Windy City Smokeout
- Dates
- Jul 8 to 11, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- United Center
- Price
- Not announced
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Nov 10, 2026
Windy City Smokeout returns to United Center, Chicago, IL, Jul 8 to 11, 2027, with Kameron Marlowe, Max McNown, Megan Moroney, plus 5 more. Froligo tracks the confirmed lineup, ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Windy City Smokeout is a four-day country music and barbecue festival held on the United Center campus in Chicago each summer, pairing a bill of chart-topping and rising country acts with a national roster of championship pitmasters. The draw is the combination: attendees graze on ribs, brisket and regional barbecue specialties from vendors flown in from Kansas City, Texas, St. Louis and beyond while catching sets across the day, with beer gardens, line-dancing and themed brunches rounding out the experience. The organizer calls it Chicago's biggest country music and BBQ festival.
How it works
The festival is held in United Center Lot C, 1901 W Madison St, entering at Madison and Wood. Gates run 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 July 2027, and 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July. Entry is by wristband in General Admission, VIP or Platinum, and the Sunday BBQ Brunch needs a 4-Day or Sunday wristband. Re-entry is allowed. Bags must be 10 x 6 x 2 inches or smaller, and chairs, coolers and outside food are not allowed.
Who it suits
Windy City Smokeout suits country fans who also want a barbecue festival, with sets from touring and rising country acts and food from pitmasters across the country. Children 10 and under are free in General Admission with a paying adult, and umbrella strollers are allowed. VIP and Platinum add shaded decks, air-conditioned restrooms and expedited entry. Tables and seating are provided around the grounds, since lawn chairs are not permitted.
Last time around (2025)
The 2025 edition ran July 10-13, transforming the United Center parking lot into a country-and-barbecue hub that press reported drew roughly 20,000-25,000 people a day. The food program featured around 22 barbecue vendors, with critics calling out ribs at Pappy's Smokehouse and offerings from Chicago's Bub City and Smoque among the highlights, and noting that Thursday and Friday brought shorter barbecue lines and lighter crowds. Reviewers described a tightly paced music schedule balanced with shaded beer gardens and line-dancing between sets.
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Listen
Tap an artist to play them right here.
No official playlist linked yet. Find Windy City Smokeout on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
Nearest airport ORD.
How do I get to Windy City Smokeout?
By car
Most people drive to Windy City Smokeout. The nearest major airport is ORD, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
From ORD, take the Blue Line to the Illinois Medical District (IMD) stop, the nearest rail station to the venue, or continue to the Loop and transfer. The festival's own FAQ names IMD Blue Line plus Damen (Green Line) and Ashland & Lake (Green/Pink Line) as the recommended stations, and recommends bus routes #9 Ashland, #20 Madison, #50 Damen, #126 Jackson, with a return-only special event bus #19 United Center Express. Official festival guidance quotes a flat '$5 will get you there and back from anywhere in the city' framing for CTA.
Book / infoFrom MDW, the Orange Line reaches the Loop in ~25-30 min; from there, transfer to the Green or Pink Line toward Ashland/Lake, or use one of the official festival-recommended bus routes above. MDW is the closer of the two Chicago airports for this venue's West Side location on a map-distance basis.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
Official festival FAQ names a dedicated Uber drop-off directly across from the main festival entrance in Lot E, just east of Wood St., a designated pickup zone rather than open curbside, which is common at large fests. Onward to United Center from downtown is a short in-city rideshare hop.
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
Affiliate Flying in? You can book an airport transfer from ORD in advance rather than joining the taxi queue on arrival. Transfer links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. General parking is offered in official United Center Lots D, R, T, and E, purchased upon arrival. The festival's own FAQ says full pricing and opening-time details 'will be announced closer to 2027'. Parking must be purchased through the United Center's own directions/parking channel per the FAQ. Third-party resale and prepay sites such as SpotHero and ParkWhiz also list festival parking passes, but they are not the official channel.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at ORD
On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Windy City Smokeout?
Budget stays 5
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates310 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1 South Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60606
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1616-1628 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 5
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates625 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60607
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates105 North May Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 3
8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates5300 North River Road, Rosemont, 60018, Chicago, IL
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates854 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Typically $350-700 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 2
10300 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates10233 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirbnb & private camping
Chicago is a deep, year-round Airbnb market with thousands of active listings across the West Loop/Near West Side
Search AirbnbNo camping exists at or near the United Center itself (tents are explicitly prohibited festival items, and this is a downtown parking-lot venue). Hipcamp's Chicago-area directory lists regional options well outside the city (e.g. near Channahon State Park, Starved Rock State Park, Indiana Dunes) as a general 'go camping in the wider region before/after the festival' alternative.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near United Center
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
While you're in Chicago
AffiliateA Go City pass bundles Chicago's top attractions into one price, handy if you're making a trip of it rather than coming just for the festival.
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Quick answers
When is Windy City Smokeout 2027?
Jul 8 to 11, 2027
Who is playing Windy City Smokeout 2027?
8 acts are announced; the full lineup is on this page.
Where is Windy City Smokeout held?
United Center, Chicago, IL.