Out of the underground dance clubs on the South Side of Chicago, a group of friends turn a new sound into a global movement.
On Thursday, August 21, 2025, watch Move Ya Body: The Birth of House as part of the Chicago House Music Conference at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The film begins at 6 p.m. followed by Q&A.
The free Chicago House Music Festival and Conference takes place Thursday-Sunday, August 21-24, 2025.
The celebration kicks off Thursday, August 21, with the Chicago House Music Conference and Cultural Center Open House, an inspiring evening of community conversations, dance workshops and live DJ sets inside the Chicago Cultural Center. Panel discussions with music industry professionals will explore themes such as community and collaboration, creative processes, nightlife and culture, music marketing, and more.
On Friday, August 22, the festival heads outdoors to Grant Park’s Spirit of Music Garden for Chicago House at SummerDance. Daytime programming will include dance masterclasses led by professional instructors inside the Dance Studio at the Chicago Cultural Center. The evening will feature additional dance lessons and DJ sets by Vince Adams and DJ Lil John in Grant Park.
On Saturday, August 23, the heart of the festival returns to Millennium Park with a daylong celebration across four stages: the Legacy Stage at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Soulful House Stage, the Chicago House Stage, and the Groove Garden Stage. The event will also feature youth workshops and the Chicago House Dance Summit, offering a mix of family-friendly experiences and a showcase of the genre’s top talents. Mainstage acts providing the soundtrack of the day include Andre and Tony Hatchett of the Chosen Few DJs, DJ Pharris Thomas, Waxmaster, Tyree Cooper, Ralphi Rosario, and more.
On Sunday, August 24, Wind Down: House on the Riverwalk offers music lovers a laid-back afternoon of grooves along the Confluence of the Chicago River, featuring DJ Jerome Baker and Julio Bishop.
For the full event lineup and additional information, visit ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us.
