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Frigid temps are no match for the heat we're bringing! 🔥 DCASE 2026 event and festival season dates just dropped.

From the return of beloved staples like the Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, and the Chicago Air and Water Show, to citywide programs including Chicago SummerDance, Farmers Markets and free outdoor concerts and films in Millennium Park, Chicago’s cultural calendar is once again set to energize our residents and global visitors.

Stay tuned for full event lineups and additional announcements at chicago.gov/DCASE. ⭐

T-minus 10 days until our City of Chicago market season begins 🤩

🥬 May 16: Division Street Farmers Market
🛍️ May 17: Maxwell Street
🍅 May 21: Daley Plaza

Markets run May through October. For a full list of farmers market vendors, visit ChicagoFarmersMarket.us and check out this year's Maxwell Street lineups at MawellStreetMarket.us. Tell us in the comments what you're looking forward to discovering at your local market!

T-minus 10 days until our City of Chicago market season begins 🤩

🥬 May 16: Division Street Farmers Market
🛍️ May 17: Maxwell Street
🍅 May 21: Daley Plaza

Markets run May through October. For a full list of farmers market vendors, visit ChicagoFarmersMarket.us and check out this year's Maxwell Street lineups at MawellStreetMarket.us. Tell us in the comments what you're looking forward to discovering at your local market!

T-minus 10 days until our City of Chicago market season begins 🤩

🥬 May 16: Division Street Farmers Market
🛍️ May 17: Maxwell Street
🍅 May 21: Daley Plaza

Markets run May through October. For a full list of farmers market vendors, visit ChicagoFarmersMarket.us and check out this year's Maxwell Street lineups at MawellStreetMarket.us. Tell us in the comments what you're looking forward to discovering at your local market!

Calling all arts nonprofits! The CityArts grant program is now open and accepting applicants for the 2026 cycle! ⭐

Eligible Chicago arts and culture nonprofits of all sizes and artistic disciplines are encouraged to apply for general operating grants and project grants, if eligible, to support organizations fueling our thriving creative economy.

For more information about the CityArts program, visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org. The deadline to apply is June 3!

The @chicagodcase 2026 Millennium Park Summer Series lineup for workouts, music and film is live! 🌞

This year, we're having fun in the sun with energetic musical performances, weekly fitness classes and screenings of some of the most iconic films of the last few decades.

🧘 Millennium Park Summer Workouts: Saturdays, May 16 – September 5
🎤 Millennium Park Summer Music Series: Mondays & Thursdays, June 15 – August 6
🍿 Millennium Park Summer Film Series: Tuesdays, June 30 – August 18

View the full schedule at MillenniumPark.org and follow along here for more exciting updates! 🤩

The @chicagodcase 2026 Millennium Park Summer Series lineup for workouts, music and film is live! 🌞

This year, we're having fun in the sun with energetic musical performances, weekly fitness classes and screenings of some of the most iconic films of the last few decades.

🧘 Millennium Park Summer Workouts: Saturdays, May 16 – September 5
🎤 Millennium Park Summer Music Series: Mondays & Thursdays, June 15 – August 6
🍿 Millennium Park Summer Film Series: Tuesdays, June 30 – August 18

View the full schedule at MillenniumPark.org and follow along here for more exciting updates! 🤩

The @chicagodcase 2026 Millennium Park Summer Series lineup for workouts, music and film is live! 🌞

This year, we're having fun in the sun with energetic musical performances, weekly fitness classes and screenings of some of the most iconic films of the last few decades.

🧘 Millennium Park Summer Workouts: Saturdays, May 16 – September 5
🎤 Millennium Park Summer Music Series: Mondays & Thursdays, June 15 – August 6
🍿 Millennium Park Summer Film Series: Tuesdays, June 30 – August 18

View the full schedule at MillenniumPark.org and follow along here for more exciting updates! 🤩

📢 ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS:

DCASE visual arts team, in partnership with Chicago Department of Aviation, is currently seeking artists for two site-specific public art commissions at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) for the Concourse level and Baggage Claim level. 🛄

Join the artist information webinar on May 20 to learn more about the opportunities! Deadline to submit is Friday, June 12, so visit the DCASE Public Art page at chicago.gov/DCASE for the application.

RE•VER•BER•ATE, a free citywide, multidisciplinary arts festival built around student performances and creative experiences, will return to the Chicago Cultural Center May 5-8!🍎🚸

Over four days CPS students from PreK-12th grade take center stage at the Chicago Cultural Center, and the entire community is invited to attend.

Learn more about the festival at cps.edu/reverberate and visit the DCASE table next week to say hi to our talented team and receive artist resources!

It's been an incredible week celebrating Chicago's jazz legacy on a global stage with International Jazz Day, in partnership with @chicagojazzalliance and @hancockinstitute! 🎷

Over the last few days, the @chicagoculturalcenter, @millennium_park, and beyond were activated with live performances, special receptions and educational panels that underscore our city's rich contributions to the city. Chicago's own Herbie Hancock even received a key to the city from Mayor Brandon Johnson!

It all culminates with the live All-Star Global Concert, so join us tonight at 7 p.m. at Lyric Opera or tune in to the livestream for the moving sounds of global jazz sensations. 🎺

It's been an incredible week celebrating Chicago's jazz legacy on a global stage with International Jazz Day, in partnership with @chicagojazzalliance and @hancockinstitute! 🎷

Over the last few days, the @chicagoculturalcenter, @millennium_park, and beyond were activated with live performances, special receptions and educational panels that underscore our city's rich contributions to the city. Chicago's own Herbie Hancock even received a key to the city from Mayor Brandon Johnson!

It all culminates with the live All-Star Global Concert, so join us tonight at 7 p.m. at Lyric Opera or tune in to the livestream for the moving sounds of global jazz sensations. 🎺

It's been an incredible week celebrating Chicago's jazz legacy on a global stage with International Jazz Day, in partnership with @chicagojazzalliance and @hancockinstitute! 🎷

Over the last few days, the @chicagoculturalcenter, @millennium_park, and beyond were activated with live performances, special receptions and educational panels that underscore our city's rich contributions to the city. Chicago's own Herbie Hancock even received a key to the city from Mayor Brandon Johnson!

It all culminates with the live All-Star Global Concert, so join us tonight at 7 p.m. at Lyric Opera or tune in to the livestream for the moving sounds of global jazz sensations. 🎺

It's been an incredible week celebrating Chicago's jazz legacy on a global stage with International Jazz Day, in partnership with @chicagojazzalliance and @hancockinstitute! 🎷

Over the last few days, the @chicagoculturalcenter, @millennium_park, and beyond were activated with live performances, special receptions and educational panels that underscore our city's rich contributions to the city. Chicago's own Herbie Hancock even received a key to the city from Mayor Brandon Johnson!

It all culminates with the live All-Star Global Concert, so join us tonight at 7 p.m. at Lyric Opera or tune in to the livestream for the moving sounds of global jazz sensations. 🎺

Unlock resources. Connect with DCASE! 🔓

🗣️ Learn about our programs directly from the team
📔 Access creative resources and opportunities
🧢 Pick up exclusive swag

We're bringing arts + culture directly to Chicago's 77 neighborhoods.

Invite Experience DCASE to your next community event: 💌 DCASE@cityofchicago.org

One week from today Chicago celebrates #InternationalJazzDay! 🎺 As the 2026 host city for the global initiative led by Chicago's own Herbie Hancock and @UNESCO, the monthlong, citywide celebration culminates with the Global All-Star Concert at @lyricopera on Thursday, April 30!

But there are ample opportunities to get jazzy before the big day. Check out the events hosted by DCASE at the @chicagoculturalcenter throughout the week. For the full event calendar, visit chicago.jazzday.com!

One week from today Chicago celebrates #InternationalJazzDay! 🎺 As the 2026 host city for the global initiative led by Chicago's own Herbie Hancock and @UNESCO, the monthlong, citywide celebration culminates with the Global All-Star Concert at @lyricopera on Thursday, April 30!

But there are ample opportunities to get jazzy before the big day. Check out the events hosted by DCASE at the @chicagoculturalcenter throughout the week. For the full event calendar, visit chicago.jazzday.com!

One week from today Chicago celebrates #InternationalJazzDay! 🎺 As the 2026 host city for the global initiative led by Chicago's own Herbie Hancock and @UNESCO, the monthlong, citywide celebration culminates with the Global All-Star Concert at @lyricopera on Thursday, April 30!

But there are ample opportunities to get jazzy before the big day. Check out the events hosted by DCASE at the @chicagoculturalcenter throughout the week. For the full event calendar, visit chicago.jazzday.com!

“april is for the poets”: This month, @chicagocta Blue Line and @fly2ohare’s Airport Transit System (ATS) passengers can experience A City That Writes Together, a participatory project bringing poems and poets into public space, in a new, moving way during National Poetry Month. The project, developed by Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate, avery r. young, celebrates poets laureate, past and present, among others influential to Chicago’s poetry community. 🩵

Poets featured include: Mayda del Valle, Mark Turcotte, Angela Jackson, Eila Kittikamron Mora, Lala Bolander, Nina Corwin, Tina M. Howell, Nile Lansana, E’mon Lauren, and avery r. young.

To learn more about the project and City of Chicago programming for National Poetry Month, visit Chicago.gov/PoetLaureate.

“april is for the poets”: This month, @chicagocta Blue Line and @fly2ohare’s Airport Transit System (ATS) passengers can experience A City That Writes Together, a participatory project bringing poems and poets into public space, in a new, moving way during National Poetry Month. The project, developed by Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate, avery r. young, celebrates poets laureate, past and present, among others influential to Chicago’s poetry community. 🩵

Poets featured include: Mayda del Valle, Mark Turcotte, Angela Jackson, Eila Kittikamron Mora, Lala Bolander, Nina Corwin, Tina M. Howell, Nile Lansana, E’mon Lauren, and avery r. young.

To learn more about the project and City of Chicago programming for National Poetry Month, visit Chicago.gov/PoetLaureate.

“april is for the poets”: This month, @chicagocta Blue Line and @fly2ohare’s Airport Transit System (ATS) passengers can experience A City That Writes Together, a participatory project bringing poems and poets into public space, in a new, moving way during National Poetry Month. The project, developed by Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate, avery r. young, celebrates poets laureate, past and present, among others influential to Chicago’s poetry community. 🩵

Poets featured include: Mayda del Valle, Mark Turcotte, Angela Jackson, Eila Kittikamron Mora, Lala Bolander, Nina Corwin, Tina M. Howell, Nile Lansana, E’mon Lauren, and avery r. young.

To learn more about the project and City of Chicago programming for National Poetry Month, visit Chicago.gov/PoetLaureate.

“april is for the poets”: This month, @chicagocta Blue Line and @fly2ohare’s Airport Transit System (ATS) passengers can experience A City That Writes Together, a participatory project bringing poems and poets into public space, in a new, moving way during National Poetry Month. The project, developed by Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate, avery r. young, celebrates poets laureate, past and present, among others influential to Chicago’s poetry community. 🩵

Poets featured include: Mayda del Valle, Mark Turcotte, Angela Jackson, Eila Kittikamron Mora, Lala Bolander, Nina Corwin, Tina M. Howell, Nile Lansana, E’mon Lauren, and avery r. young.

To learn more about the project and City of Chicago programming for National Poetry Month, visit Chicago.gov/PoetLaureate.

REMINDER! 📅 DCASE is currently accepting vendor applications for:

🍗 Taste of Chicago (July 8-12): Are you a food truck, restaurant, caterer or licensed kitchen? Deadline to submit: Mon 4/20

🛍️ Maxwell Street (June 7): Calling all small businesses, farmers, gardeners, artists, makers, and re-sellers to be a vendor at Maxwell Street. Deadline to submit for the June market: Sun 4/26

Head to the DCASE Opportunities page at chicago.gov/DCASE to learn more about each application and submit!

REMINDER! 📅 DCASE is currently accepting vendor applications for:

🍗 Taste of Chicago (July 8-12): Are you a food truck, restaurant, caterer or licensed kitchen? Deadline to submit: Mon 4/20

🛍️ Maxwell Street (June 7): Calling all small businesses, farmers, gardeners, artists, makers, and re-sellers to be a vendor at Maxwell Street. Deadline to submit for the June market: Sun 4/26

Head to the DCASE Opportunities page at chicago.gov/DCASE to learn more about each application and submit!

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is proud to announce today City Council officially confirmed Kenya Merritt as Commissioner, after serving as Acting Commissioner since October 2025! 🩵

"Chicago’s arts and cultural community is unmatched, and I am committed to advancing bold investments, expanding equitable access and strengthening our creative economy. Together, we will build a more connected and thriving cultural ecosystem," said Commissioner Merritt.

Through Commissioner Merritt's leadership, the department will continue advancing initiatives and programming that reflects the diversity, innovation and global influence of our city. ⭐

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is proud to announce today City Council officially confirmed Kenya Merritt as Commissioner, after serving as Acting Commissioner since October 2025! 🩵

"Chicago’s arts and cultural community is unmatched, and I am committed to advancing bold investments, expanding equitable access and strengthening our creative economy. Together, we will build a more connected and thriving cultural ecosystem," said Commissioner Merritt.

Through Commissioner Merritt's leadership, the department will continue advancing initiatives and programming that reflects the diversity, innovation and global influence of our city. ⭐