City of Chicago Announces 2025 Chicago Blues Festival Lineup, June 5–8, Featuring Mavis Staples, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Bobby Rush and More

 Four Days of Free Performances Across the City Including Millennium Park, Ramova Theatre and Maxwell Street

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the full lineup and programming highlights for the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival, taking place June 5–8 at Millennium Park and other venues citywide. 

The largest free blues festival in the world returns for its 41st year with a stellar lineup of local legends, international stars, and rising talent, continuing Chicago’s legacy as the world capital of the blues. This year’s festivities kick off with a special opening night concert and panel discussions at the newly restored Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport, followed by three days of performances across four stages in Millennium Park, plus a Sunday afternoon blues showcase at the historic Maxwell Street. 

“The Blues Festival is a true celebration of our city’s deep-rooted musical heritage,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “From Millennium Park to Maxwell Street, this festival honors the past, celebrates the present, and nurtures the future of Chicago blues.” 

Opening day festivities, co-hosted by WVON 1690, on Thursday, June 5 at Ramova Theatre (3520 S. Halsted St.) include The Blues Sessions with a Living Blues Panel moderated by Dick Shurman, an “Up Close & Personal” conversation with Bobby Rush presented in partnership with The Recording Academy - Chicago Chapter, and a double-bill concert featuring Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues and headliner Bobby Rush. 

RSVPs for June 5 will be available online on May 6 at 10 a.m. at ramovachicago.com. This event is free with online RSVP, and subject to venue capacity. Entry is first come, first served. This is a standing room event with some seating available.  

For ADA accommodations, please email box@ramovachicago.com. 

Headlining this year’s festival at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park are: 

• Mavis Staples (Sunday, June 8), the iconic GRAMMY-winning singer and civil rights activist. 

• Christone “Kingfish” Ingram (Saturday, June 7), a guitar virtuoso and leading voice of the new generation of blues artists. 

• B.B. King Centennial Tribute (Friday, June 6), featuring Kingfish, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band, co-presented with the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center. 

Other festival highlights include: 

• A Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle, featuring Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and more. 

• Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th anniversary of Chess Records with a special music tribute. 

• Performances by Lurrie Bell, Latimore, C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band, D.K. Harrell, and many others. 

• The return of the Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage, Rosa’s Lounge Stage, and the newly added Next Generation of Blues stage on the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace supported by the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation. 

The Maxwell Street Blues Series on Sunday, June 8 brings the blues back to its South Side roots with performances by Omar Coleman Westside Soul, Marty “Big Dog” Mercer, Harmonica Hinds, and more. 

New this year, DCASE offers support and funding to Blues presenting venues and organizations via the Citywide Blues Community Funding program, which supports free blues performances citywide the week leading up to the Blues Festival. Participating 2025 venues will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Back by popular demand, the festival elevates its food options with a Blues-inspired smokehouse experience called “Wally’s BBQ Pit” with delicious BBQ fare and specialty drinks catered by Eleven North Hospitality. 

As in previous years, outside alcohol is not allowed for the Chicago Blues Festival, but alcohol may be purchased inside the venue. Before visiting, please be advised of other Prohibited Items at MillenniumPark.org.

For Millennium Park safety and security information, visit the Plan Your Visit page of MillenniumPark.org. 

The Chicago Blues Festival is sponsored by partners 90.9fm WDCB, Chicago Jazz Publishing, Chicago Transit Authority, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Millennium Garages, Mississippi Development Authority, Rosa's Lounge and WVON 1690.