A park for all seasons
It’s hard to believe that Millennium Park didn’t even exist 25 years ago, given how central it’s become to Chicago’s cultural and social landscape. The former industrial wasteland is now a bonafide hub for events of all kinds, from concerts and performances to tours and exhibitions. And fortunately, it’s easy to get there from Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago, at just about a half-mile walk away.
In The Summer
Millennium Park Summer Music Series:
Genre-defying music is the name of the game on Monday and Thursday nights in Millennium Park, when the
Summer Music Series
comes to town. Grab a seat on the Great Lawn or at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to see the local, national, and international acts that perform as part of this free event.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series:
Movies come to life on a giant, state-of-the-art LED screen for the
Summer Film Series,
every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. And even though it’s still light when the movie begins, don’t worry — the technology makes it so that you can see clearly, and the concert hall sound from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion will be music to your ears. Expect a lineup that has crowd-pleasing blockbusters, family favorites, and award winners.
In the Winter
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink:
Embrace the chill of the season at the
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink,
an outdoor venue that runs from mid-November to mid-March, weather permitting. Take a lesson, wow the crowds with a triple Salchow, or flail around like a baby bird learning to fly (no judgment!), then treat yourself to hot cocoa at the Park Grill next door.
Millennium Park Art & Architecture
Jay Pritzker Pavilion:
An incredible outdoor concert venue crafted from steel pipes and stainless steel ribbons, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is a must-visit for music fans. You’ll be blown away by the sound system, designed to mimic ones found indoors by distributing the sound equally, whether you’re in a fixed seat in the front or on a blanket at the back of the lawn.
Cloud Gate:
The star of selfies everywhere, “Cloud Gate” is an attention-grabbing piece of public art with a mirror-like surface that reflects the buildings and clouds above.
Crown Fountain:
See the faces of a wide range of Chicagoans projected on LED screens at the ends of a reflecting pool. From mid-spring to mid-fall, water flows from their mouths.
Boeing Galleries:
These two outdoor galleries feature modern and contemporary art; here, you can experience the pieces of living artists in a meaningful way.
Want to see more of the incredible art and architecture in Millennium Park? Click here.