CHICAGO — The worst of winter hasn't hit yet, but it's never too early to start looking forward to next summer's festivals.
On Thursday, the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced its schedule of festivals and events for 2014, which includes upcoming programs in the early part of 2014, as well as mainstays of the warmer months, including Downtown Sound, Taste of Chicago and the Air & Water Show.
Juicebox: The family-friendly event, featuring music, theater and dance, will be year-round at the Chicago Cultural Center and citywide.
Wired Fridays: Electronic dance music and local DJs at the Chicago Cultural Center during the winter, spring and fall.
Chicago WinterDance: Dance lessons and live music at the Chicago Cultural Center January 3-5.
OnEdge: The new performance series will be at the Chicago Cultural Center and Storefront Theater from January 11- February 1.
City of Chicago's 177th Birthday: March 4.
Chicago Neighborhood Festivals: The festivals will be at various locations from May - September.
Chicago Farmers Market: The markets will be open at Daley Plaza and citywide from May - October.
16th Annual Chicago Kids and Kites Festival: The event will be at Montrose Harbor May 3.
Chicago Memorial Day Parade: The parade will run to State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren on May 24.
Loops and Variations: The concert will feature contemporary classical music and electronica at Millennium Park on Thursdays from May 29-July 3.
Downtown Sound: The indie rock and pop concert at Millennium Park will be on Mondays from June 2- August 4 (excluding July 28).
Millennium Park Workouts: Workouts will include yoga, pilates, tai chi and zumba on the Great Lawn from June 7-Aug. 30.
31st Annual Chicago Blues Festival: The festival will be at Grant Park from June 13-15.
Chicago Bike Week: The citywide event will be from June 13-20.
Bike to Work Rally: The rally will take place at Daley Plaza on June 20.
Millennium Park Film Series: The film series will take place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion from June 24-Aug. 26.
29th Chicago Gospel Music Festival: Festivals will be held at Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Center and Ellis Park from June 26-29.
18th Annual Chicago SummerDance: Dance lessons and live music at Grant Park will be from June 27-Sept. 14.
34th Annual Taste of Chicago: The Taste will be at Grant Park from July 9-13.
Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz: The festival will be at Millennium Park from July 24-Aug. 28.
56th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show: The show will be at North Avenue Beach from Aug. 16-17.
36th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival: The festival will be at Millennium Park from Aug. 28-31.
16th Annual World Music Festival Chicago: The music festival will take place at Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Center and citywide from Sept. 11-21.
19th Annual Chicago Artists Month: The month will be celebrated citywide during the month of October.
Great Chicago Fire Festival presented by Redmoon: The festival will be held at the Chicago River and citywide Oct. 3-4.
SpinOff 2014: The month-long contemporary dance series will be held at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Storefront theater during October.
Halloween Festival: The festival will be at the Chicago Cultural Center in late October.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink: The ice rink will be open at Millennium Park from Nov. 14-March 7, 2015.
Christmas Tree Lightning Ceremony: The ceremony will be held at Daley Plaza on Nov. 25.
Santa House: The house will be open at Daley Plaza from Nov. 25-Dec. 24.
Caroling at Cloud Gate: The caroling will take place at Millennium Park on Fridays from Nov. 28-Dec. 19.
