Chicago Gospel Music Festival Returns to Millennium Park in July 2026

The Chicago Gospel Music Festival is coming back to Millennium Park on July 24 and 25, 2026. The event is free and open to the public, organized by the City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

This year's headliners are Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Ricky Dillard and New G, and Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir. The festival also includes community showcases featuring local artists and live radio broadcasts in partnership with Inspiration 1390 AM.

Chicago has a strong claim to being the birthplace of gospel music. Thomas A. Dorsey, who wrote "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," developed the genre in Chicago churches in the 1930s. The festival has honored that legacy for decades, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to Grant Park and Millennium Park each summer.

Tasha Cobbs Leonard is one of the most recognized names in contemporary gospel. Her 2013 album "Grace" won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Album. She has continued to release music that crosses over between gospel and mainstream Christian audiences.

Hezekiah Walker has led the Love Fellowship Choir for more than 30 years. The Brooklyn-based choir is known for its energetic live performances and has recorded more than 20 albums. Walker is also a pastor at Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Brooklyn.

Ricky Dillard and New G are known for their traditional gospel sound with a contemporary edge. Dillard has been a fixture in gospel music for more than two decades and has won multiple Stellar Awards.

Admission to the festival is free. Millennium Park is located at 201 E. Randolph Street in downtown Chicago. Gates open at noon both days.