ARC Music Festival, Chicago’s flagship house and techno event – unveils its 2026 lineup and announces an expansion to four days, returning Labor Day Weekend from September 4th – 7th. Led by Auris Presents, the city’s leading force in festivals and events, ARC has become a global gathering point for electronic music’s most influential figures, emerging voices, and underground innovators, all set against the backdrop of Chicago, the birthplace of house music.
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House music is Chicago’s gift to the world – a culture built on joy, inclusivity, and community that has become a universal language across the globe. ARC exists as a living tribute to that legacy: a place where the past, present, and future of house music converge, celebrating the sound and lifestyle that has traveled from Chicago’s underground to the world.
Every year we face the same challenge: we want to include more artists than the schedule allows. The global community is thriving, and ARC always flies by. Just as we hit our stride, the weekend is over, and we never want the music to stop. By expanding to four days, we can showcase more of the talent we love and create even more unforgettable moments for our community. This marks the beginning of a new era for ARC – John Curley, ARC Co-Founder and Lead Talent Buyer
ARC has enlisted a staggering lineup of world-class talent to welcome in this new era – led by the futuristic soundscapes of ANYMA, peerless electronic legacy act UNDERWORLD, beloved global champion MICHAEL BIBI, unifying Chicago dance icon HONEY DIJON, and high priestess of hard techno SARA LANDRY. Highlights also include Brazilian fire starter MOCHAKK, meteoric house sensation MAU P, drum and bass torchbearers CHASE & STATUS, globe trotting heavyweights VINTAGE CULTURE B2B DAMIAN LAZARUS. The billing expands with rave ready Berlin duo BRUTALISMUS 3000, ascendant Dutch favorite CHRIS STUSSY, revered versatile selectors JOY ORBISON B2B BEN UFO, and foundational Chicago house architect DERRICK CARTER.
A core facet of ARC’s curation is its unparalleled showing of standout back-to-back sets and pairings that bridge generations of artists from both within the city and beyond. This year, team-ups include the pioneering DETROIT LOVE (CARL CRAIG, MOODYMANN, STACEY PULLEN), Chicago-rooted legends THE BLESSED MADONNA B2B LIL’ LOUIS, and veteran meets new school pairings of GREEN VELVET B2B JOSH BAKER and TIGA B2B BRUNELLO.
ARC will continue to spotlight some of today’s most in demand contemporary house artists such as British tech-house hitmaker CLOONEE, Brazilian rhythm driver BELTRAN, rave revivalists Prospa, groove-heavy favorites BEN STERLING B2B DENNIS CRUZ, Italian exports MEDUZA B2B GENESI, and the newly introduced AFTER MIDNIGHT (Matroda x San Pacho). Additional highlights include dancefloor fillers WALKER & ROYCE B2B VNSSA, veteran Chicago house producer MIKE DUNN, Chicago-bred acid and dark dance riser AZZECCA, bass house talent ODD MOB, and rising house purveyors MAX DEAN B2B LUKE DEAN and OMAR+ B2B OBSKÜR.
ARC remains a home for harder sounds and styles – spotlighting adept techno authorities NICOLE MOUDABER B3B PACO OSUNA B3B DUBFIRE, French powerhouse NICO MORENO, enigmatic force I HATE MODELS, and Italian hard techno duo 999999999. Deep digging enthusiasts will also enjoy vinyl veterans HÉCTOR OAKS B2B QUEST, Amsterdam tastemaker KI/KI, cutting-edge Berlin stalwart DAX J Live, and melodic maestros such as KEVIN DE VRIES B2B CHRIS AVANTGARDE and KOROLOVA B2B KASIA.
ARC also retains its standing as a platform for forward-thinking artists who have branched house and techno influences off into new sounds for the next generation – with underground innovators NIA ARCHIVES B2B X CLUB., and DJ HEARTSTRING B2B BAUGRUPPE90, among the billing, plus the eclectic sounds of DJ GIGOLA B2B SKIN ON SKIN and high energy experimentalist MCR-T. Added highlights include Latin-rooted duo INVT, the jazz-inflected deep house sounds of CHAOS IN THE CBD, and the high-bpm euphoria of SALUTE.
ARC will again extend beyond the festival grounds with its expansive ARC After Dark afterparty series. ARC After Dark will run for five nights from Thursday through Monday, with a full slate added on Monday night as a result of the festival’s expansion. Fans can again expect a packed showing of sets from both festival lineup artists and special guests, alongside artist aliases, exclusive back-to-backs, label takeovers, surprise sets, and more.
If you are looking for a place to stay for ARC Festival 2026 then check out our interactive accommodation map below. Just add in the dates you want to stay and the venue 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!
