Examining Chicago’s summer entertainment and tourist offerings

Few things are as exciting to Chicagoans as the phrase “Chicago in the summer.” With a new generation of sports stars, from Angel Reese to Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, now calling Chicago home—combined with the upcoming Democratic National Convention in August—the upcoming summer season is carrying a special buzz for the Windy City. The Harris Poll recently surveyed Cook County adults on their view of the city’s entertainment options, and below are some of the key findings:

Many Cook County residents think Chicago has something for everyone.

Nearly half (45%) of Cook County residents agree that Chicago’s nightlife and leisure scene has entertainment options for everyone (e.g., families, young people). Only 15% say that there are not enough local entertainment options for them (e.g., of interest, that their lifestyle or needs).

Half (47%) of Cook County residents say that they take advantage of entertainment options in the City of Chicago. Two in five (43%) plan to travel within the greater Chicagoland area (i.e., to another city or suburb) during the upcoming spring and summer months.

That said, parents may struggle to identify enough family entertainment options: Cook County residents with a child younger than 18 under-index on agreeing that Chicago’s nightlife and leisure scene has entertainment options for everyone (38% vs. 47% of those without a child under 18). Cook County residents with a household income less than $50K also under-index on this (35% vs. 47% of those with a $50K-$99K HHI and 51% of those with $100K+ HHI).

Free, budget conscious, and educational entertainment options are popular with groups who feel left out of Chicago’s summer entertainment season.

Cook County parents with a child under 18 most frequently cite free outdoor public space (56%) as an entertainment option they plan to use during this year’s spring and summer months. They over-index on planning to use museums or related institutions (54% vs. 42% of those without children under 18) and downtown Chicago attractions such as Navy Pier or architectural tours (51% vs. 42% of those without children under 18) during the upcoming summer months.

Cook County residents with a household income less than $50K most frequently cite planning to use free outdoor public space (52%) and free live performances (43%) as possible entertainment options during this year’s spring and summer months.

Strong majorities of residents think Chicago being home to premier summer festivals and events such as Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and NASCAR’s Street Race positively impacts its local economy, tourism, and the city’s overall reputation.

Three in four (75%) city residents think major summer festivals and events positively impact Chicago’s economy, with four in five (80%) thinking the same for their impact on local tourism. Seven in 10 (69%) think major festivals and events burnish Chicago’s reputation.

This survey was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll from April 05, 2024 to April 13, 2024 among 1,000 Cook County residents ages 18+. Figures were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions within the Cook County population. Respondents for this survey were selected from a pool of potential respondents who have agreed to participate in The Harris Poll’s online research.