Illinois summer music festivals take place each year in Chicago, Chillicothe and Bushnell. The festivals feature a diverse mixture of musical genres, including blues, country, rhythm and blues, popular, rock and Christian rock beats.
The Chicago Blues Festival has taken place each summer on the city’s lakefront at Grant Park. The music festival dates back to 1984. According to Chicago’s official tourism website, “Living Blues” magazine named the Chicago Blues Festival, which takes place in early June, America’s best blues festival in 1993 and 1994. The website also states that the Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s largest free blues festival and the city’s largest music festival. Since its inception, the festival has featured top blues musicians, including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, the late Ray Charles and the late Bo Diddley. The Chicago Blues Festival lasts three days. The specific dates for this summer Chicago music festival varies each year.
Chicago Blues Festival
Grant Park
337 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60605
312-744-3315
The Summer Camp Music Festival dates back to 2001. The Illinois summer music festival takes place in late May. It attracts more than 10,000 attendees each year to Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois. The Summer Camp Music Festival is a four-day event where attendees don’t have to go home until it’s completely over. The attendees can camp out at Three Sisters Park in tents or recreational vehicles during the duration of the music festival. More than 50 bands perform on five stages during the Summer Camp Music Festival. The festival includes a diverse group of musicians. Notable past performers include The Roots, Willie Nelson, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and O.A.R.
Summer Camp Music Festival
Three Sisters Park
17201 N. State Route 29
Chillicothe, IL 61523-9608
309-274-8837
summercampfestival.com
The Cornerstone Festival is a summer Christian rock music festival that takes place each year in Bushnell, Illinois from late June to early July. The festival dates back to 1984. It also features art exhibits. The Cornerstone Festival lasts four days and attracts thousands each year. There are areas at the festival where attendees can camp out. Past performers at the Cornerstone Festival include Haste the Day, Blessed By A Broken Heart and Michael Roe. Jesus People USA is the organizer of the Cornerstone Music Festival. The Chicago-based group is a ministry and outreach organization.
Cornerstone Festival
920 W. Wilson Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
773-989-2087
cornerstonefestival.com
