World Music Festival Chicago 2024

The World Music Festival in Chicago showcases vibrant sounds of world tunes played by award-winning musicians from over 20 countries. As the largest and longest-running international music festival in the United States, it draws approximately 20,000 spectators annually.

Festival Highlights

World Music Festival Chicago is a city-wide, multi-venue event celebrated by all Chicago ethnic groups. It offers a unique global culture and music perspective, featuring sounds from diverse regions, including Brazil, South Korea, and Senegal. The ten-day festival is organized by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Since its inception in 1999, it has attracted over 650,000 attendees and hosted more than 600 artists and music groups from over 80 countries, making it the largest world music festival in the USA.

Dates

World Music Festival Chicago will take place from Friday, September 20, to Sunday, September 29, showcasing ten straight days of live international music.

Program & Schedule

This year, World Music Festival Chicago will feature 31 artists from 16 countries and regions, along with seven local music groups. Ragamala, the largest all-night Indian classical music event in the U.S., will kick off the festival at the Chicago Cultural Center from 6 pm on September 20 to 8 am on September 21. New this year, the Global Carnival in Millennium Park on September 22 from 5–9 pm will feature Afro-Brazilian and New Orleans performances. The festival will conclude with a Global Peace Party at Navy Pier on September 29, starting at 2 pm, with music from Chicago, Poland, and Cuba. You can find the full schedule here.

Admission & Locations

The annual World Music Festival Chicago offers dozens of concerts featuring international and local artists performing music from around the globe at more than ten venues throughout the city. The two most popular locations are the Chicago Cultural Center and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. All events offer free admission. Seating is available on a first-come basis. Visitors must be aware that some venues have limited capacity, so an early arrival is encouraged.