Windy City Smokeout, the nation’s premier outdoor country music and BBQ festival, is returning to Chicago’s iconic United Center venue this weekend, from July 11-14, 2024.
The festival, which won the Academy of Country Music Awards “Festival of the Year” in 2022, will feature a tremendous lineup featuring some of country music’s most prominent names and up-and-coming talents. Attendees can also enjoy the best BBQ and craft beer nationwide.
Who is headlining this year?
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the eleventh edition of Windy City Smokeout! Headline performances feature eight-time GRAMMY award winner Carrie Underwood, CMA award winner Cody Johnson, CMA nominee and ACM’s 2022 New Male Artist of the Year Parker McCollum, and five-time GRAMMY award nominee Thomas Rhett.
Curated by Chicago’s Lettuce Entertain You, the festival showcases nearly 30 of the world’s best pitmasters, including six new teams. Throughout the music-filled weekend, barbecue styles are offered in a mouthwatering array.
The full 2024 BBQ Windy City Smokeout lineup includes:
Bub City, Blues Hog, Green Street Smoked Meats, Hogapalooza, Hoodoo Brown BBQ, Hurtado Barbecue, Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, Little Miss BBQ, Lexington Betty’s Smokehouse, Meat Mitch, Operation BBQ Relief, Panther City BBQ, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Salt Lick BBQ, Smoque BBQ, Soul & Smoke, Sugarfire Smokehouse, and Ubons BBQ, Wright’s Barbecue. With BBQ newcomers such as 2M Smokehouse BBQ, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, Dampf Good BBQ, GQue BBQ, Jack Stack Barbecue, and Pig Beach BBQ.
What can you expect?
Besides the artists and smoking lineup of BBQ, there is an array of lounges and shops to explore. Some notable ones include:
Visit Fort Worth: Chat about the city’s burgeoning F&B scene, authentic Western experiences, world-class arts scene, and future as the third fastest-growing city in the country. The activation will bring the city’s vibrant Western culture to Chicago with Panther City BBQ’s renowned craft barbecue, Justin Boots giveaways, and more.
The Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge: Located in the center of the festival, it is the Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge. A 21+ cocktail and lounge area for festival-goers to hang out and shake things up! Stock up on custom Tito’s swag, play yard games, enjoy a taste of free WiFi, cool down in the airstream, and get creative making personalized Tito’s friendship bracelets, all while you sit back and sip on a refreshing Tito’s Windy City Sipper cocktail. Other cocktails available for purchase include Tito’s Texas Watermelon Mule, Cowboy Tito Rita, or Tito’s soda topped with fresh blood orange and lemon juice.
Bud Light activation: Don’t miss the Bud Light Lounge, a two-story space offering giveaways, memorable photo opportunities, and, of course, more Bud Light!
How to grab festival tickets:
Four-day festival passes are now on sale here. Tickets are currently priced as follows:
● Four-day GA Admission: $255.95
● Four-day GA Admission, plus BBQ Brunch: $330.95
● Four-day VIP Admission: $1,524.95
● Four-day VIP Admission, plus BBQ Brunch: $1,449.95
● Four-day Platinum Admission: $2,699.95
● Four-day Platinum Admission, plus BBQ Brunch: $2,774.95
Single-day prices are as follows:
General Admission:
● Thursday: $65.95
● Friday: $65.95
● Saturday: $65.95
● Sunday: $65.95
● Sunday + Brunch: $140.95
VIP:
● Thursday: $399.95
● Friday: $449.95
● Saturday: $449.95
● Sunday: $399.95
● Sunday + Brunch: $474.95
Platinum:
● Thursday: $799.95
● Friday: $849.95
● Saturday: $849.95
● Sunday: $799.95
● Sunday + brunch: $874.95