Chicago Blues Festival 2026 announces lineup
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Thursday – Sunday, June 4 – 7
Millennium Park, 4 stages across the Park
Plus: The Ramova Theater at 35th & Halsted
and Maxwell Street
FREE!
Concerts will also be livestreamed at Youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE
City of Chicago Announces 2026 Chicago Blues Festival Lineup
June 4–7
Thursday, June 4 - Ramova Theatre
Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St., Chicago IL. 60609
5 p.m. - doors 6-10:30 p.m. - panel discussion + double-bill program18+ (minors accompanied by their guardian will be admitted)
Seating is available on a first-come, first served basis, and an RSVP does not guarantee a seat. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure admission. For ADA accommodations, please reach out to box@ramovachicago.com.
Panel Discussion, 6-7 p.m.
20 Years of the Mississippi Blues Trail - Fireside Chat with Mayor John Horhn, Scott Barretta, Bill McPherson, Dr. Edgar Smith, and Jim O’Neal
Moderated by TBD
Ramova Theatre Double-Bill Concert Program
7:15-8:30 p.m. - John Primer - Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge
8:45-10:15 p.m. - Willie Clayton
Friday, June 5 - Millennium Park
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:30-3:45 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice
3:45-4:45 p.m. - Marquise Knox
5-6 p.m. - C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
6:15-7:15 p.m. - Elvin Bishop Duo & Charlie Musselwhite
7:30-9 p.m. - 55 Years of Alligator Records featuring Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Toronzo Cannon, Nick Moss, and Tinsley Ellis
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon - 1:15 p.m. - Mississippi Marshall
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Big Time Rhythm & Blues Band
3-4:15 p.m. - Eden Brent
4-5:45 p.m. - Ra’shad The Blues Kid
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Nick Alexander Blues Band
2-3:15 p.m. - Funky MojoDaddy
3:30-4:45 p.m. - The Mike Wheeler Band with Demetria Taylor
5-6:15 p.m. - Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings
6:30-7:45 p.m. - The Freddie Dixon Blues Band
Wrigley Square - Next Generation of Blues
Noon - 12:45 p.m. - Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts
1-1:45 p.m. - Chicago West Community Music Center
2-2:45 p.m. - Curie Metro High School
3-3:45 p.m. - The People’s Music School
4-4:45 p.m. - Kenwood Academy High School
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Meaza Joy
6:45-7:45 p.m. - Vander
Saturday, June 6 - Millennium Park
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45-4 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice
4-5 p.m. - Dylan Triplett
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Shakura S’Aida
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Ruthie Foster
7:45-9 p.m. - 75 Years of Billy Branch with Kenny Neal and Ronnie Baker Brooks
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon - 1:15 p.m. - John Clayton White
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Anissa Hampton
3-4:15 p.m. - Cuz Band
4:30-5:45 p.m. - Dexter Allen
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Theo Huff & The Legacy Band
2-3:15 p.m. - Melody Angel
3:30-4:45 p.m. - Nick Moss Band
5-6:15 p.m. - Gerry Hundt Trio
6:30-7:45 p.m. - Oscar Wilson Blues Band
Wrigley Square - Next Generation of Blues
Noon - 12:45 p.m. - WDCB Presents
1-1:45 p.m. - Nicholas Senn High School
2-2:45 p.m. - BandWith Chicago
3-3:45 p.m. - Fernando Jones Presents the Blues Kids of America Jam Session
4-4:45 p.m. - Whitney Young High School
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Chicago Blues Revival
6:45-7:45 p.m. - Midwest Young Artist Conservatory
Sunday, June 7 - Millennium Park
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:30-3:45 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice
3:45-5 p.m. - Women in Blues Tribute to Mama Yancey and Big Mama Thornton with Mary Lane, Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, Melody Angel, Lee Kanehira, and Lynne Jordan & the Shivers
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Sue Foley
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Chris Cain
7:45-9 p.m. - Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon - 1:15 p.m. - Libby Rae Watson with Bill Steber
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Fred T and The Band
3-4:15 p.m. - Mzz. Reese & Reese’s Pieces
4:30-5:45 p.m. - Jaye Hammer
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - A Patch of Blues
2-3:15 p.m. - Dan Souvigny Band with Carlos Johnson
3:30-4:45 p.m. - Bob Stroger: Windy City Blues Legend
5-6:15 p.m. - Rick King’s Royal Hustle
6:30-7:45 p.m. - Gerald McClendon (The Soulkeeper) & The A-Team Band
Wrigley Square - Next Generation of Blues
Noon - 12:45 p.m. - Wendy and DB
1-1:45 p.m. - King College Prep
2-2:45 p.m. - Jones College Prep
3-3:45 p.m. - Will Carter Music
4-4:45 p.m. - Alex Olson
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Knott Us Band
6:45-7:45 p.m. - The Chicago Academy for the Arts
Blues Village
Festivalgoers can visit the Blues Village in the North Promenade and Wrigley Square, featuring the Blues Foundation, Delmark Records, Muddy Waters MOJO Museum, Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation and other organizations.
Sunday, June 7 - Maxwell Street Blues Series
The blues continues with a neighborhood celebration at the legendary market on Maxwell Street, between South Halsted Street and South Union Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Schedule
10-11 a.m. - DJ James Porter
11 a.m. - Noon - Studebaker John’s Maxwell Street Kings
Noon - 12:30 p.m. - DJ James Porter
12:30-1:30 p.m. - John Primer & Steve Bell
1:30-2:00 p.m. - DJ James Porter
2-3 p.m. - Harmonica Hinds Duo
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Ramova Theatre
In 1929, Ramova Theatre opened its doors as Bridgeport's premier movie palace. With an iconic sign and Spanish-inspired architecture, it became the jewel of the neighborhood — a place for people to gather and communities to come together. Now, nearly a century later, the space has returned, reimagined as an 1,800+ person live concert hall, craft brewery partnered with Other Half Brewing, beer garden and grill. Meticulously restored to preserve the architectural heart of the building, Ramova once again lights up Halsted and 35th Street and brings the country’s top performing acts to Bridgeport, alongside educational programs, workshops, and community outreach initiatives. For more information, visit https://ramovachicago.com/ or follow @ramovachicago on Instagram and Facebook.
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