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    Bitter Jester Music Festival

    June 7 - 29, 2025

    Port Clinton Square
    Highland Park, IL 60035

    Status: Updated 11/16/2024
    The Bitter Jester Music Festival (BJMF) is the Midwest's largest professional music competition for emerging musicians (bands & solo artists). This is a juried competition/concert series for musicians 21 and younger. BJMF is built on a strong foundation of community and emboldening and empowering young performers (usually 12-21) at a critical time in their artistic development. BJMF gives participating young adults an opportunity to receive professional feedback from working musicians and meet and connect with dozens of other musicians their own age. The Grand Finale features "future headliners.
    • Admission: free
    • Days/­Hours Open: Sat 6pm-11pm, Sun 6pm-11pm, Mon closed, Tue closed, Wed closed, Thu closed, Fri closed, Sat 6pm-11pm, Sun 6pm-11pm, Mon closed, Tue closed, Wed closed, Thu closed, Fri closed, Sat closed, Sun closed, Mon closed, Tue closed, Wed closed, Thu closed, Fri closed, Sat closed, Sun 2pm-10pm
    • Address: 600 Central Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035
    • Entertainment: 1 stage - R,L Entertainment: Variety 
    • Other Activities: judges provide professional feedback, audio, photos, and scores. a live album is recorded.
    • Attendance: 5,000
      # Food Booths: 2
    • # of Exhi­bitors: 2
      Juried: no
      Prize Money: na
    • Deadlines: Art & Craft: until full
      Music: 04/30/2023
      Food: until full 
    • Promoter: Bitter Jester Foundation For the Arts, NFP
    • Show Dir.: Nicolas Degrazia

    • Join to view:
    • Email / contact Web Event Phone Food Fee Exhib. Fee

    • Frequently Asked Questions:
    • Will there be ATMs onsite at Bitter Jester Music Festival?
      There are several banks within walking distance of all concerts.
    • Is Bitter Jester Music Festival dog-friendly or service-animal only?
      Pet friendly!
    • Is Bitter Jester Music Festival rain or shine?
      Yes, rain or shine!
    • Are children free to attend Bitter Jester Music Festival?
      Everyone is free to attend!
    • Is Bitter Jester Music Festival all ages?
      This event is all ages.
    • Is Bitter Jester Music Festival handicap accessible?
      Yes!
    • Who can apply to the Bitter Jester Music Festival?
      Bands with at least half the members 22 or younger. Solo artists 21.

    • FestivalNet is not the event & does not book the participants; we provide contact info to save you time in event research!

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