Festival
August 12 and 13, 2023
Thirsty ears Festival
ACM’s Thirsty Ears Festival is Chicago’s only classical music street festival!
For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood are closed to feature stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.
We also have delicious beer and wine, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities and food trucks on both days.
This year’s lineup will be announced in March.
Hours
Saturday, August 12 2:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday, August 13 1:00 – 9:00 PM
Location
1758 W. Wilson Ave.
Parking is limited to street parking

Event schedule
August 13th
main stage
2pm TBD
3pm TBD
4pm TBD
5pm TBD
6pm TBD
7pm TBD
8pm Palomar
9pm Mini Sound of Silent Film Festival
Kid Zone
2pm TBD
3pm TBD
4pm TBD
5pm TBD
6pm TBD
7pm TBD
8pm Palomar
9pm Mini Sound of Silent Film Festival
August 14th
Main Stage
2pm TBD
3pm TBD
4pm TBD
5pm TBD
6pm TBD
7pm TBD
8pm TBD
9pm TBD
Kid Zone
2pm TBD
3pm TBD
4pm TBD
5pm TBD
sponsors
Meet Our sponsors
The Thirsty Ears festival is made possible in part by generous support from these sponsors:
Thirsty Ears Festival 2022 2022
Thirsty Ears Festival 2021
Thirsty Ears Festival & Walking Tour 2020
For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.
We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.
$10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.
Thirsty Ears Festival 2019
Thirsty Ears Festival 2018
For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.
We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.
$10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.
Thirsty Ears Festival 2017
For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.
We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days including Empanadas 5411, Pierogi Wagon and Bruges Brothers.

2022
Thirsty Ears Festival 2022
ACM is proud to present the seventh annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival! For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature seventeen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

Thirsty Ears Festival 2021
ACM is proud to present the sixth annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!
For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature seventeen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.
We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days. Highlights include a special performance of our Sound of Silent Film Festival Saturday at sundown and, to close out the fest on Sunday, a classical remix from Origin of Animal.

Thirsty Ears Festival & Walking Tour 2020
Thirsty Ears, Chicago’s only classical music street festival is back with an all-new lineup and a new format!
We’re thrilled to present an exciting combination of a musical audio walking tour and an in-person outdoor concert. Discover Ravenswood and Lincoln Square as you’ve never seen or heard them before!
Your ticket includes entry to all live performances at VIN312 except for Sound of Silent Film which is available at the Marquee level. Click the check boxes to tell us which shows you’re going to so we can ensure social distancing.
Ticket holders are also invited to explore ten sites in Ravenswood and Lincoln Square chosen for their historical and cultural significance. At each site, you’ll hear about its history and then hear a short piece composed especially for the site.
Each time you complete a site you unlock rewards from neighborhood businesses.

Thirsty Ears Festival 2019

Thirsty Ears Festival 2018
ACM is proud to present the third annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!
For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.
We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.
$10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.

2017
Thirsty Ears Festival 2017
ACM is proud to present the third annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!
For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.
We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.
$10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.