When is the Chicago Blues Festival 2024? Buddy Guy headlines in one of his last performances

The Chicago Blues Festival runs from June 6 to June 9 at Millennium Park, with the legendary Buddy Guy as the headlining act in what will be one of his final performances. 

Before the acts open at the park, the festival will host an opening night performance on June 6 at Ramova Theatre, featuring Shemekia Copeland and Ronnie Baker Brooks.

Fans can see acts at stages set up across Millennium Park. There are 35 performances and more than 250 artists.

The main stage will be at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, while the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage will be at the park's south promenade and Rosa's Lounge will be at the north promenade.

Who is playing at the Chicago Blues Festival?

The headliner is Guy, who will perform on Sunday evening. Guy's performance will be one of his last before he retires and is part of his "Damn Right Farewell" tour.

Additional headliners include Award-winning blues, soul, and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland; "The Mississippi Blues Child," Mr. Sipp; Grammy-nominated Memphis-based soul and roots band Southern Avenue; and tributes to Jimmy Rogers, Dinah Washington, and Otis Spann.

The Chicago Blues Festival Schedule

Friday

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 7:45–9:00 p.m. Centennial Tribute to Jimmy Rogers featuring Kim Wilson, Jimmy D. Lane, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Bob Margolin, Sebastian Lane, Felton Crews, and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith
• 6:30-7:30 p.m.  Mr. Sipp
• 5:15–6:15 p.m. Corey Harris
• 5:00–5:15 p.m. National Anthem

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)

• 4:30–5:45 p.m. Big A & The Allstars
• 3:00–4:15 p.m. J'Cenae 
• 1:30–2:45 p.m. Keith Johnson & The Big Muddy Band
• 12–1:15 p.m. Nora Jean Wallace

Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade)

• 6:30–7:45 p.m. Last Call with WDCB Radio and Carlos Johnson
• 5:00–6:15 p.m. Sheryl Youngblood
• 3:30–4:45 p.m. Luke Pytel Band featuring Laretha Weathersby
• 2:00–3:15 p.m. Ivy Ford
• 12:30–1:45 p.m. Lil' Jimmy Reed with Ben Levin

Saturday

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 7:45–9:00 p.m. Southern Avenue
• 6:30–7:30 p.m. Vanessa Collier
• 5:00–6:15 p.m. - Centennial Tribute to Dinah Washington featuring Dee Alexander, Elizabeth Faye Butler, Kristin Atkins, Bruce Henry, Miguel de la Cerna, Jeremiah Hunt, Charles Heath IV, and Melody Angel
• 4:45–5:00 p.m. National Anthem

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)

• 4:30–5:45 p.m. Dexter Allen
• 3:00–4:15 p.m. Ra'Shad The Blues Kid
• 1:30–2:45 p.m. Melvin Taylor
• 12–1:15 p.m. Mzz Reese and Reese's Pieces

Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade)

• 6:30–7:45 p.m. Last Call with WDCB Radio and Ivan Singh
• 5:00–6:15 p.m. The Mike Wheeler Band
• 3:30–4:45 p.m. Jamiah "Dirty Deacon" Rogers and the Dirty Church Band
• 2:00-3:15 p.m.  Vino Louden
• 12:30–1:45 p.m. Al Spears & The Hurricane Project

Sunday

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 7:45–9:00 p.m. Buddy Guy
• 6:30–7:30 p.m. Cash Box Kings
• 5:00–6:15 p.m. Centennial Tribute to Otis Spann featuring Johnny Iguana, Roosevelt Purifoy, Rie "Miss Lee" Kanehira, Sumito "Ariyo" Ariyoshi, Oscar Wilson, Bob Stroger, Billy Flynn and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith
• 4:45–5:00 p.m. National Anthem

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)

• 4:30–5:45 p.m. Jaye Hammer
• 3:00-4:15 p.m.  Anissa Hampton
• 1:30–2:45 p.m. Jonathan Ellison & The RAS Blues Band
• 12–1:15 p.m. Southern Komfort Brass Band

Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade)

• 6:30–7:45 p.m. Last Call with WDCB Radio and The Stephen Hull Experience
• 5:00–6:15 p.m. Melody Angel
• 3:30–4:45 p.m. Omar Coleman Westside Soul
• 2:00–3:15 p.m. Joey J. Saye Trio
• 12:30–1:45 p.m. Nate Manos Band with Alicia "Ya Yah" Townsend

How much does it cost to go to the Blues Festival?

Admission to the Blues Festival is free. In fact, the City of Chicago says it is the largest free blues festival in the world.

The event at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted in Bridgeport, is also free, but advance tickets are sold out. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, which opens at 5 p.m. for a 6 p.m. performance.

Is there a map of the Blue Festival?

Yes!

The venue's entrances are located at Michigan Avenue and Washington Street, Michigan Avenue and Madison Street, and Randolph Street or Monroe Street. 

Is there food and drink at the Blues Festival?

Food will be available for purchase from various concession areas. Alcohol will be available for sale inside the park. Alcohol purchased at the concessions must remain in the concession footprint.

 "Wally's BBQ Pit"  will be located in the North Promenade with delicious BBQ fare and specialty drinks catered by Eleven North Hospitality.