Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly, local arts organizations, performers and community members today announced the fourth summer of Night Out in the Parks at La Follette Park.

The 2016 series will include more than 1,200 cultural events and activities at parks across the 77 community areas and in all 50 wards in the city featuring 115 neighborhood arts organizations and artists; nearly all events are offered with free admission.

“Night Out in the Parks provides a platform for local artists to share talent in their own communities and across the city,“ said Mayor Emanuel. “From Shakespeare in the Park to a movie or symphony in the park, we are bringing world-class art and culture to every neighborhood.”

Night Out in the Parks became yearlong in 2015 and extended its cultural programming far beyond the summer season giving families, friends and couples ample options and time to enjoy performances such as Midnight Circus in the Parks, About Face Theatre’s presentation of It’s For Real and a serenade series with Opera-matic.

The free MyChiParks mobile application returns to its festive green color for the summer season and is available to download on Apple and Android devices. Browse through the 1,200 events by date, location and interest to discover what exciting activities are happening nearby!

“The Chicago Park District is pleased to feature even more wonderful, free events for patrons of all ages to enjoy quality performances in the parks all year round,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly.

Launched in 2013, Night Out in the Parks is part of Mayor Emanuel’s citywide vision for art and culture. It is also a key component of the Chicago Cultural Plan. Through this plan, the City and Chicago Park District are making investments in public art, music festivals, films, concerts, exhibitions and performances.

This year, with the assistance of valued sponsors Bank of America, One Medical Group, Mini Babybel®, Coca-Cola and ComEd, offerings include events and performances by new and returning partners. Highlights include:

Movies in the Parks

June 13 – September 5

The Chicago Park District will bring big-screen entertainment to local parks for the 16th year of Movies in the Parks. The jam-packed 2016 summer lineup will feature over 130 different titles in more than 200 screenings. The roster will include something-for-everyone array of contemporary, cult classic and classic films like Back to the Future, The Color Purple, Jurassic World, Star Wars and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Throughout the summer, superheroes Ant-Man, Captain America, and The Avengers will fight evil and save the world as the Gladers navigate the unforgiving Scorch (Maze Runner), Tris and Four race against time (Insurgent), and Katniss and Peeta unite the Districts (The Hunger Games). We can’t forget the movies for the kid in all of us like Inside Out, Minions, The Peanuts Movie and Zootopia.

Movies in the Parks is presented by Bank of America and supported by One Medical Group and Mini Babybel®. All movies begin at dusk, weather permitting. Call 312.742.1134 for daily listings and weather-related cancellations.

Great Migration Centennial Celebration

May 27- October 6

This year marks the Great Migration Centennial, a long-term movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North that transformed Chicago between 1916 and 1970. To commemorate the period, the Chicago Park District will feature a variety of artists exploring this journey from the Rural South to the Urban North, including Lucy Smith’s Chicago Bound: The Great Migration of the Blues, spoken word combined with gospel, rhythm, blues and jazz from Classic Black’s One Way Ticket, performances and workshops on improvisation by Live the Spirit Residency’s young jazz musicians, MPAACT Theatre’s presentation of BLAQ Market Monologues, and a series of enthralling jazz & blues concerts.

Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival

June 15 – August 14

Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm.

Theater on the Lake continues to take shows on the road, anchored primarily at Berger Park Cultural Center (6205 N. Sheridan Rd.), while the historic lakefront facility prepares for renovation. The Chicago summer theater festival is celebrating 64 years of showcasing the city’s rich off-Loop theater community. This year, five plays presented by artistically diverse Chicago theater companies will run at three park locations across the city for eight weeks. The free traveling show performances of The Hypocrites’ Midsummer Dream will be held at Washington Park (5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) and Smith Park (2526 W. Grand Ave.) from July 20-30. For ticket and schedule information visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/theater-on-the-lake, or call 312-742-7994.

Chicago Philharmonic

June 18, Ping Tom Memorial Park (1700 S. Wentworth Ave.)

July 30, Columbus Park Refectory (5701 W. Jackson Blvd.)

August 20, Humboldt Park (1440 N. Sacramento)

Join musicians from the famed Chicago Philharmonic for a unique outdoor concert experience -- as an audience member or performer! Music lovers of all ages are invited to bring their instruments and play alongside professionals, creating an orchestra for a fun symphonic concert. Or just come and enjoy great music in Chicago's backyard.

Toddler Tunes and Turtles

June 8 – September 8

This free outdoor nature program provides families the opportunity to meet live animals, sing along to family-friendly music and encourage the little ones to experience and play with nature.
Jazz Festivals

June 10- August 19

The 10th Annual Latin Jazz Festival brings Latin Jazz greats from around the country and right here at home to the beautiful Humboldt Park Boathouse (1440 N. Sacramento). The cool sounds of the Jazz Cabaret: Paul Marinaro Trio will provide a counterpoint to the lush greenery and warm night at Columbus Park's Refectory (5701 W. Jackson Ave.) and enjoy a series of jazz concerts under the stars at Seward Park (375 W. Elm St.).

CumbiaSazo Kids!

July 2 & August 28

Experience the transformative power of dancing, diversity, and self-expression when Ping Tom Park (1700 S. Wentworth) and La Villita Park (2800 S. Sacramento Ave.) host CumbiaSazo Kids!, an event series dedicated to creating safe spaces for partying, culture clash, artist development, and doing what you love.

Dance in the Parks

July 15-August 7

Dance in the Parks brings free, professional, outdoor dance concerts to Chicago’s parks! The all-ages performances feature works created and performed by professional Chicago dance artists in a wide range of themes and styles, including modern, jazz, contemporary, and tap works. In its 8th season, the showcase gives local youth companies an opportunity to perform across the city. Bring your picnic dinner and enjoy the show!

Collaboraction: PEACEBOOK

August 12 – August 27

Hamilton Park (513 W. 72nd St.), La Follette Park (1333 N. Laramie Ave.), Clarendon Park Community Center (4501 N. Clarendon Ave.)

Collaboraction returns to Night Out in the Parks for a fourth summer with the latest installment of their PEACEBOOK 2016 tour, a new collaborative citywide festival of theatre, dance, music, visual art and spoken word focused on cultivating peace in Chicago.

Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase

August 30-September 4

A celebration of local films and filmmakers returns in 2016 for a third installment of the Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase to introduce Chicagoans to some of the incredible filmmakers who are working, producing and creating local films in and about Chicago. The Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase is part of the popular Movies in the Parks program and will host screenings of 13 locally-sourced shorts and features that showcase Chicago on an intimate, personal level with stories of extraordinary moments in the lives of ordinary Chicagoans.

Midnight Circus in the Parks

September 3 – October 16

Midnight Circus will present the 10th year of a true "Big Top" tent extravaganza in eight parks citywide, celebrating community and rebuilding parks one circus at a time. Tickets available for purchase at the tent or in advance by visiting http://midnightcircus.net/events/upcoming/.

Click here for the Night Out in the Parks 2016 schedule. For more information on any Night Out in the Parks events, visit www.nightoutintheparks.com or call 312.742.PLAY.

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The Chicago Park District is the 2014 Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,300 acres of parkland, more than 585 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312.742.PLAY or 312.747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.