Chicago’s Windy City Smokeout Unveils Full 2026 Lineup Featuring Treaty Oak Revival, Lainey Wilson, Carter Faith & More

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Chicago’s Windy City Smokeout Unveils Full 2026 Lineup Featuring Treaty Oak Revival, Lainey Wilson, Carter Faith & More

Gearing up for their biggest festival to date.

With two ACM Awards for Festival of the Year and the third-largest market in the country, Chicago’s Windy City Smokeout is undoubtedly one of the premiere country music festivals around today. Booking the likes of Zach Bryan, Willie Nelson, Turnpike Troubadours, Cody Johnson, Charley Crockett, Riley Green, Ella Langley and more over the past decade, the festival has had a knack for catching talent early, oftentimes a few years before they reach superstar status.

As we head into 2026, Windy City Smokeout is going all out for their 14th year. The festival, which is primarily known for their focus on bringing together some of the hottest acts in country music and providing some of the best local and national barbecue spots, decided to switch things up this year. In turn, they added a fifth day to their typical four-day format.

If you recall, along with the announcement of their fifth day, a “special” Wednesday show, Windy City announced their headlining acts back on November 19th that consists of the red-hot Treaty Oak Revival, reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson, Hootie & the Blowfish, Jordan Davis and Blake Shelton, who just scored his 31st career #1 hit with “Stay Country or Die Tryin'” this week.

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This is a festival we’re talking about, however. And though it took a little time, Windy City Smokeout has finally announced their full 2026 lineup this morning.

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Right off the bat, their newly-added Wednesday show is looking like the standout with tradionalist, honkytonker, Braxton Keith, and country-rocker, Sterling Elza, joining Treaty Oak Revival on a condensed night to start the festival.

Other exciting independent/alternate country acts slated to make appearances throughout the weekend include the likes of Noeline Hofmann, Blake Whiten, Tyler Nance and Carter Faith, who scored a massive breakout year in 2025 thanks to the success of her stellar debut album, Cherry Valley.

From a mainstream perspective, you have a couple curveballs being thrown throughout, including the likes of Scotty McCreery, Warren Zeiders, Mackenzie Carpenter, Russell Dickerson and Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line). Additionally, you have some rock-solid young acts such as the fast-rising Hudson Westbrook and Vincent Mason all set to perform.

Windy City Smokeout will take place right outside of the iconic United Center from Wednesday, July 8th to Sunday, July 12th. In addition to the artists listed above, you can expect well over 20 different barbecue vendors throughout the festival as well.

As for passes, general admission for all four days, as well as single day tickets, are still available to purchase with single-day tickets ranging from $85-100 per day. VIP passes, which includes an exclusive elevated viewing deck expedited festival entry, air-conditioned restrooms and a private bar and Platinum passes, which include all-inclusive food & drink, premium viewing areas, exclusive stage pit access, streamlined arrival experience, on-site parking and more, are also still avaliable in both four-day and single-day packages. It should be noted, however, that passes for the newly-added Wednesday show featuring Treaty Oak Revival, Braxton Keith and Sterling Elza must be purchased separately.

As a Chicago native myself, I can confidently say that Windy City Smokeout has never failed to disappoint in all of my years attending the festival. Though you don’t always associate the food being a drawing point to a music festival, if you’re planning on attending, make sure to hit up some of the barbecue vendors that will be serving. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.