2026 Windy City Smokeout - Friday (Lainey Wilson, Hudson Westbrook, Vincent Mason) Windy City Smokeout Festival Chicago

Windy City Smokeout Festival is a big outdoor musical fest outside the United Center, Chicago. It features an amazing musical lineup of country superstars and up-and-coming talent. About 15,000 fans are expected to enjoy country music, BBQ, and craft beer at this festival.

The festival usually happens in July and lasts for about four days. In the 2023 festival headliners, some biggest names in the industry, like Zach Bryan, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, and Zac Brown Band, are included. Some other famous highlights include Eli Young Band, Chris Lane, Tanner Adell, Jo Dee Messina, Dylan Scott, and Larry Fleet.

The festival offers popular country acts and some of the world's best pitmasters. The fans will be served with ribs, smoked meats, brisket, and more from barbecue pros nationwide. Moreover, some local barbecue vendors are also there, like Lillie's Q, Bub City, and Pearl's Southern Comfort. And you can pair up your favorite meat piece with a cold glass of beer from some top American breweries like Goose Island.

Want a great way to spend your summer weekend in Chicago? There will be no better place than the Windy City Smokeout Festival, as it combines all the amazing eatery options with some legendary acts. Going to Chicago on vacation would be a must-visit summer treat.