UPDATE: The Grant Park Music Festival is set to ignite a vibrant celebration of American music as it prepares for its 2026 season, coinciding with the United States’ 250th birthday. Conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero, this festival promises a rich musical tapestry that blends familiar classics with fresh, innovative voices.
The festival kicks off on June 10, 2026, at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, featuring an exhilarating opening night program that includes Joan Tower’s Made in America, Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and Samuel Barber’s Symphony No. 1. This inaugural concert sets the tone for a season that runs through August 15, 2026, with events held at both the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Harris Theater.
Guerrero, who is making his mark as the festival’s artistic director and principal conductor, emphasizes the theme of “What is American music?”. His vision seeks to challenge traditional notions of American music by incorporating a diverse array of composers—both iconic figures and those inspired by or who have journeyed to the United States. “The question that I was asking myself is, What is ‘American music’?” Guerrero stated, underscoring the festival’s mission to present familiar works through new cultural lenses.
The festival’s lineup is a compelling blend of the established and the contemporary, featuring renowned composers like George Gershwin and Aaron Copland. Additionally, expect special events including a headline appearance by Ben Folds, alongside two world premieres and numerous Chicago and Illinois premieres. Guerrero’s program aims to create a broader, more inclusive portrait of America’s musical landscape as it celebrates this significant milestone.
In a notable twist, the festival will welcome back two former principals: Carlos Kalmar will lead performances on July 1, 3, and 8, while Leonard Slatkin will conduct a program on July 10-11 that features Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and Slatkin’s own Schubertiade, alongside Joseph Schwantner’s violin concerto performed by soloist Yevgeny Kutik. Other guest conductors include Christopher Bell, Kalena Bovell, Jeri-Lynne Johnson, Edwin Outwater, and Kedrick Armstrong. The festival also boasts a roster of distinguished soloists, including Anne Akiko Meyers, Olga Kern, Garrick Ohlsson, and Stewart Goodyear.
All concerts at the Grant Park Music Festival will remain free, offering general seating on the lawn while reserved seats and exclusive benefits are available through membership. Membership tiers include reserved seating, discounted parking, and invitations to member-only events, with various price points and packages now on sale.
As excitement builds for this landmark season, mark your calendars for June 10, 2026, and prepare for a summer filled with the sounds of America—both familiar and new. Stay tuned for more updates as the festival approaches, and join in celebrating a defining moment in the nation’s cultural history.
