Chicago Blues Festival

Thursday, June 5th - Sunday, 8th, 2025
  • Millennium Park
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • blues-jazz
  • All Ages
  • Free
  • No Camping
  • No RV Accommodations
Mavis Staples • Christone “Kingfish” Ingram • Billy Branch And The Sons Of Blues • B.B. King Centennial Tribute (Christone “Kingfish” Ingram And D.K. Harrell And Jonathan Ellison With The B.B. King Centennial Band) • Eddie Cotton • The Mike Wheeler Band • John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band • Theo Huff • Vandercook College Of Music • Ms. Jody • 3 By 3 Crew: (Freddie Dixon And John Watkins And Maurice Vaughn With Tim Taylor) • A Patch Of Blues • Bobby Rush • John Primer With Steve Bell • Johnny Rawls Soul Review • Sheryl Youngblood • Latimore • Vickie Baker • The V Souls • And The Groove Crew • Joe Barr And The Platinum Band • Bandwith • Lurrie Bell And Frank Catalano • Jonathan Ellison • Sonia Astacio • Nicholas Senn High School • Dawn Tyler Watson • Vick Allen Featuring The Velvet Soul Band • Rico Mcfarland • Joey J. Saye • Stephen Hull • And Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport • Jessie Robinson • Lynne Jordan And The Shivers • Curie Metro High School • C.J. Chenier And The Red Hot Louisiana Band • Nellie “Tiger” Travis • Nick Alexander Blues Band • Kenwood Academy High School • D.K. Harrell • Lady Adrena And La Band • Jamiah "Dirty Deacon" Rogers And The Dirty Church Band • Nellie “Tiger” Travis • Thornetta Davis • Nora Jean Wallace • Mzz Reese With Jonathan Ellison • 2 Blues For You • Michael Damani • Chicago Blues Revival • Mud Morganfield • Charles Berry • Charles Berry Jr. • Melvin Taylor • Louisiana Al • Joe Barr • Steve Bell • Rodrigo Mantovani • Dudley Owens • Joe Pratt • Stevie J And The Blues Eruption • Jimmy Burns Band • Fernando Jones Presents The Knott Us Band • Ivan Singh • Stefan Hillesheim Band • Wendy & Db • Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport • Wiggleworms

***Event entry will be first come, first served; and subject to venue capacity***

The Chicago Blues Festival is an iconic event that brings together music lovers from around the world to celebrate the rich heritage of blues music. This festival free blues music festival in the world, attracting  500,000 attendees annually. With a diverse lineup of performances and a vibrant atmosphere, the Chicago Blues Festival is a must-visit for anyone.

The roots of the Chicago Blues Festival can be traced back to the early 1960s when a group of blues enthusiasts, including Willie Dixon and Big Joe Williams, organized the first-ever Chicago Blues Festival. The festival aimed to showcase the incredible talent of local blues musicians and pay homage to the genre’s deep connection to the city of Chicago.

Over the years, the festival has grown in size and popularity, attracting both established blues legends and up-and-coming artists. The Chicago Blues Festival has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the blues in the city. Each year, the festival’s lineup pays homage to the past, present, and future of blues music, showcasing the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop, and more.

Take the time to explore the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage and Rosa’s Lounge, where you can discover new artists and enjoy a more intimate setting.

3 Stages

35 Performances

250 Artists

Official Website

2024 Featured Artists: Buddy Guy • Southern Avenue • Corey Harris • Shemekia Copeland • Vanessa Collier • Cash Box Kings • Mr. Sipp • Jaye Hammer • Anissa Hampton • Dexter Allen