The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the lineup for the 2025 Chicago House Music Festival and Conference, celebrating the birthplace of House Music with four days of events that are open and free to the public from Aug. 21–24.
The celebration kicks off Thursday, Aug. 21, with the Chicago House Music Conference and Cultural Center Open House, an inspiring evening of community conversations, dance workshops and live DJ sets inside the Chicago Cultural Center. Panel discussions with music industry professionals will explore themes such as community and collaboration, creative processes, nightlife and culture, music marketing and more.
“The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference celebrates Chicago’s global impact on House music,” said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “This year’s lineup pays tribute to the genre’s deep roots in the city while spotlighting the next generation of DJs and artists. Whether you’re a longtime ‘house head’ or new to the scene, everyone’s invited to join us for a weekend of music, dance, and community.”
Photos by Walter S. Mitchell III/City of Chicago
On Friday, Aug. 22, the festival heads outdoors to Grant Park’s Spirit of Music Garden for Chicago House at SummerDance. Daytime programming will include dance masterclasses led by professional instructors inside the Dance Studio at the Chicago Cultural Center. The evening will feature additional dance lessons and DJ sets by Vince Adams and DJ Lil John in Grant Park.
On Saturday, Aug. 23, the heart of the festival returns to Millennium Park with a daylong celebration across four stages: the Legacy Stage at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Soulful House Stage, the Chicago House Stage and the Groove Garden Stage. The event will also feature youth workshops and the Chicago House Dance Summit, offering a mix of family-friendly experiences and a showcase of the genre’s top talents. Mainstage acts providing the soundtrack of the day include Andre and Tony Hatchett of the Chosen Few DJs, DJ Pharris Thomas, Waxmaster, Tyree Cooper, Ralphi Rosario and more.
On Sunday, Aug. 24, Wind Down: House on the Riverwalk offers music lovers a laid-back afternoon of grooves along the Confluence of the Chicago River, featuring DJ Jerome Baker and Julio Bishop.
For the full event lineup and additional information, visit ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us or follow on Instagram (@chicagodcase), Facebook and X for the latest updates. The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference is presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), with sponsorship from Millennium Garages and the Chicago Transit Authority, and additional support from the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation and the Millennium Park Foundation.
For accessibility accommodations, including ASL interpretation, contact DCASE at [email protected] by August 18, 2025.