Chicago Blues Festival 2024: A Musical Legacy Continues in Millennium Park

The City of Chicago is set to host the iconic Chicago Blues Festival from June 6 to June 9, 2024, marking another chapter in the city's rich musical tradition. Celebrated as the world’s largest free Blues festival, this year's event is poised to gather music enthusiasts at Millennium Park and the historic Ramova Theatre for a four-day celebration of blues music.

The festival will commence with a special opening night at the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport on Thursday, June 6, offering free admission with an online RSVP available from May 1. The event emphasizes its inclusive nature, stating entry will be first-come, first-served, adhering to the venue's capacity constraints.

From Friday, June 7, through Sunday, June 9, the festivities will move to Millennium Park, where admission remains free for all attendees. The festival's layout includes multiple entry points across Michigan Ave. and Washington St., Michigan Ave. and Madison St., Randolph St., and Monroe St., facilitating easy access for visitors.

This year, the festival is proud to announce a lineup featuring over 250 artists across more than 35 performances on three stages throughout Millennium Park. The highlight of the event will be a special Sunday evening performance on June 9 by Chicago’s own Buddy Guy, who will grace the stage as part of his "Damn Right Farewell" tour. This performance is anticipated to be one of his final appearances, drawing attention from fans nationwide.

The roster of headliners for the 2024 festival includes notable names such as Shemekia Copeland, Mr. Sipp, and the GRAMMY-nominated band Southern Avenue, along with centennial tributes to blues legends like Jimmy Rogers, Dinah Washington, and Otis Spann.

In addition to the musical performances, the festival will feature "Wally’s BBQ Pit," offering attendees a blues-inspired smokehouse experience. This culinary offering underscores the festival's commitment to enhancing the overall visitor experience with delicious BBQ fare and specialty drinks catered by Eleven North Hospitality.

A notable aspect of this year's festival is its commitment to accessibility, with American Sign Language Interpretation provided for all concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. This initiative ensures that the festival remains accessible to all music lovers, aligning with the City of Chicago's broader goals for inclusivity.

As preparations for the 2024 Chicago Blues Festival are underway, the city anticipates welcoming thousands of visitors to Millennium Park for a weekend dedicated to celebrating the blues music legacy and its impact on Chicago’s cultural heritage.