Mavis Staples, Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, and Bobby Rush set to headline 2025 Chicago Blues Festival!
The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has 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 fest features four days of free performances, including three full days of shows in Millennium Park, plus an opening night event at the Ramova Theatre.
WDCB will again serve as a media sponsor for the festival as it 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. WDCB blues hosts will also serve as emcees for a number of the concerts, including Tom Marker as the primary emcee at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. WDCB blues deejays will also host the nightly “Last Call with WDCB” sets on the Rosa’s Lounge stage.
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.”
RSVPs for the June 5th event at the Ramova Theatre will be available online beginning 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.
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.
All events are free and open to the public.
2025 Chicago Blues Festival Schedule
Thursday June 5 through Sunday, June 8
THURSDAY, JUNE 5
Ramova Theatre
3520 S. Halsted St., Bridgeport
THE BLUES SESSIONS
4-5pm - Living Blues Panel Discussion
Featuring Jim O’Neal, Scott Barretta, Brett Bonner, Bruce Iglauer and Deitra Farr, Moderated by Dick Shurman, Introductions by Visit Mississippi’s Michelle McAdoo
5:30-6:30pm - Up Close & Personal with Bobby Rush
Moderated by Julia Miller, President/CEO of Delmark Records, Presented with The Recording Academy – Chicago Chapter
DOUBLE-BILL CONCERT PROGRAM
7:30-8:30pm - Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues
9-10:15pm - Bobby Rush
FRIDAY, JUNE 6
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45-4pm - National anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
4-5pm - D.K. Harrell
5:15-6:15pm - Dawn Tyler Watson
6:30-7:15pm - John Primer with Steve Bell
7:30-9pm - B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band, Co-presented with the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon-1:15pm - Lady Adrena and LA Band
1:30-2:45pm - Vick Allen featuring the Velvet Soul Band
3-4:15pm - Johnny Rawls Soul Review
4:30-5:45pm - Eddie Cotton
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45pm - Ivan Singh
2-3:15pm - Jamiah "Dirty Deacon" Rogers and the Dirty Church Band
3:30-4:45pm - Rico McFarland
5-6:15pm - Sheryl Youngblood
6:30-7:45pm – “Last Call with WDCB” featuring The Mike Wheeler Band
SATURDAY, JUNE 7
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45-4pm - National anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
4-5:15pm - Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle featuring Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison
5:30-6:15pm - Joey J. Saye, Stephen Hull and Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport
6:30-7:30pm - Latimore
7:45-9pm - Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon-1:15pm - 2 Blues for You
1:30-2:45pm - Jessie Robinson
3-4:15pm - Vickie Baker, The V Souls and The Groove Crew
4:30-5:45pm - John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45pm - Stefan Hillesheim Band
2-3:15pm - Michael Damani
3:30-4:45pm - Lynne Jordan and The Shivers
5-6:15pm - Joe Barr and The Platinum Band
6:30-7:45pm – “Last Call with WDCB” featuring Theo Huff
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues
11-11:45am - Wendy & DB
Noon-12:45pm - Chicago Blues Revival
1-1:45pm - Curie Metropolitan High School
2-2:45pm - BandWith
3-4pm - VanderCook College of Music
SUNDAY, JUNE 8
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:30-3:45pm - National anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
3:45-5pm - Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation presents 75th Anniversary of Chess Records
5:15-6:15pm - C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band
6:30-7:30pm - Lurrie Bell and Frank Catalano
7:45-9pm - Mavis Staples
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon-1:15pm - Stevie J and The Blues Eruption
1:30-2:45pm - Nellie “Tiger” Travis
3-4:15pm - Jonathan Ellison
4:30-5:45pm - Ms. Jody
Rosa’s Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45pm - Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport
2-3:15pm - Jimmy Burns Band
3:30-4:45pm - Nick Alexander Blues Band
5-6:15pm - Sonia Astacio
6:30-7:45pm – “Last Call with WDCB” featuring 3 by 3 Crew: Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn with Tim Taylor
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues
11-11:45am - Wiggleworms featuring Amanda Payne & Will Fancher of Old Town School of Folk Music
Noon-12:45pm - Fernando Jones Presents the Knott Us Band
1-1:45pm - Kenwood Academy High School
2-2:45pm - Nicholas Senn High School
3-4pm - A Patch of Blues
Maxwell Street between S. Halsted St. and S. Union Ave.
10-11am - DJ James Porter
11am-noon - Marty “Big Dog” Mercer Duo
12:30-1:30pm - Omar Coleman Westside Soul
2-3pm - Harmonica Hinds Duo
