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One of the most anticipated country music events of the year, Windy City Smokeout will return 8-12 July, 2026.

The Chicago-based, country extravaganza will set up shop once again in the United Centre Parking Lot for another weekend of good food, good music and memories that will last long after the final set wraps up.

Excitingly, due to the overwhelming demand of the Smokeout brand up in Chicago, festival organizers unveiled the Lone Star edition of the festival earlier this year. Taking up residence in Arlington, Texas from May 2-4, the inaugural edition of 

 featured headlining spots from Jon Pardi, Cody Jinks & Midland.

Here, we'll have all the up-to-date news on line-up announcements, the latest ticket and festival pass details, and any further exciting info and details for 2026. 

For the full lineup and day splits for Windy City Smokeout 2026, see below:


Treaty Oak Revival
Braxton Keith
Sterling Elza


Hootie & The Blowfish
Scotty McCreery
Ghost Hounds
Noeline Hofmann
Karley Scott Collins


Lainey Wilson
Hudson Westbrook
Vincent Mason
Mackenzie Carpenter
Chandler Walters


Jordan Davis
Russell Dickerson
Tyler Hubbard
Blake Whiten
ADHD DJ Set


Blake Shelton
Warren Zeiders
George Birge
Carter Faith
Tyler Nance

Stay tuned for full ticketing and pass information for the 2026 edition of Windy City Smokeout to be announced in the coming months.

When tickets for Windy City Smokeout 2026 are made available, they'll be available to purchase below:

As is always the case with this four day affair, the 2025 lineup was stacked with headline-worthy artists to boot. 

Bailey Zimmerman, Koe Wetzel, Kane Brown, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Bailey Zimmerman, Dylan Gossett, Jon Pardi and Megan Moroney all shared the headlining duties across the weekend. 

Yet, the lower bill had plenty of exciting names, too, including Shane Smith & The Saints, Maggie Antone, Charles Wesley Godwin and Ella Langley, among others.

Check out other country festivals set for 2026

All the latest lineup announcements, set times, date confirmations and ticket details for Windy City Smokeout.

Festival - Windy City Smokeout 2025 - Jon Pardi 1

Windy City Smokeout

Country artist Darius Rucker's music career started off with a very different sound. As the lead singer for the popular '90s rock band Hootie and Blowfish, he released five best-selling albums. 

Post-Hootie, Rucker released an R&B album, 2002's

, before signing to Capitol Nashville six years later and releasing his debut country album 

The first single from the album, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" went to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, making Rucker the first black artist to achieve that accolade since Charley Pride in 1983. He also became the first black artist to win the New Artist Award at the CMAs.

Rucker released his second, third and fourth country albums in quick succession: 2010's 

. In between those, he released the Christmas album 

won the Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance.   

In 2012, Rucker was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. 

came out in 2017. In 2018, Rucker was honored with the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award at the ACM Awards.  

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Darius Rucker on Holler

Darius

Rucker was the lead singer of the popular 90's rock band Hootie & The Blowfish but later found his calling in country music.

Darius Rucker: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

Hailing from Garner, North Carolina, Scotty McCreery first captured public attention in 2011 as the winner of Season 10 of American Idol. Following his victory, he quickly made a space for himself in the music industry with his deep, resonant voice and traditional country style.

, was released in 2011 and spawned first hits like 'I Love You This Big' and 'The Trouble with Girls.' McCreery continued to build out his hit-laden discography with subsequent albums such as 

, which included chart-topping and career-defining hits like 'Five More Minutes,' 'Feelin' It,' 'See You Tonight,' 'This Is It' and more, all while sticking close to the three pillars of love, life and family.

At the turn of the 2020s, McCreery has shown that he's a force to be reckoned with when it comes to crafting classic country hits with one foot firmly planted in mainstream, radio-ready prowess all while securing his position in today's country landscape.

A 2024 Grand Ole Opry inductee, McCreery has undergone a hell of journey, seeing him rise from a burgeoning talent show winner to a respected country music star all in the blink of an eye.

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Scotty McCreery on Holler.

Scotty

A 2024 Grand Ole Opry inductee, McCreery has undergone a hell of journey, seeing him rise from a burgeoning talent show winner to a respected country music star in the blink of an eye.

Scotty McCreery: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

When any starry-eyed country music hopeful packs up their life and moves to Music City, they're often moulded, sculpted and pulled in every which way by label execs in order to build a specific ‘brand’.  

, she's maintained a distinct determination to stay true to her roots. Many artists sing about their down-home upbringing as a marketing device, but for Lainey, it's always been the truth - all she needed was three chords to accompany it. 

She grew up in a camper trailer in rural Baskin, Louisiana, and stormed onto the scene with her reflective 2021 single, ‘Things A Man Oughta Know’. The track earned Lainey a No. 1, a Platinum certification and the award for ACM Song of the Year. Alongside this, Lainey also picked up the ACM New Female Artist of the Year prize. 

It didn't take long for Nashville to warm to Lainey's honeyed drawl and traditionally-minded yet contemporary sound. Billboard named Lainey as their Top New Country Artist of 2021, while CMT championed her as the 2022 Breakout Artist of the Year. 

If 2021 was Lainey's take-off, then 2022 saw Lainey rocketing into country's galaxy of modern-day stars. Two successful collaborations set the ball rolling. Her Cole Swindell assisted single, ‘Never Say Never’, became Lainey's second No. 1 in April 2022, while her dark, ominous HARDY duet, ‘wait in the truck’, sent ripples across Radnor Lake and quickly became one of the most notable tracks of the year.

This laid the foundation for the October 2022 release of 

The project spawned singles such as ‘Heart Like A Truck’ and ‘Live Off’, both of which embody the unpretentious, small-town way of life that continues to inspire so much of Lainey's music. 

Often, Lainey Wilson's sound of choice is fun, playful and swaggering, while at other times, it's beautifully poignant and heartfelt. But whichever sonic playbook she chooses to draw from, one thing's for sure - it's always going to be unmistakably, unashamedly and unwaveringly 

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Lainey Wilson on Holler

Lainey

For Lainey Wilson, her brand is as simple as it is resolute - being her own damn self. 

Lainey Wilson: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

Hailing from Stephenville, Texas, located about an hour southwest of Fort Worth, Hudson Westbrook grew up in a blue-collar community surrounded by livestock. Hard work and authenticity serving as a pillar in his songwriting, he explains, "My experiences growing up there equipped me with the tools to portray a hard-working, honest country lifestyle from someone who has genuinely lived that life."

After teaching himself to play guitar while pursuing an education at Texas Tech, Westbrook began writing songs and honing the beginnings of his craft. Releasing his debut single, 'Take It Slow,' in April 2024, his stars really began to align in August with the release of his first viral hit, '5 to 9.'

Propelling him into the spotlight nearly overnight, the single helped quickly establish Westbrook as one of the most promising young artists in the genre, and by November, he delivered his debut, self-titled EP, which features seven tracks, including 'Pray Your Name,' 'Dopamine' and standout tune, 'House Again.'

After spending the bulk of 2025 as a road warrior on his own headlining shows, as well as support for some of the genre's biggest modern touring titans, Westbrook also teed up his highly-anticipated debut album, 

, in July. Coming in at 17 songs, the album serves as a perfect proper introduction to the Texan crooner as he navigates newfound stardom, first loves and the rollercoaster of his early 20s.

Heralding in this new age of neo-traditional country that blends the classic feel of '90s icons with modern influences, Westbrook draws comparisons to artists like George Strait and Parker McCollum, while also keeping one foot firmly planted in the sleek charms of today's mainstream sound.

Thanks to his authentic storytelling coupled with the dedication to his craft, Westbrook has become one of the fastest rising stars in the next generation of country music and this is only the beginning.

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Hudson Westbrook on Holler.

Hudson

Hudson Westbrook: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

When Jordan Davis emerged onto the scene in 2018 with his pop-leaning, dive-bar-hitting, whiskey-chasing trio of singles, ‘Singles You Up’, ‘Take It From Me’ and ‘Slow Dance in a Parking Lot’, few would have predicted his most iconic hit would ultimately be a stripped-back, traditional country ballad celebrating faith and family.

But ‘Buy Dirt’, the 2021 Luke Bryan-assisted phenomenon, completely redirected Davis’ trajectory. The intricate, wistful ode to the things that matter in life went on to win Jordan Davis his first CMA Award in 2022 for Song of the Year, and its success undoubtedly coloured the Louisiana native’s subsequent 2023 album, 

, ‘Next Thing You Know’, is cut from the same philosophical cloth as ‘Buy Dirt’, but finds Davis flexing his storytelling muscles as he documents the blink-of-an-eye pace at which life changes.

It’s littered with beautifully observed snapshots, none more so than the moment Davis becomes a father (“Cause next thing you know / You're wearin' scrubs and a funny white hat / And the doctor's sayin', "How you doin' there, dad?" / And nobody's ever called you that / And you take the drive home slow”).

Although he’s shifted his focus, from time to time, Jordan Davis still embraces the genre-fusing style that inspired his break-out singles back in 2018, captured by the likes of ‘Almost Maybes’, ‘Lose You’, ‘Need to Not’ and ‘Tucson Too Late’.

Thanks in no small part to the magnitude of ‘Buy Dirt’, Jordan Davis is now one of the most esteemed names in the genre, and he currently stands on the precipice of country music stardom.

However, judging by the lyrics to ‘Buy Dirt’, glistening accolades and illustrious achievements aren’t really the priority for the porch-sittin’, Church-going family-man version of Jordan Davis we know and love today.

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Jordan Davis on Holler

Jordan

The Louisiana native continues to emerge as part-storyteller, part-floor-filler with his unique brand of traditional country infused with contemporary flourishes. 

Jordan Davis: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

When he released his first album in 2017, 

, Russell Dickerson emerged as a keystone between the Hip-Hop-infused, party-centric Bro-Country wave that dominated the early 2010s and the sweet Boyfriend Country sound that followed.

In reality, Russell Dickerson fits into neither category, with his distinctive, high-energy aesthetic drawing inspiration from a multiplicity of genres, with the Tennessee native repeatedly stressing his aversion to being sonically boxed in.

Dickerson has frequently collaborated with his fellow contemporary country hitmakers and songwriting buddies, Thomas Rhett and Tyler Hubbard, with the trio releasing the beautifully intricate and thought-provoking musing on a missionary trip to a men’s prison in Nashville, ‘Death Row’, in 2022.

Across the four full-length projects Dickerson has dropped since his debut, he has amassed five No. 1 singles, including the multi-Platinum ‘Yours’ and ‘Blue Tacoma’, and the Platinum ‘Every Little Thing’ and ‘Love You Like I Used To’.

In November 2023, Russell Dickerson picked up his fifth chart-topper at Country Radio, the charming, rose-tinted ode to his wife, ‘God Gave Me A Girl’, taken from the singer-songwriter’s celebrated 2022 self-titled record.

His most recent No. 1 success was accompanied by the release of 

 EP, which epitomised Dickerson’s ability to continually strike a balance between settled-down father-of-two and beer-chugging rockstar.

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Russell Dickerson on Holler

Russell 

, Russell Dickerson emerged as a keystone between the Hip-Hop-infused, party-centric Bro-Country wave that dominated the early 2010s and the sweet Boyfriend Country sound that followed. 

Russell Dickerson: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

An award-winning country songwriter, Tyler Hubbard has enjoyed quite a successful career that includes a dozen years as the frontman of powerhouse country duo Florida Georgia Line, as well as his own glistening solo career.

Alongside Brian Kelley, the pair first met through a worship group while attending Nashville's Belmont University where their shared passion for music and songwriting drew them together. They self-released their debut EP, 

, in 2010, and by 2012, they'd caught the eyes–and ears–of some of Nashville's biggest decision makers.

Culminating in their debut studio album, 

, the record featured their bonafide breakout hit, 'Cruise,' which became a defining song in the bro-country sub-genre and achieved Diamond certification by the RIAA, as well as 'Round Here,' 'Get Your Shine On' and 'Stay.'

Through FGL, Hubbard & Kelley quickly rose to fame, winning the 2013 ACM awards for New Artist of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year. Continuing over over a decade, the pair were on a crash course of country music success, peppering out one hit album after another and beefing up their discography with standout hits like 'Anything Goes,' 'Sippin' On Fire,' 'May We All,' 'Simple,' ''H.O.L.Y.' and many more.

After a dozen years as one of the leading artists in the format, Florida Georgia Line decided to go on an indefinite hiatus in 2022, leading to Hubbard's pursuit of his solo career. His debut solo EP, 

, spawned the hit single '5 Foot 9,' as well as its infectious title track, leading to his self-titled debut full-length and his highly-anticipated follow-up, 2024's 

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Tyler Hubbard on Holler.

Tyler

Tyler Hubbard: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

Country music star Blake Shelton learned to play the guitar as a young boy and took that talent to Nashville at age 17. He worked in and around the music industry, before eventually landing a record deal in 2001. 

Shelton released his first single 'Austin' that same year. It went to the top spot on 

's Hot Country Songs chart (formerly known as Hot Country Singles & Tracks). 

He released his self-titled debut that year as well, beginning a steady output of LPs that have accumulated to make him one of the most successful male country artists of his time. They include 2003's 

In between those albums, Shelton also released the 2012 Christmas album 

, Shelton accrued 17 consecutive number one country singles. 

Thanks to his impressive catalogue, Shelton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2010. The honor followed a serious number of industry accolades, including CMA, ACM and CMT Awards. Shelton won Male Vocalist of the Year at the CMAs five consecutive years, between 2010 and 2014. 

Since 2011, Shelton has served as a coach on NBC's 

. Thanks to his presence on the musical competition series as well as his music, Shelton made the cover of 

's Sexiest Man Alive issue in 2017. He became the first country music artist to achieve that title. 

Home of all the latest news, information and coverage of Blake Shelton on Holler

Blake

Blake Shelton served as a coach on NBC's The Voice, 2017's People's Sexiest Man Alive and is a legendary country music artist with either Grammy nominations.

Blake Shelton: News, Songs & Reviews | Holler

Windy City Smokeout: Lineup, Set Times, Dates & Tickets | Holler

Lydia Farthing is a Nashville-based music journalist and Nashville native who has spent her life immersed in the music industry.

 Magazine, Provident Music Group and Aristo PR, she's always in search of the best concerts and new music, and is an avid supporter of females in the country format.

Lydia

Contributor - Lydia Farthing 2

Contributor - Lydia Farthing

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A handy, chronological list guide to the country music festivals taking place across the world in 2026.

A handy, chronological list guide to the country music 

 taking place across the world in 2025 and 2026.

Windy City Smokeout

2025 Highlights

Acommodation

Ella Langley's ’Choosin’ Texas’ Earns Record-Extending 10th Week at No. 1 on UK Country Radio Airplay Chart

“I Am So Proud of You”: The Heartwarming Tribute George Jones Gave Kenny Chesney After His Milestone Year

“A Woman Who is Fearless”: Jelly Roll Pays Tribute to His Wife Bunnie XO and Teases Heartfelt New Song, ‘Thorns’

“You are Loved”: Carly Pearce Shares the Inspiration Behind Her Powerful New Song, ‘Church Girl’

Windy City Smokeout 2025

Windy City Smokeout 2024

Windy City Smokeout 2023