Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-05-27
Photo: Courtesy of Summer’s Last Dance
Summer’s Last Dance, Chicago’s acclaimed independent and philanthropic music festival, has officially unveiled the Phase 1 lineup for its 2026 return. The one-day festival comes back September 19 in Bridgeview, IL, led by nationally Grammy-lauded live electronic duo Big Gigantic, viral saxophone sensation Saxsquatch, bass house heavyweight Henry Fong, funk-infused house duo The Sponges, and more.
Returning as a defining end-of-summer sendoff for the city, Summer’s Last Dance offers a more intimate, community-driven alternative to large-scale festivals, bringing together music, connection, and charitable purpose in one focused September celebration.
“Summer’s Last Dance is about connection as much as it is music. From the beginning, we wanted to create an experience that brings people together across different scenes and backgrounds while also supporting something bigger than ourselves,” said founder Bobby De Maria.
Founded by longtime Chicago promoter Bobby De Maria, the festival continues its partnership with the Miracle Michael Fund, established in honor of Michael John Shultz to support families affected by Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a rare connective tissue disorder commonly known as brittle bone disease. A portion of every ticket and sponsorship directly supports family assistance and ongoing research.
The philanthropic mission behind Summer’s Last Dance is deeply personal for De Maria. Over the years, his company Afterlife Entertainment has helped raise more than $100,000 for organizations including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Hope For The Day, and the Miracle Michael Fund. Those efforts are now led alongside his father, Jim De Maria, a longtime Chicago sports and nonprofit executive who spent decades with the White Sox, Blackhawks, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“I grew up watching my dad use sports and entertainment as a way to bring people together and support people who needed it most,” said De Maria. “That mindset became a huge part of what we built with Afterlife. The music matters, but so does what you do with the platform.”
Now in its third year, Summer’s Last Dance continues to carve out a unique lane within Chicago’s music landscape through eclectic, cross-genre programming that blends electronic, hip-hop, funk, house, and live performance into a single-day celebration designed to feel connective rather than overwhelming.
Past editions have featured artists ranging from Cheat Codes and KSHMR to Chicago house pioneer Marshall Jefferson, alongside industry figures including Destructo, The Knocks, Slushii, and more. That range reflects an approach that mirrors the diversity of Chicago’s music culture while keeping the festival rooted in community.
The 2026 Phase 1 lineup puts that mission front and center, with Big Gigantic bringing their live electronic sound, Saxsquatch adding his viral sax-driven energy, Henry Fong delivering high-impact bass house, and The Sponges bringing their funk-infused house sound to the bill.
Spanning three stages, 20-plus artists, and 12 hours of music, Summer’s Last Dance will bring together old friends, new fans, and multiple corners of Chicago’s music community for one final celebration before summer fades.
Summer’s Last Dance 2026
September 19, 2026
Bridgeview, IL
SummersLastDance.com
