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Best Fall 2015 Outdoor Concerts In Chicago

Chicagoans know all too well that the end of summer will lead to a seemingly very short autumn, and then there's the inevitable winter. Winter is a rough time in the Windy City, with tons of snow with subarctic temps where folks do little more outside than what they need to. For that reason alone, it's important to get out there and enjoy the last hurrah of mild weather before it's all gone. So even though the summer concert season is winding down, there are still some great opportunities to get out there and listen to some live music outdoors this autumn. Here are some of the best fall outdoor concerts happening in Chicago this year.
The Promontory
(Photo Credit: Hyde Park Jazz Festival's Facebook)

Hyde Park Jazz Festival
University of Chicago
1511 East 53rd St.
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 324-6926
www.hydeparkjazzfestival.org

Date: Sept. 26 & 27, 2015 at 1 p.m.Co-produced by the Hyde Park Jazz Society, the ninth annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival is taking place on Sept. 26 and 27 this year. The free two-day jazz music festival features some of the foremost local, national, and international jazz artists. This year's event will present performances by The Eternals, Laurence Hobgood, Justefan Group, Russ Johnson's "Headland," Ari Brown Quintet, Maggie Brown Group, Isaiah Collier & Thaddeus Tukes, Juan Daniel Pastor "Chinchano," Angel d'Cuba, Mikel Patrick Avery "Parade," Darius Hampton Group, Mike Allemana & Matt Ferguson, Tatsu Aoki Miyumi Project, Bossa Tres Group, Alexis Lombré Quintet, Bethany Pickens Trio, John Wojciechowski Quartet, Henry Threadgill & David Virelles and more. The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will also offer an outdoor dance floor, food and beverage vendors, artisan vendors and family-friendly programming as well.

The Oktoberfest Beer, Brats And Boats Cruise
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-9328
tickets.shorelinesightseeing.com

Date: Sept. 25th at 7 p.m.Beer, brats and boating — it doesn't get much better than that, especially for Oktoberfest! Hosted by the Shoreline Sightseeing Company, The Oktoberfest Beer, Brats and Boats Cruise offers up a spectacular traditional German style dinner prepared and served by Chicago's own Paulina Market. There will also be beer pairings for the meal as well, and of course, live entertainment. The cruise will also feature live music and dancing, all while on the waters of Lake Michigan, what better way to celebrate the beginning of fall than with everything that this night has to offer?

band
(Photo Credit: oktoberfestchicago.org)

Oktoberfest Chicago
St. Alphonsus
1429 W Wellington Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-0709
oktoberfestchicago.org

Date: Sept. 25 - 27 at 5 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. on Saturday and SundayThis autumn, there are going to be a lot of Oktoberfest celebrations in Chicago, but one of the city's favorites is the Oktoberfest at St. Alphonsus. From Sept. 26 through 28, come out to St. Alphonsus Church and fill the belly with bratwursts, drink some cold beer, sporting events on a big screen TV, and of course indulge in live German and popular music. Some of the bands and performers appearing at this year's festival are Ed Wagner's Lustige Blaskapelle, Wedding Banned, Euro Express, South of 80, Jimmy's Bavarians, The Polkaholics, 16 Candles and more. On the fest's final day, Sunday, Sept. 28, admission is free for Family Day.

Related: Best Upcoming Outdoor Concerts Near Chicago

Edgewater Fall Art Fair
Edgewater Neighborhood
N. Broadway St. and W. Granville Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 878-9004
edgewaterartists.com

Date: Sept. 26 & 27 at 11 a.m.For a true celebration of the arts in Chicago there's the third annual Edgewater Fall Art Fair. Boasting both a multicultural and multi-generational lineup, come view and enjoy over 100 artists, musicians and performers from the Chicago area. Spanning two city blocks in the trendy Edgewater neighborhood, there will be something for everyone with not one but two stages for live music featuring jazz, country, rock, Latin dance and classical performances. The fair also features a beer garden, food options, a children's corner and a children's music talent show as well.

Grand Art & Design Festival
West Town Neighborhood
Grand Ave. between Wood St. and Western Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60622
(312) 850-9390
www.grandartdesign.com

Date: Sept. 26 & 27 at 11 a.m.One of the best parts of living in an eclectic city like Chicago is all the diverse festivals and fairs that represent it. Taking place in West Town and formerly known as the Design Harvest, the Grand Art & Design Festival is a celebration of home and garden, art, food and drink, community and so much more. And what's a celebration without music? Well, they've got some of that as well.  Come jam out to the sounds of bands like the Henhouse Prowlers, Golden Horse Ranch Band, Lonesome Still, Glass Mountain, The Mountainaires, Caleb Klauder, The Lawrence Peters Outfit, Shake 'Em On Down, Wandering Boys, Big Sadie and more. There will even be hayrides and other family fun for a great experience for all.

Related: Ask A Chicago Bartender: Your Best Tropical Drink Recipe

Soon after earning her BA in journalism, Melanie Falina began writing about one of the loves of her life - music. Since then, she's covered some of the biggest names in music, in addition to writing on an array of other topics as well. She has written for Black Belt magazine, KISS: The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine, Examiner, AXS.com, Yahoo Voices, and more, and was editor for Don Lemmon's KNOW HOW Book Three, Refuse To Fail. Melanie is also a poet with five published collections of poetry available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and various establishments.
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