The world's biggest free blues festival is back in Chicago this weekend
This outdoor festival is a great way to enjoy the city and Chicago's culture and history, closely tied to its music scene. You're sure to hear some quintessential Chicago blues, a specific electric genre that dates back to the 1940s when Mississippi blues artists made their way to the Illinois city, forever influencing its music and culture.
The live music event regularly attracts more than 500,000 listeners to Millennium Park and fellow venues across its festival dates. In addition to celebrated professional artists, including real-deal icons like Mavis Staples and Bobby Rush, you can also listen to new and upcoming musicians as they take the stage—some for the first time. This year's lineup includes a B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison as well as a Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle featuring Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison.
Good to know: While the event is indeed free of charge, admission is first-come, first-served so arrive early to secure your spot.
Check out the full lineup of Chicago Blues Festival performances below:
Thursday, June 5
Ramova Theatre
7:30-8:30 p.m. - Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues
9-10:15 p.m. - Bobby Rush
Friday, June 6
Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:45-4 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice
4-5 p.m. - D.K. Harrell
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Dawn Tyler Watson
6:30-7:15 p.m. - John Primer with Steve Bell
7:30-9:00 p.m. - B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band, co-presented with the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon-1:15 p.m. - Lady Adrena and LA Band
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Vick Allen featuring the Velvet Soul Band
3-4:15 p.m. - Johnny Rawls Soul Review
4:30-5:45 p.m. - Eddie Cotton
Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Ivan Singh
2-3:15 p.m. - Jamiah "Dirty Deacon" Rogers and the Dirty Church Band
3:30-4:45 p.m. - Rico McFarland
5-6:15 p.m. - Sheryl Youngblood
6:30-7:45 p.m. - The Mike Wheeler Band
Saturday, June 7
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45-4 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks, National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing
4-5:15 p.m. - Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle featuring Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison
5:30-6:15 p.m. - Joey J. Saye, Stephen Hull, and Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Latimore
7:45-9 p.m. - Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon- 1:15 p.m. - 2 Blues for You
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Jesse Robinson
3-4:15 p.m. - Vickie Baker, The V Souls, and The Groove Crew
4:30-5:45 p.m. - John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band
Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Stefan Hillesheim Band
2-3:15 p.m. - Michael Damani
3:30-4:45 p.m. - Lynne Jordan and the Shivers
5-6:15 p.m. - Joe Barr and the Platinum Band
6:30-7:45 p.m. - Theo Huff
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace - Next Generation of Blues
11-11:45 a.m. - Wendy & DB
Noon-12:45 p.m. - Chicago Blues Revival
1-1:45 p.m. - Curie Metro High School
2-2:45 p.m. - Bandwith
3-4 p.m. - VanderCook College of Music
Sunday, June 8
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:30-3:45 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice and Sing
3:45-5 p.m. - Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Chess Records with special guest artists, Mud Morganfield, Mitty Collier, Charles Berry, Jr., Charles Berry III, Melvin Taylor, Louisiana Al, Joe Barr, Steve Bell, Rodrigo Mantovani, Dudley Owens, Rick Hall, Simbryt Dortch, Lady Patice, Mae Koen, Sam Chess, and Joe Pratt
5:15-6:15 p.m. - C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Lurrie Bell and Frank Catalano
7:30-7:45 p.m. - Avery R. Young, Chicago Poet Laureate
7:45-9 p.m. - Mavis Staples
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
4:30-5:45 p.m. - Ms. Jody
3-4:15 p.m. - Jonathan Ellison
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Nellie 'Tiger' Travis
Noon-1:15 p.m. - Stevie J and The Blues Eruption
Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport
2-3:15 p.m. - Jimmy Burns Band
3:30-4:45 p.m. - Nick Alexander Blues Band
5-6:15 p.m. - Sonia Astacio
6:30-7:45 p.m. - 3 by 3 Crew: Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn with Tim Taylor
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