Chicago Blues Festival June 8-11

Photo credit DCASE
Event Information:
Thursday, June 8, 2023
5:30 PM-9:00 PM CT
Friday, June 9, 2023
12:00 PM-9:00 PM CT
Saturday, June 10, 2023
12:00 PM-9:00 PM CT
Sunday, June 11, 2023
12:00 PM-9:00 PM CT
Millennium Park

201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601

The largest, free Blues festival in the world returns to Chicago with four days of top tier talent performing in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Three stages set up across Millennium Park will welcome 45 performances and more than 250 artists celebrating the city’s renowned Blues legacy.

2023 Blues headliners include Los Lobos, Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, Mud Morganfield, John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, Jimmy Burns Band, Sugaray Rayford, Jontavious Willis, Vasti Jackson, Eddie Cotton, O.B. Buchana, Super Chikan, and many more.

Commissioned projects include the Centennial Tribute to Albert King featuring Donald Kinsey, Larry McCray, Rico McFarland, Carl Weathersby and Tony Llorens; a Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Celebration; and a “Women in Blues” tribute featuring Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis, Sugar Pie DeSanto and more.

New this year, the festival elevates its food options with a Blues-inspired smokehouse experience called “Wally’s BBQ Pit” in the North Promenade Tent of the Park with delicious BBQ fare and specialty drinks catered by Millennium Hall.

Further enriching the immersive Blues experience, Praize Productions, Inc. presents a photography installation, “The Rhythm Within Our Blues” featuring life-size photographs depicting the history and authentic culture of Blues music told via the lens of professional photographers of color from Chicago's South Side.

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