial Day and Labor Day, enjoy the free events listed here - and save your money for baseball, pizza, and shopping on Michigan Avenue! And check out the websites listed below to find more free events in Chicagoland this summer.

The Chicago Blues Festival
June 2 - 4, 2006
Admission: FREE
Featuring more than 50 performances on three stages, the Chicago Blues Festival is a Chicago tradition. The Festival also includes and art fair, local foods, and activities for the entire family. This year's featured performer is CeCe Winans. Other performers include Joann Rosario, Marvin Sapp, and Dottie Peoples. Presented by the Mayors Office of Special Events, the Blues Festival's hours are Friday, June 2nd from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th from 11:00a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Taste of Chicago
June 30 - July 9, 2006
Admission: FREE
The 26th Annual Taste of Chicago is the Midwest's largest food festival, and is a great way to taste the best food Chicago restaurants have to offer - all in one location! You can purchase tickets ahead of time, or at the Taste and use them to buy "taste" portions of foods like cheesecake, Italian beef, deep dish pizza, frozen bananas, and even wild boar sausage. While eating, visitors can enjoy musical entertainment on three stages, cooking demonstrations, and on July 3rd, a fireworks display.

Chicago Country Music Festival
July 1 - 2, 2006
Admission: FREE
As part of the Taste of Chicago, the Country Music Festival always attracts big names in country music. This year's headliners are Glen Campbell and Jo Dee Messina! Other performers include SHeDaisy and Phil Vassar. The festivities begin at 11:00a.m. in Grant Park.

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
July 18 - August 29, 2006
Admission: FREE
In it's seventh year, Chicago's Outdoor Film Festival is fast becoming a summer tradition. On Tuesdays from July 18 through August 29, everyone is invited to Butler Field in Grant Park to enjoy this unique outdoor theater experience. This year's selections include: Rebel Without a Cause, American Graffiti, On the Waterfront, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Movies begin at sunset, so bring your picnic and blankets and enjoy the show!

Chicago Air and Water Show
August 19 - 20, 2006
Admission: FREE
If you're in Chicago on August 19th or 20th, don't miss the 48th Annual Air & Water Show. It is a must see, and is the largest free show of its kind in the U.S. Bring a blanket, snacks and sunscreen and camp out at one of the many lakefront parks and beaches for an amazing experience including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. The water show starts at 9a.m., followed by the air show from 11:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Chicago Jazz Festival
August 31 - September 3, 2006
Admission: FREE
Wrap up the summer with Chicago's 28th annual Jazz Festival at Grant Park. The Festival's theme this year is "Tribute to New Orleans." In addition to excellent jazz performances, the Festival features an art show with handmade crafts and artwork for sale.

Other free activities to enjoy during the summer months in Chicago are the many neighborhood festivals going on each weekend (for a complete listing, check out the 2006 Festival Guide at www.metromix.com), and a fireworks extravaganza each Saturday evening from May through September at Navy Pier (for more information, see www.navypier.com). And don't forget, Chicago is know around the world for its beautiful architecture. Although there are many tours that show off the city's most famous buildings, you can always see these landmarks for free with a good map in hand!

You can find out more about all of these events at the City of Chicago's website: www.cityofchicago.org. For special hotel rates for these events, call (877) CHICAGO, or visit www.877chicago.com.