Summer’s biggest celebration is happening at Navy Pier. Following the announcement of its largest-ever season of Pier-produced programming, Navy Pier is welcoming guests to a summer packed with live entertainment, cultural celebrations, family-friendly fun, and can’t-miss lakefront experiences.

From beloved annual traditions like Summer Block Parties, Movies at the Pier, and Summer Sundays to nights out for live music, which include Live on the Lake, Wave Wall Wax, Skyline Sessions at the Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage, there is something for everyone at Navy Pier. The opportunities for fun don’t end there, as Navy Pier is home to dozens of local businesses, favorite restaurants, and unique experiential destinations, all helping create summertime memories.

Below, please find additional Navy Pier summer programming highlights:

Special Events and Celebrations

• 40th Anniversary of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (June 11) – To mark the 40th anniversary of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Harry Caray’s Tavern is hosting a baseball watch party inspired by the film’s iconic pizza parlor scene. Guests can enjoy pizza, baseball, and a tribute to Harry Caray’s unforgettable cameo in the beloved Chicago classic.
• Overnight Walk (June 13 – June 14) – Every year, thousands come together to show the world there is hope for those affected by suicide. Open to all, the event brings together a welcoming community united by empathy, compassion, and a shared commitment to supporting mental health and inspiring hope.
• Father’s Day Cruises (June 21) – A collection of Father’s Day experiences from City Cruises gives families the perfect way to celebrate the dads and father figures in their lives with unforgettable experiences on the water.
• Pier Pride (June 27) – Celebrate Pride at Navy Pier with a day of entertainment, performances, music, dancing and lakefront fun in the heart of Chicago.
• Independence Day (July 4) – From the largest public fireworks show ever at the Pier to holiday cruises, enjoy a variety of offerings to celebrate America 250.
  • Independence Fireworks – At 10 p.m., join Navy Pier for their largest firework show to date, hot off the heels of their fourth consecutive win from USA Today for best place to watch fireworks.
  • City Cruises Independence Day – Invites Chicagoans to celebrate Independence Day all weekend long with festive brunch and dinner cruises offering front row seats to the city’s summer spectacle. For the evening cruises, attendees can get a front-row seat to Navy Pier’s firework show.
  • Margaritaville and Sun Cruiser 4th of July BBQ Event – Tickets include cocktails, appetizers, BBQ dinner buffet, patio viewing for fireworks, merchandise giveaways, and more.

• Bastille Day (July 12) – Honor Bastille Day at Navy Pier with festive French-inspired fun along Chicago’s iconic lakefront. Enjoy live entertainment, cultural performances, themed activities, and festive experiences for all ages.
• Got Sole (July 25) – One of the premier festivals for those interested in buying, selling, and trading sneakers, trading cards, collectibles, streetwear, vintage, and luxury items, and more is coming to Chicago. This event will include special guests, giveaways, and surprises across the 400 vendors.

Fun for the Whole Family

• Discount weekend at the Children’s Museum (June 5 – 7) – Enjoy discounted tickets the first full weekend in June, perfect for a family outing and a full day at Navy Pier.
• International Day of Play (June 11) – In recognition of the global call to action recognizing play as a vital part in every child’s growth, the Children’s Museum will be celebrating this creative day with programs including an interactive challenge with guests acting as a city planner,  constructing a community inspired by their own ideas.
• Chicago Air and Water Show (August 15 – 16) – City Cruises Chicago is offering guests an unforgettable way to experience the 2026 Chicago Air and Water Show from the waters of Lake Michigan. From relaxed daytime cruises to high-energy sightseeing experiences aboard the Seadog, City Cruises provides a unique alternative to crowded shorelines while placing guests directly beneath the action.

Perfect for a Day Out with Friends

• Rooftop Paint and Sip (June 11) – A summer Paint and Sip event hosted at Offshore Rooftop. Attendees can settle in with a brush in one hand and a complimentary glass of wine or beer in the other as a local instructor guides guests through a relaxed, step-by-step painting session.
• Coffee Fest (June 12 – June 13) – Bringing together great ideas, great conversations, and great coffee in one place. Featuring expert-led education, exciting special events, hands-on product discovery, and valuable networking opportunities, the experience is designed to energize, inspire, and foster meaningful industry connections.
• ISOxo – HARDCOREDIVA TOUR (August 21) – From the Aon Ballroom, enjoy the Hardcore Diva tour from ISOxo, a San Diego-based DJ and producer. Their music blends bass music genres like dubstep, trap, and electro-house.
• Sunset Jazz with Elan Trotman (August 23) – Set sail for an unforgettable night of high-energy jazz, soulful rhythms, and skyline views as Elan Trotman and Aric B take over Lake Michigan with City Cruises Live. Elan’s masterful horn textures and groove-driven sound blend seamlessly with Aric B’s smooth R&B stylings, creating a performance full of surprises and dynamic energy.

Summer-Long Series

• Trivia on the Lake (May 21 through September 3) – Returning for another summer-long competition tasking guests to put their smarts to the test, Pub Trivia will host free ‘Trivia on the Lake’ every Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Navy Pier Beer Garden.
• Seasonal Menus from Lirica and Offshore Rooftop (May 21 through September 4) – Seasonal summer flavors take center stage at both Lirica and Offshore Rooftop. From new brunch offerings at Offshore Rooftop to a seasonal all-day menu at Lirica, cocktails and cuisines to celebrate Chicago and its neighborhoods can be enjoyed by all attendees.
• Castle (May 23, 2026, through January 10, 2027) – This new exhibit at the Children’s Museum will let imagination reign as visitors explore a castle complete with secret tunnels, a rope bridge, tower, dungeon, throne room, wizard’s room, kitchen, feasting table, market, and more.
• Summer Music Series (May 28 through September 4) – Soak up the sounds of summer at Harry Caray’s Navy Pier, your go-to destination for live music, refreshing drinks, and unbeatable views. Join us three nights a week for a rotating lineup of local talent, DJ sets, and beer specials—just steps away from Lake Michigan. Guests can enjoy live music and DJ sets from local talent every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout the summer.
• ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (May 28 through June 28) –Gather around the campfire for the highly anticipated North American premiere of Brokeback Mountain at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Hailed in the “Top Shows to See in the U.S. This Spring” by The New York Times, this sweeping love story for the ages by Ashley Robinson brings Annie Proulx’s captivating novella that inspired the Academy Award-winning film to the stage.
• Family Fun Sundays (Beginning June 7) – Beginning June 7, families can enjoy Family Fun Sundays at Offshore Rooftop, where children receive one free meal from the children’s menu with the purchase of an adult meal.
• Local’s Happy Hour (June 26, July 31, August 28) – On the last Friday of every month, enjoy a local’s happy hour at Reunion by Chef Art Smith. Downtown residents can enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and entertainment while gathering with neighbors and friends at Reunion by Chef Art Smith.

Guests can plan their complete Navy Pier experience at www.navypier.org