Neighborhood News: Free Movies in Millennium Park offers family-friendly fun in the heart of the city
Nearly every Tuesday in July and August, against a backdrop of Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park offers crowd-pleasing, free, family -friendly movies presented on a state-of- the-art, 40-foot LED screen.
The Millennium Park Summer Film Series takes place on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Admission is completely free, and you don’t even need a movie ticket or registration to attend…just show up! You can enter Millennium Park at Michigan Avenue and Washington Street, or Michigan Avenue at Madison Street, or at Randolph Street or Monroe Street.
Note: Animals are not permitted in Millennium Park, unless they are service animals.
Where Can I Sit?
You and your family may take a seat at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, where Frank Gehry’s one-of-a-kind bandshell soars 120 feet in the air, with a flowing crown of stainless steel ribbons and curving steel plates that make it a stunning place to see live entertainment.
Or…you and your family can lounge on the Great Lawn. When the gates open at 5pm, you can bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, though food is also available for purchase nearby.
Note: All seats within the Pavilion’s seating bowl and space on the Great Lawn are free and first come, first served.
Upcoming Free Movies Include:
July 14: When Harry Met Sally (1989, R) / This is Spinal Tap (1984, R) — Tribute to Rob Reiner Double Feature
July 28: Hamilton (2020, PG-13) — America 250 celebration
August 4: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, PG-13) — 25th anniversary
August 11: The Devil Wears Prada (2006, PG-13) — 20th anniversary
August 18: Sinners (2025, R) Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan stars in the acclaimed horror film, directed by Ryan Coogler.
Accessibility?
As Choose Chicago notes, every aspect of Millennium Park has been designed to be accessible and inclusive to all patrons. That includes:
• All films are open-captioned (including pre-show)
• Assistive listening devices and wheelchairs are available at all Millennium Park events from the Patron Service Tent
• Accessible seating (with companion seats) is available throughout the Jay Pritzker Pavilion seating bowl
What happens in severe weather?
Concerts and performances in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion are held rain or shine, unless there are severe weather warnings and/or the threat of lightning in the area.
The Pavilion seats are not protected from the elements. The Great Lawn has a high-tech design with underlying layers of sand and gravel that allows water to drain quickly.
What else can I do with the kids?
- Cool off at the Crown Fountain! Conceptual artist Jaume Plensa’s interactive video sculpture is composed of a black granite reflecting pool positioned between a pair of 50-foot glass brick towers. The towers include LED video screens that display larger-than-life faces of Chicago locals. In the summer, the towers cascade with water, making them the perfect place to splash around and cool off.
- Take them to the Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” Unveiled in 2005, this is famed artist Anish Kapoor’s first outdoor public sculpture in the United States, and one of the largest sculptures of its kind in the world. See yourself and the city skyline reflected on Cloud Gate’s shiny surfaces and snap the ultimate Chicago photo opp.
They’re Hungry! What Now?
If you don’t opt for a picnic, nestled under “The Bean” in Millennium Park you’ll find Millennium Hall 11 N. Michigan Avenue, an American Bistro serving Chicago- style specialties like Miniature Chicago Dogs and Creamy Burrata Board, alongside Neapolitan-style pizzas. The Millennium Burger is an 8-ounce Schweid & Sons angus beef patty, with smoked gouda, bourbon-glazed bacon, caramelized onions, and giardiniera aioli on a brioche bun, served with fries.
The Plaza Café is located right below The Bean, offering quick, casual bites during the summer months.
And Finally …What if I’m Not Coming Downtown?
The Chicago Park District’s “Movies in the Parks” program is celebrating its 22nd season of offering free outdoor film screenings in neighborhood parks citywide.
If you live in Chicago (and even if you don’t), you can see free movies in the park in each of the 77 communities that make up the great city of Chicago. For more information and a complete list of Movies in the Park…click here!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
