Spark
Introduction
SPARK is UIC's pinnacle concert experience, celebrating our community, our students, and our campus. With the Chicago skyline as our backdrop, we'll create the SPARK you need to ignite the flame of your UIC experience!
In 2010, SPARK was created as a back-to-school event which still focuses on bringing local, national, little known, and well-known artists to campus. SPARK offers a mix of entertainment for UIC’s diverse campus community.
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 3:00PM to 9:00PM
Location: Harrison Field (located on the corner of Halsted/Harrison Street)
Featuring:
- A FREE concert for UIC students
- UIC staff and faculty - $25
- Alumni - $30
- Guests (one guest per iCard) - $40
- Food! (available for purchase)
- Headliner: TBA
- Middle Act: TBA
- Openers: Lupisera (UIC Radio's DJ Battle Winner) and Antillion (UIC Radio's Battle of the Bands Winner)
Follow @UICCSI on social media to get any exciting updates #SPARK2026
Additionally, free VIP Passes will be given to UIC Students who enter into contests found on our social media pages @UICCSI. Students MUST be following UIC CSI's Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter page to win a VIP Pass.
If you have any questions, please contact studentinvolvement@uic.edu.
UIC students RSVP now!
Purchase tickets (staff, faculty, alumni, guests)!
Important Information
RSVP
UIC Students get in for free! At Spark 2026, you will need to RSVP. Students may be asked to present the UIC i-Card at the door.
Parking
We highly encourage UIC students to take CTA public transportation, however parking is available at various parking structures around campus. Please park at the following locations:
- Harrison Street Parking Structure | 1100 West Harrison Street
- Lot 1B | 1139 West Harrison Street
For pricing information, please visit the UIC Parking Services website.
Food & Beverages
Spark is an alcohol and substance free event.
No outside food or beverages permitted.
No water bottles allowed. Free bottles of water will be provided.
Food will be available for purchase. Expect long lines so make sure to eat before you arrive as well. Bring cash and card.
Venue Rules
The following is a partial list of items that are prohibited:
- Outside Food and Beverage. No water bottles will be permitted in the venue.
- Cameras: No flash/professional photography
- Audio or Video Recording Devices
- Selfie sticks
- Bags: Backpacks, Large Bags, Suitcases, or any purse/bag larger than 14″x14″x6″ Tripods/Monopods, Laser Pointers, Alcohol, Drugs, Noise Making Devices, Fireworks, Flashlights, Skateboards/ Rollerblades, Beach Balls, Cans or Bottles
- Any item that could pose a safety hazard or restrict the enjoyment of another guest Weapons are prohibited. Weapons include, but are not limited to, the following: firearms, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, knives, etc. Guests found in possession of the above-mentioned items will be asked to remove the item from the venue or dispose of it. Guests who refuse to comply will be ejected from the venue and may be subject to arrest.
- No re-entry into the venue
Past Spark Performers
Since Spark, formerly known as Spark in the Park, began, the UIC Community has been entertained with great music performances from:
- Lupe Fiasco (2011)
- Childish Gambino/Santigold/Kids These Days (2012)
- Kendrick Lamar/Chance the Rapper/Frankie Knuckles/Griz (2013)
- J. Cole (2014)
- Twenty One Pilots/Wale (2015)
- Travis Scott/Young Thug/Daya (2016)
- Nick Jonas/Big Baby DRAM(2017)
- H.E.R./Rich the Kid/Femdot (2018)
- 21 Savage/Cuco (2019)
- Lil Tecca/Flo Milli/Baby Santana/Carmen Mena (2021)
- PartyNextDoor/Princess Nokia (2022)
- Aminé/Remi Wolf (2023)
- J.I.D./EARTHGANG (2024)
- Tinashe (2025)
Join us for Spark 2025!
Check out footage and pictures from previous Spark festivals below
