Live Acoustic Music Near Chicago, Illinois

If you've never experienced hearing talented musicians perform in a small, intimate environment, you are in for a treat.

House concerts are a growing trend across the country, where people invite friends and neighbors into their homes for an up-close concert experience. And there are several house concerts being held in and around the Chicago area that you can check out - you just need to contact the host and ask to be invited.

Churches and non-profit community groups around Chicago host occasional coffeehouses that feature traditional folk musicians and other acoustic artists as a way of bringing the community together.

In addition, live acoustic music can be heard in several listening rooms and small theaters in Chicago. Local restaurants and cafes in the area sometimes host nationally touring musicians as well.

Below you can find a listing of upcoming shows in these smaller venues by nationally and internationally touring artists.

Upcoming Acoustic Shows

November 14
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 15
Harris Theater for Music and Dance (Concert Hall)
Chicago, IL
November 15
The Riviera Theatre (Concert Hall)
Chicago, IL
November 15
A 4 piece Americana / Folk band that stirs a traditional early American music in a contemporary foot stomping pot.
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 16
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 16
Lake County Folk Club (Folk Music Society)
Grayslake, IL
November 16
Schubas Tavern (Neighborhood Bar)
Chicago, IL
November 19
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
November 19
The Hideout (Neighborhood Bar)
Chicago, IL
November 21
House of Waters an instumental trio of hammered dulcimer, bass, and drums
November 21
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
November 21
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 22
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 22
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
November 29
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 5
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 7
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
December 8
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 9
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 11
Irish American Heritage Center (Folk Music Society)
Chicago, IL
December 12
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
December 12
Irish American Heritage Center (Folk Music Society)
Chicago, IL
December 13
Entertainment Impresario, Cultural Medicine Man & Musical Sommelier
Uncommon Ground (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
December 13
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
December 18
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
December 20
Irish American Heritage Center (Folk Music Society)
Chicago, IL
January 4
Maple Street Concerts (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Lombard, IL
January 10
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
January 17
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
January 21
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
January 24
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
January 30
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
January 30
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
February 6
Schubas Tavern (Neighborhood Bar)
Chicago, IL
February 14
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
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Places to see live acoustic music in and around Chicago, Illinois

House Concerts

Molly's House Concert (Lincolnwood)
Port Town House Concert Series (Naperville)
This Old House Concert (Oswego)

Listening Rooms

City Winery (Chicago)
Gorton Center (Lake Forest)
Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights)
Jewel Box Series at Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago)
SPACE (Evanston)
St Tim's Coffeehouse (Skokie)
The Venue Aurora (Aurora)
Two Way Street Coffee House (Downers Grove)
Uncommon Ground (Chicago)

Folk Music Societies

Lake County Folk Club (Grayslake)
Irish American Heritage Center (Chicago)
Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) (Lisle)

Folk Music Coffeehouses

Acoustic Renaissance Concerts at Hinsdale Unitarian Church (Hinsdale)
Maple Street Concerts (Lombard)
Wesley's Place (La Grange)

Cafes, Restaurants & Coffee Shops

Adelle's Fine American Fare (Wheaton)
Beat Kitchen (Chicago)

Small Theaters

Epiphany Center for the Arts (Chicago)
Music at Moser (Joliet)
Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago)
Thalia Hall (Chicago)

Outdoor Music Series

Lombard Historical Society - Music on Maple Street (Lombard)

Bars & Nightclubs

FitzGerald's Nightclub (Berwyn)
Friendly Music Community (Berwyn)
Montrose Saloon (Chicago)
Schubas Tavern (Chicago)
The Hideout (Chicago)