Listing by Setline, not by the festival. Check the festival's own website for anything official.
About the festival
The Chicago Blues Festival is the world's largest free blues festival, presented by the city in Millennium Park each June since 1984. More than 500,000 fans attend over four days of free performances.
The 2026 edition
66artists
7stages
500,000attendees
Who played in 2026
66 artists
7Y
75 Years of Billy Branch with Kenny Neal and Ronnie Baker BrooksChicago bluesThis event-style billing celebrates Chicago blues harmonica player Billy Branch, joined by Louisiana blues guitarist Kenny Neal and Chicago blues guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks, likely commemorating a milestone anniversary tribute or festival performance blending traditional and modern electric blues.
CC
C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana BandZydecoC.J. Chenier is the son of zydeco legend Clifton Chenier and has led the Red Hot Louisiana Band since the late 1980s. He carries on his father's tradition, blending zydeco with blues, R&B, and Creole influences, fronting the band with accordion and saxophone.CC
Chris CainBluesChris Cain is an American blues guitarist and singer from San Jose, California, known for his soulful vocals and jazz-influenced guitar phrasing. He built a reputation on the West Coast blues circuit before gaining wider recognition through releases on Alligator Records.
GM
Gerald McClendon (The Soulkeeper) & The A-Team BandSoulGerald McClendon, known as "The Soulkeeper," is a Chicago-based soul and blues singer backed by his group The A-Team Band. He performs classic Southern soul and R&B influenced by artists like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, and has been a fixture on the Chicago soul-blues circuit.
JP
John Primer & Steve BellChicago BluesJohn Primer & Steve Bell are a Chicago blues duo pairing veteran guitarist-vocalist John Primer, known for his work with Muddy Waters and Magic Slim, with harmonica player Steve Bell. Together they perform traditional, deep Chicago blues rooted in postwar electric blues traditions.JP
John Primer: Tribute to Theresa's LoungeChicago bluesJohn Primer is a Chicago blues guitarist and vocalist known for his work with Muddy Waters' band and Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars. "Tribute to Theresa's Lounge" honors the legendary South Side Chicago blues club where Primer performed for years, celebrating traditional electric Chicago blues.
TM
Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues BandBluesTaj Mahal is a renowned American blues musician known for blending blues with Caribbean, African, and other world music influences. Backed by the Phantom Blues Band, he has recorded and toured extensively, earning acclaim including Grammy Awards for his blues recordings.
Getting there
Where it happens
LocationChicago, IL, United States
