Chicago blues is an electric blues style that was heavily influenced by the Mississippi bluesmen who traveled to Chicago in the early 1940s, and swaying to the rhythm of the blues is a rite of passage for Chicagoans.
Fortunately, the city has a free Chicago blues festival to look forward to this weekend.
This beloved annual event is a hallmark feature of Chicago’s legendary blues scene. Every year, more than 500,000 blues enthusiasts gather in Millennium Park for several days of performances featuring some of the genre’s most revered musicians, as well as up-and-coming and local talent.
The best part is that the Chicago Blues festival is free; however, admission is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to venue capacity.
When is the Chicago Blues Festival 2025?
This weekend, June 5–8, 2025, at Millennium Park.
Chicago Blues Festival 2025 lineup
Friday, June 6
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- D.K. Harrell
- Dawn Tyler Watson
- John Primer with Steve Bell
- 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 & Delta Interpretive Center
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
- Lady Adrena and LA Band
- Vick Allen featuring the Velvet Soul Band
- Johnny Rawls Soul Review
- Eddie Cotton
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
- Ivan Singh
- Jamiah “Dirty Deacon” Rogers and the Dirty Church Band
- Rico McFarland
- Sheryl Youngblood
- The Mike Wheeler Band
Saturday, June 7
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle
- Featuring Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison
- Joey J. Saye, Stephen Hull, and Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport
- Latimore
- Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
- 2 Blues for You
- Jessie Robinson
- Vickie Baker, The V Souls, and The Groove Crew
- John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
- Stefan Hillesheim Band
- Michael Damani
- Lynne Jordan and The Shivers
- Joe Barr and The Platinum Band
- Theo Huff
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues
- Wendy & DB
- Chicago Blues Revival
- Curie Metropolitan High School
- Bandwith
- VanderCook College of Music
Sunday, June 8
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Chess Records
- C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band
- Lurrie Bell and Frank Catalano
- Mavis Staples
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
- Stevie J and The Blues Eruption
- Nellie “Tiger” Travis
- Jonathan Ellison
- Ms. Jody
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
- Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport
- Jimmy Burns Band
- Nick Alexander Blues Band
- Sonia Astacio
- 3 by 3 Crew: Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn, with Tim Taylor
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues
- Wiggleworms featuring Amanda Payne & Will Fancher of Old Town School of Folk Music
- Noon–12:45 p.m. – Fernando Jones Presents the Knott Us Band
- Kenwood Academy High School
- Nicholas Senn High School
- A Patch of Blues