Windy City Smokeout announces dates, some of headline performers for 2026 festival

CHICAGO — Hootie & the Blowfish and Lainey Wilson will be among the headline performers for next year’s Windy City Smokeout, which also includes a special Wednesday night concert for the first time in festival history to kick off the weekend.

Windy City Smokeout made the announcement in a news release Monday, saying the festival will return to the United Center parking lot for the 13th year in 2026, running from Wednesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 12.

The festival’s first-ever Wednesday night concert will be headlined by Treaty Oak Revival. The festival says Wednesday’s “early-bird experience will provide a more intimate concert, along with a variety of new food vendors for guests to experience, as Smokeout’s 2026 pitmasters focus on putting the finishing touches on Thursday’s BBQ preview and prepping for the world’s largest parking lot party the weekend ahead.”

Jordan Davis will also be a festival headliner, in addition to the three headliners already mentioned. The festival says a fifth headliner will be announced soon.

Each headliner will follow other country music performers, and the weekend includes a number of BBQ and beverage events.

Festival hours will be Wednesday, July 8, from 2 to 10 p.m.; Thursday, July 9, from 2 to 10 p.m.; Friday, July 10, from 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 11, from 1 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 12, from 1 to 10 p.m.

Festival passes and Wednesday night wristbands went on sale beginning Monday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m., at the following rates: 4-day general admission ($255); 4-day general admission, plus BBQ Brunch ($320); Wednesday general admission ($49); Wednesday VIP admission ($99).

Full lineup and single-day admission will be announced soon, according to the festival. Passes are more information are available at windycitysmokeout.com.