Enjoy the beautiful melodies, cultural traditions and welcoming community of Chicago’s only classical music festival, the Thirsty Ears Festival on August 23-24, 2025. The 10th annual event supplies two days of classical music, food vendors, craft beer and kids’ activities in the Ravenswood neighborhood.
Photo courtesy of Thirsty Ears
Enjoy an exciting line-up of ensembles and soloists performing a range of historic and contemporary composers, including Beethoven, Bach and Reena Esmail. The main stage musicians include the Chicago Sinfonietta Brass Quartet, dulcimer player Joel Styzens and pianist Alex Reyes.
Photo courtesy of Thirsty Ears
In addition to the musical performances, the fest features the Mini Sound of Silent Film, highlighting contemporary scores for silent films on Saturday at 9:30 pm. The Kids Zone Area supplies an instrument petting zoo, sing-alongs and performances for kids, including Dawn Marie’s Toddler Jam and Singalong Sprouts.
The Thirsty Ears Fest runs from 2-11 pm on Saturday, August 23 and 1-9 pm on Sunday, August 24 at 1758 W. Wilson. Admission is free with a $10 suggested donation to benefit the ACM School of Music non-profit. Check out the performance line-up below:
August 23rd
main stage
2 pm Classical Music Chicago
2:55 pm Confluence Quartet
3:45 pm Bach + Beethoven Experience
4:45 pm Nova Linnea Musica Young Artist: Rabia Brooke
5:35 pm Chicago Sinfonietta
6:25 pm Alex Reyes – piano
7:15 pm Michael Hall and Marianne Parker
8:10 pm Black Oak Ensemble
9 pm Kyle Gregory Price
9:30 pm Mini Sound of Silent Film Festival
August 24th
Main Stage
1 pm Seth Boustead/David Keller/Traci Huff
1:50 pm Trio Tallieferre
2:45 pm Amy Gadd and Friends
3:40 pm Hot Second
4:35 pm Missing Piece
5:30 pm Michael J. Miles & Jill Kaeding – American Bach
6:25 pm Joel Styzens and Herine Koschak
7:20 pm Wild Indigo Trio
8:05 pm Lakeshore Rush
Thirsty Ears Festival
1758 W. Wilson
August 23-24, 2025, 2-11 pm, 1- 9 pm
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