Festival

August 23 and 24, 2025

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 a huge range of classical music from all eras on the main stage.

We also have delicious beer and wine, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities and food trucks on both days.

In the event of rain we will move the music into the All Saints Church on the same block with seating for 200 people. 

  Hours

Saturday, August 23 2:00 – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 24 1:00 – 9:00 PM

  Location

1758 W. Wilson Ave.

Parking is limited to street parking

 Event schedule

August 23rd

main stage

2pm  Chicago Chamber Music Festival

3pm  Confluence Quartet

4pm  Bach + Beethoven Experience

5pm  Rabia Brooke – violin

6pm  Alex Reyes – piano

7pm  Michael Hall and Marianne Parker

8pm  Palomar

9pm  Mini Sound of Silent Film Festival

Kid Zone

2pm  TBD

3pm  TBD

4pm  TBD

5pm  TBD

August 24th

Main Stage

1pm  Seth Boustead, David Keller & Traci Huff

2pm Sun Chang

3pm Amy Gadd and Friends

4pm Missing Piece

5pm Michael Miles – American Bach

6pm  Joel Styzens and Sophie Webber

7pm  

8pm  Lakeshore Rush

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

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2024 2023

    Chicago's only classical music street festival features two days of stellar performances, craft beer, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and community vendors

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    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2023 2023

    Chicago's only classical music street festival features two days of stellar performances, craft beer, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and community vendors

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2022 2022

    Chicago's only classical music street festival features two days of stellar performances, craft beer, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and community vendors

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2021

    ACM’s popular Sound of Silent Film Festival is a unique event featuring new short silent films in every conceivable genre screened with newly-composed musical scores performed live.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival & Walking Tour 2020

    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.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2019

    ACM’s popular Sound of Silent Film Festival is a unique event featuring new short silent films in every conceivable genre screened with newly-composed musical scores performed live.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    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.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2017

    ACM is proud to present the second 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 including Empanadas 5411, Pierogi Wagon and Bruges Brothers.

    View Event