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Chicago’s wildest concert series is returning this summer—with a roar, naturally. Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s annual Roaring Nights brings two jam-packed weekends of music to the animal kingdom, pairing a pleasantly nostalgic lineup—Melissa Etheridge, Blues Traveler and Nelly—with the possibility of locking eyes with a lion on your way to grab a beer.
“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,” Andrea Rodgers, senior vice president of guest experience and operations at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, says. “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.”
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Roaring Nights is an all-day affair, not just a show you wander into at sunset. Each ticket doubles as full-day admission to the zoo, so you can spend the afternoon visiting the animals before staking out your spot near the stage. There’s also free main entrance parking and unlimited rides on the ferris wheel and carousel.
The real draw, however, begins when the music starts. This year’s Roaring Nights lineup leans comfortably nostalgic—the kind that makes you realize you still know every word. Melissa Etheridge kicks things off on June 7 with the sort of sing-alongs that feel practically required for a summer concert. Blues Traveler follows on July 24, bringing harmonica riffs into the mix, and Nelly closes out the series with what we can only hope is a full-on Country Grammar reprise.
Tickets to Roaring Nights go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 27, at 10am. Tickets start at $60; each one sold directly contributes to the Zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Fund, supporting local and global animal conservation efforts. Learn more about Roaring Nights here.