Dancing at Millennium Park. (Patrick L. Pyszka / City of Chicago)

The city of Chicago is hosting a summer’s worth of free world-class arts programming for Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary season. The 2024 lineup offers a variety of live music, festivals and even fitness activities, all with the city’s skyline as the backdrop.

The Summer Music Series runs July 1 through Aug. 8, with performances on Mondays and Thursdays. The seven-part series features a diverse range of artists including GZA, Charlie Musselwhite, Terrace Martin and more. Held in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, pre-shows begin at 5:30 p.m., with concerts starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Summer Film Series will be held Tuesdays from July 16 to Aug. 20. The first watch party kicks off at 6 p.m. July 16 with a special double feature, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and “Jurassic Park.” Other summer films include “Barbie,” “Coco,” “American Fiction,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Wonka.”

The Chicago Gospel Music Festival will be held June 1, while the Chicago Blues Festival — featuring a farewell performance from Buddy Guy — is June 6-9.

For 10 weeks, there will also be the Grant Park Music Festival, which runs June 12 through Aug. 17 with a series of one-night-only performances.

The Chicago Jazz Festival returns Aug. 29 through Sept. 1.

From July 18-21, Millennium Park will be home to a special 20th anniversary celebration featuring the ¡Súbelo! festival to be headlined by Fruko y Sus Tesos. The Grant Park Orchestra presents “Star Wars and More: the Music of John Williams” on July 19. Common and the Grant Park Orchestra perform the following night. The S&S Chicago Experience closes out the celebration July 21 with a house music showcase.

Returning for its second year is the Millennium Park Residency Program, featuring five cultural organizations that have received funding and resources to showcase their work. Performers and dates include:

• Experimental Sound Studio (July 13, Aug.15)
• Collaboraction Theatre with Teatro Vista (Aug. 23)
• Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (Aug. 24)
• Vocalo Presents (Sept. 20)
• and the Old Town School of Folk Music (Sept. 22).

For the Summer Workout series, there’ll be free 45-minute classes — including Pilates, Yoga, Cardio Kickboxing and Zumba — on Saturday mornings from May 18-Aug. 31.

For the full lineup and more information, click here.

Follow Angel Idowu on Twitter: @angelidowu3

Angel Idowu is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.