Chicago’s wildest concert series returns this weekend as Brookfield Zoo Chicago sets the stage for its annual Roaring Nights summer concert series.
“There are few places where you can feed a giraffe in the afternoon and sing along with a chart-topping artist under the stars that same evening,” said Andrea Rodgers, Senior Vice President of Guest Experience and Operations at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. “Roaring Nights has an unmistakable energy as the sun sets—part concert, part conservation celebration—where thousands of fans come together to sing, connect, and support wildlife. This year, the series continues to grow, with an expanded lineup of artists and greater overall ticket value for guests.”
Up first at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 7, will be Melissa Etheridge who rose to fame in the late 1980s and ’90s with Grammy-winning rock hits like “Bring Me Some Water,” “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window.” She later earned an Academy Award for “I Need to Wake Up” from the documentary An Inconvenient Truth and became known for her raw lyrics, raspy vocals and personal resilience after coming out publicly and surviving breast cancer.
Her set at Brookfield Zoo Chicago will feature select tracks from RISE!, her first studio album in five years that was released in March.
July will feature back-to-back concerts by Blues Traveler on July 24 and Nelly on July 25.
Harmonica riffs will take center stage at 7:30 p.m. July 24 as Blues Traveler kicks off Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s second concert weekend. Known for their jam-band roots and dynamic live shows, the platinum-selling group has kept crowds singing with songs like “Run-Around” and “Hook.”
Nelly will heat up the stage and close out the series at 7:30 p.m. July 25 with era-defining hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Ride with Me” and “Dilemma.” The Grammy Award-winning superstar brings chart-topping swagger and crowd-hyping energy that helped shape 2000s hip-hop and continues to ignite audiences today.
Guests can make a full day of adventure before the stage lights up, as every Roaring Nights ticket this year also includes full-day admission to the Zoo on the day of the concert, free Main Entrance parking, and unlimited Ferris Wheel and Carousel rides.
Tickets start at $60 and each ticket sold directly contributes to the Zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Fund, supporting animal care and conservation efforts both locally and globally.
For more information, visit brookfieldzoo.org/events/roaring-nights-concerts.