Grant Park Music Festival 2013

Once again the Grant Park Music Festival is taking the lead among local summer festivals when it comes to presenting eclectic combinations of popular symphonic and choral fare and more adventuresome classical music programming. And it's all free.

The 79th season of the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, announced Wednesday, will consist of 22 programs given in the course of a 10-week season from June 12 to Aug. 17 at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The season also will bring a renewed emphasis on outreach events presented in collaboration with the Chicago Park District in neighborhoods throughout the city.