DCASE announces 2014 Chicago festival dates

Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has announced its 2014 schedule of “marquee festivals” today.

Time fill in the blanks on your calendars for the coming year!

Here are highlights. The complete calendar can be found at cityofchicago.org/dcase (dates can be subject to change).

Jan 3-5: Chicago WinterDance (dance lessons and live music) at the Chicago Cultural Center

Jan. 11-Feb. 2: OnEdge (new performance series) at the Chicago Cultural Center, Storefront Theater

Shemekia Copeland wowed the crowd at this year’s Chicago’s Blues Festival. The music fest will return June 13-15, 2014. | Chandler West~For Sun-Times Media

May 3: Chicago Kids and Kites Festival, Montrose Harbor

May 24: Chicago Memorial Day Parade, State Street (from Lake to Van Buren)

June 13-15: 31st Annual Chicago Blues Festival, Grant Park

June 13-20: Chicago Bike Week (citywide) with Bike to Work Rally, June 20 in Daley Plaza

June 24-Aug. 26: Millennium Park Film Series, Pritzker Pavilion

June 26-29: Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Center and Ellis Park

July 9-13: Taste of Chicago, Grant Park

Taste of Chicago will take place July 9-13, 2014 in Grant Park. | Alex Wroblewski ~ Sun-Times

Aug. 16-17: Chicago Chicago Air and Water Show, lakefront at North Avenue Beach

Aug. 28-13: Chicago Jazz Festival, Millennium Park

Sept. 11-21: World Music Festival Chicago, Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Center and citywide

Oct. 3-4: Great Chicago Fire Festival presented by Redmoon, Chicago River and citywide

Nov. 25: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Daley Plaza