The application will remain open through December 8th for local artists interested in performing for audiences in parks across the city
CHICAGO, IL. – Are you a locally based artist that wants to take your show on the road all over Chicago? The Chicago Park District is looking to partner with performers, collectives, filmmakers, and organizations to participate in the 14th season of the Night Out in the Parks cultural event series and the 13th annual Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase. The application is now live at www.nightoutintheparks.com, with a deadline of December 8, 2025 for both organizations and individual artists looking to sign up. The 2026 Night Out in the Parks season will start in May 2026.
Night Out in the Parks invites local artists of all genres and types to perform in parks across the city. Through these artistic displays and performances, communities in all neighborhoods of Chicago will have the opportunity to experience unique programming at no cost whatsoever right in their own local parks. Whether the performances are musical, cultural, educational, all of these or something completely different, artists are encouraged to apply for the upcoming season.
“Night Out in the Parks and Chicago Onscreen reinforces that our parks are not just for athletics or leisure; they serve as hubs of community, culture, and creativity,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “For more than a decade, the Night Out in the Parks initiative has successfully granted artists and creators a unique opportunity to reach new audiences, while exposing our park patrons to creative performances and experiences at no cost to be enjoyed at their local park.”
The Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks partnership offers support in four key ways, including grant awards, a platform to perform in Chicago’s parks, promotion of the performances widely through various outreach channels, and production assistance, as available.
In its 14th season, the Chicago Park District is spotlighting Chicago’s multi-disciplinary performances and cultural events, and will seek out proposals that highlight Chicago’s robust cultural landscape, celebrate local artists in their neighborhood parks, and support Chicago-based artists with new audiences, resources, and opportunities to grow.
Applicants are highly encouraged to submit projects that include an accessibility plan. This plan should encompass mobile access, bi-lingual narratives, ASL interpretation, audio description, and additional means of inclusiveness to reach wider audiences.
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is a proud partner and a funder of this year-round, citywide initiative in conjunction with the Chicago Park District.
To be eligible to participate in the free, city-wide event series, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Chicago-based organization or artist (residency within the city of Chicago);
- Program/event must be offered to the community for free and be accessible and inclusive;
- Partners must commit to building a relationship with the park;
- Organizations must have $1 million general liability insurance naming the Chicago Park District an additional insured for all events;
- Have the ability to travel to and from a scheduled park with all equipment, performers and staff;
- Night Out in the Parks events where artists have physical interactions with the general public are subject to fingerprint clearance/background check;
- The primary applicant must be at least 21 years of age;
- Must be flexible in terms of scheduling. Night Out in the Parks events may happen seven days a week, mostly in the evening. Due to the outdoor venues, there may be a need to reschedule events;
- If selected, you must confirm a performance schedule by mid-March, 2026.
Non-profit status is not a requirement for interested participants. Eligible Chicago-based arts organizations and artists can apply at www.nightoutintheparks.com. All proposals are due by 11:59 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025.
Chicago Onscreen
The Chicago Park District’s Chicago Onscreen Local Film Festival returns for its 13th year, and is seeking proposals from interested filmmakers. Qualifying entries must be submitted by Monday, December 8, 2025 to www.chicagoonscreen.com/submissions. This is the only film fest focused on uplifting Chicago and Chicagoans.
Nearly 200 films have been screened to thousands of dazzled park patrons over the past 13 years. Through this showcase, filmmakers see their vision come to life on the screen as audiences around the city enjoy their Chicago-based productions. Filmmakers of all ages, skill level and professional experience are encouraged to submit work for consideration.
The chosen films will be screened in outdoor movie showcases in local parks in late summer 2026, and will receive an honorarium up to $500. Selected participants will be notified directly in April 2026.