Windy City Smokeout, the two-time Academy of Country Music’s “Festival of the Year” music and BBQ festival from Lettuce Entertain You, is thrilled to announce its return to Chicago’s iconic United Center for the 13th year from July 8-12, 2026!
The weekend will feature country music’s biggest names, including LAINEY WILSON, JORDAN DAVIS, HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH, TREATY OAK REVIVAL and more to be announced soon, along with an impressive roster of up-and-coming talent and more than 20 of the best pitmaster teams from across the country.
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The festival will also produce their first-ever Wednesday night concert headlined by TREATY OAK REVIVAL on July 8, offering a new way to kick off the weekend. Wednesday evening’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.
The 2022 and 2024 winner of the ACM “Festival of the Year” award, Windy City Smokeout has become synonymous with pairing the biggest names in country music and BBQ. The festival’s talent is curated by ACM award-winning promoter and Windy City Smokeout Co-Founder and Partner Ed Warm.
The list of headlining talent includes:
● LAINEY WILSON (2023 Country Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year” and ACM’s “Entertainer of the Year” in 2024 and 2025)
● JORDAN DAVIS (2022 CMA “Song of the Year” winner)
● HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH (1996 AMA “Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist”)
● TREATY OAK REVIVAL (2025 ACM nominee for “Album of the Year”)
● Fifth Headliner to be announced soon!
Each headliner will follow a thrilling lineup of country music’s most exciting up-and-coming talent programmed throughout each day. Guests can round out the experience with a selection of standout events, such as the “Biggest Happy Hour of the Summer” on Friday, July 10 and a bottomless BBQ Brunch presented by OpenTable on Sunday, July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The BBQ Brunch will include a variety of dishes from the Windy City Smokeout’s Pitmaster Buffet, featuring a special Bacon Bar – plus guests will have access to unlimited mimosas and Bloody Marys (and more!). A 4-Day or Sunday pass is required in addition to a BBQ Brunch ticket for entrance.
If you are looking for a place to stay for Windy City Smokeout 2026 then check out our interactive accommodation map below. Just add in the dates you want to stay and you will be able to see what’s available nearby!
If you also need to find a flight to get you there, try our flight search feature below! Simply add in your home and destination city, select the dates you want to travel and search away!
