Taj Mahal, Willie Clayton, Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite to headline the 2026 Chicago Blues Festival, June 4-7
April 15th, 2026
WDCB will again serve as a media sponsor for the annual fest, which celebrates Chicago’s rich blues heritage with four days of free blues programming. The fest kicks off with an opening night concert at the Ramova Theatre on June 4th, then continues at Millennium Park with three days of music on multiple stages June 5th – 7th. The fest will also include a special Sunday celebration at Maxwell Street.
This year’s festival lineup also includes a “Women in Blues” tribute to Mama Yancey and Big Mama Thornton, plus tributes to harmonica ace Billy Branch and Chicago’s venerable blues label, Alligator Records. The star studded lineup also includes Ruthie Foster, Chris Cain, Sue Foley, Jaye Hammer and many more.
“Chicago is the birthplace of modern blues, and this festival reflects the sound, soul and resilience that define our city,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By investing in free, accessible cultural events like the Chicago Blues Festival, we are supporting artists, strengthening communities and ensuring this legacy continues for generations to come.”
“The Chicago Blues Festival is both a celebration and a living archive of this art form,” said DCASE Acting Commissioner Kenya Merritt. “This year’s programming honors the pioneers who shaped the blues while elevating emerging artists who are expanding its future while activating downtown Chicago as a global stage.”
WDCB’s involvement in 2026 will again include our “Last Call with WDCB” presentations each night on the Rosa’s Lounge stage, as well as presentations on the youth-oriented “Next Generation of Blues” stage in Millennium Park’s Wrigley Square.
2026 Chicago Blues Festival Schedule
Thursday June 4 through Sunday, June 7
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Ramova Theatre
3520 S. Halsted St., Bridgeport
The evening includes a panel discussion, “Fireside Chat: 20 Years of the Mississippi Blues Trail,” followed by a double-bill concert:
7:15-8:30 p.m. - John Primer: Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge
8:45-10:15 p.m. - Willie Clayton
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:30-3:45 p.m. - Introductions & Anthems
3:45-4:45 p.m. - Marquise Knox
5-6 p.m. - C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band|
6:15-7:15 p.m. - Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite Duo|
7:30-9 p.m. - 55 Years of Alligator Records featuring Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Toronzo Cannon, Nick Moss, and Tinsley Ellis
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon-1:15 p.m. - Mississippi Marshall
1:30-2:45 p.m. - The Big Time Rhythm & Blues Band
3-4:15 p.m. - Eden Brent
4-5:45 p.m. - Ra’shad the Blues Kid
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Nick Alexander Blues Band
2-3:15 p.m. - Funky MojoDaddy
3:30 - 4:45 p.m. - The Mike Wheeler Band with Demetria Taylor
5 - 6:15 p.m. - Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings
6:30 - 7:45 p.m. - “Last Call with WDCB” featuring the Freddie Dixon Blues Band
Wrigley Square - Next Generation of Blues
Noon-12:45 p.m. - Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts
1-1:45 p.m. - Chicago West Community Music Center
2-2:45 p.m. - Curie Metro High School
3-3:45 p.m. - The People’s Music School
4-4:45 p.m. - Kenwood Academy High School
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Meaza Joy
6:45-7:45 p.m. - VanderCook College of Music
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45-4 p.m. - Introductions & Anthems
4-5 p.m. - Dylan Triplett
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Shakura S’Aida
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Ruthie Foster
7:45-9 p.m. - 75 Years of Billy Branch with Kenny Neal and Ronnie Baker Brooks
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon-1:15 p.m. - John Clayton White
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Anissa Hampton
3-4:15 p.m. - Cuz Band
4:30-5:45 p.m. - Dexter Allen
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Theo Huff & The Legacy Band
2-3:15 p.m. - Melody Angel
3:30-4:45 p.m. - The Nick Moss Band
5-6:15 p.m. - The Gerry Hundt Trio
6:30-7:45 p.m. - “Last Call with WDCB” featuring the Oscar Wilson Blues Band
Wrigley Square - Next Generation of Blues
Noon-12:45 p.m. - WDCB Presents
1-1:45 p.m. - Nicholas Senn High School
2-2:45 p.m. - BandWith Chicago
3-3:45 p.m. - Fernando Jones Presents the Blues Kids of America Jam Session
4-4:45 p.m. - Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Chicago Blues Revival
6:45-7:45 p.m. - Midwest Young Artist Conservatory
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:30-3:45 p.m. - Introductions & Anthems
3:45-5 p.m. - Women in Blues Tribute to Mama Yancey and Big Mama Thornton with Mary Lane, Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, Melody Angel, Lee Kanehira, and Lynne Jordan & the Shivers
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Sue Foley
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Chris Cain
7:45-9 p.m. - Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon-1:15 p.m. - Libby Rae Watson with Bill Steber
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Fred T and The Band
3-4:15 p.m. - Mzz Reese & Reese’s Pieces
4:30-5:45 p.m. - Jaye Hammer
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - A Patch of Blues
2-3:15 p.m. - Dan Souvigny Band with Carlos Johnson
3:30-4:45 p.m. - Bob Stroger - Windy City Blues Legend
5-6:15 p.m. - Rick King’s Royal Hustle
6:30-7:45 p.m. – “Last Call with WDCB” featuring Gerald McClendon & The A-Team Band
Wrigley Square - Next Generation of Blues
Noon-12:45 p.m. - Wendy and DB
1-1:45 p.m. - King College Prep
2-2:45 p.m. - Jones College Prep
3-3:45 p.m. - Will Carter Music
4-4:45 p.m. - Alex Olson
5:15-6:15 p.m. - Knott Us Band
6:45-7:45 p.m. - The Chicago Academy for the Arts
Gerry Hundt’s Legendary One-Man Band will perform Friday-Sunday from 1-3 p.m. in various spaces throughout Millennium Park.
Maxwell Street Blues Series - Sunday, June 7
The blues fest includes a neighborhood celebration at the legendary market on Maxwell Street, between South Halsted Street and South Union Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
10-11 a.m. - DJ James Porter
11 a.m.-12 p.m. - Studebaker John’s Maxwell Street Kings
Noon-12:30 p.m. - DJ James Porter
12:30-1:30 p.m. - John Primer & Steve Bell
1:30-2 p.m. - DJ James Porter
2-3 p.m. - Harmonica Hinds Duo