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Windy City Smokeout
Chicago's Country Music Festival

July 10, 2025

To July 13, 2025
About

Windy City Smokeout, the nation's premier outdoor country music and BBQ festival, is thrilled to return to Chicago's iconic United Center for the 12th year on July 10-13, 2025, with passes going on sale now at windycitysmokeout.com, October 9, at 10 a.m. The star-studded weekend will feature country music!s biggest names, including Kane Brown, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Bailey Zimmerman and Megan Moroney, along with an impressive roster of up-and-coming talent and over 25 of the best BBQ teams from across the country.

The lineup includes 2024 ACM "Group of the Year” winner Old Dominion, ACM's 2023 "Entertainer of the Year” nominee Kane Brown, ACM's 2023 "New Male Artist of the Year” Bailey Zimmerman, ACM's 2024 "New Female Artist of the Year” Megan Moroney and ACM and CMA award-winning artist Jon Pardi. Each headliner will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. on their respective nights and will be supported by acts throughout the evening.

The 2022 winner of the Academy of Country Music!s (ACM) "Festival of the Year” award, Windy City Smokeout has become synonymous with pairing the biggest names in country music and BBQ. The festival's talent is curated by ACM award-winning promoter and Windy City Smokeout co-founder, Ed Warm.

Guests can round out the experience with a selection of curated events, such as the "Biggest Happy Hour of the Summer” on Friday, July 11 and an epic "BBQ Brunch” on Sunday, July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The bottomless BBQ Brunch will include a variety of dishes from the Windy City Smokeout's Pitmaster Buffet, featuring a special Bacon Bar. Guests can also sip on mimosas and build their own Bloody Marys with all the fixings at the Bloody Mary Bar. A 4-day or Sunday GA, VIP or Platinum pass is required in addition to a BBQ Brunch ticket for entrance.

PARKING

 

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Guarantee your parking for each day of Chicago’s Country Music, BBQ & Beer festival!

Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

DAILY LINEUP

 

THURSDAY Bailey Zimmerman | Koe Wetzel | Shane Smith & The Saints | Bayker Blankenship | Angel White

FRIDAY Old Dominion | Dylan Gossett | Josh Meloy | Lauren Watkins | Maggie Antone

SATURDAY Kane Brown | Megan Moroney | Charles Wesley Godwin | Austin Snell | Kashus Culpepper

SUNDAY Jon Pardi | Riley Green | Ella Langley | Sam Barber | Josh Ross

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Directions & Parking

Directions

1901 W. Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60612

From the

North

Take I-90 East to the Madison Street exit and make a right onto Madison Street. The building will be on your left.

South

Take I-55 North to the Damen exit and make a left, going northbound for approximately 7 minutes. The building will be on your right.

East

Take Madison Street west from the Loop.

West

Take I-290 East to exit 28A (Damen Avenue). Take Damen Avenue north to Madison Street. Make a right onto Madison Street and the building will be on your right.

 

Public Transportation

Public Transportation

CTA

 

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has both bus stops and rail stations right near the United Center. Tap-to-pay with your credit card, Google Wallet, or Apple Pay is also available on all CTA trains and buses. Find the best route for you with CTA's Trip Planner.

Trains

The arena is two blocks south and one block east of the Damen stop on the Green Line, and two blocks south and three blocks west of the Ashland/Lake stop on the Green and Pink Lines.

The arena is also just a few blocks north of the Illinois Medical District stop on the CTA Blue Line.

Buses

Bus routes #9 Ashland, #20 Madison, #50 Damen, and #126 Jackson get you right in front of or within a few blocks of the arena.

Post-event the CTA offers an express bus, the #19 United Center Express, that goes to Union Station, downtown, and Michigan Ave.

Visit the Chicago Transit Authority's website, transitchicago.com for more information.

General Parking

General Parking

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PLEASE NOTE: Parking lots and Uber lot open to public two and a half hours prior to event time.

Purchase parking via Ticketmaster in advance HERE at a discounted rate. Payment for parking on-site available at an increased rate.

All prices are subject to change without advance notice.

All major credit cards accepted.
The United Center offers free parking for select family shows in all official United Center parking lots. All Parking Policies outlined below remain in effect.

For details on accessible parking, please see the United Center Accessibility Guide.

EV Charging Stations
EV Charging Stations are available in Lot H and Lot K. Charging is free. Please be courteous and maintain parking/charging for the posted time limits. 

Parking Policies
No in/out privileges.
No overnight parking unless related to event activites and approved in advance.
No solicitation allowed.
No consumption of alcoholic beverages on lot or in parked vehicles.
No tailgating or similar activities.

Book Parking In Advance

SpotHero

We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation's leading parking reservations app.

To reserve your parking spot, visit the United Center SpotHero Parking Page.

 

Fans visiting the United Center can also reserve their parking in advance via Ticketmaster.

Suites Parking

Suites Parking

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For team events, Licensed Suite Holders receive two reserved parking passes in Lot C or South Adams and two reserved “Alt-Lot” parking passes that are accepted in Lots A, B, D, or MXC. Parking passes are good for one space each. All parking passes are mobile entry only

For all special events, each Licensed Suite Holder will receive access to two complimentary parking passes per event ordered. These two passes will be in Lot C or South Adams. In addition, Executive Suite Holders will also receive the option to purchase four additional parking passes for special events and team events as needed

Suite Holders arriving with buses or limousines should show two of their Suite Parking Passes at the entry to Lot B.

Lexus Club Parking

Lexus Club Parking

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Lexus Club Seat members have reserved parking in either Lot F or Lot C for all Blackhawks or Bulls preseason, regular season and playoff games. Lexus Club members who purchase tickets to other events may also purchase a parking pass for such events through the Account Manager website.  

Rideshare/UberZone

Rideshare/UberZone

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UBER ZONE FAQs:

What is the Uber Zone (Lot E) at the United Center?
To increase and streamline the fan experience for guests who take Uber to and from the United Center, the new Uber Zone is located at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street (Lot E).

What is the location of the Uber Zone?
The new Uber Zone at the United Center is located on the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. Fans will access the zone at Madison Street. Cars will exit on Warren Blvd. 

What are the hours of operation?
On event days, the Uber Zone is open two hours prior to games, concerts and events and will remain open up to one hour after each event. On non-event days, the Uber Zone will be closed and Uber rides will be dropped off near the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street outside of the Uber Zone.

What is the pickup process for fans?

  1. Using the Uber app, fans inside the United Center will call an Uber ride.
  2. Guests will then head to the new Uber Zone located at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street in front of the United Center.
  3. When arriving, fans will show the Uber attendant the lane number their driver is in.
  4. Fans will be shown the location where their Uber vehicle is located to start their next journey.

What is the dropoff process for fans?
When Uber drivers arrive with guests at the United Center, they will be instructed to pull into the Uber Zone from the Madison Street side to drop off fans. Once exiting the vehicle, guests will walk out of the main entrance located on the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. Guests can cross the street to the United Center and are encouraged to enter through the East Atrium.

How does Uber Shuttle work?

  1. Uber Shuttle offers flat fare shared bus rides to fixed locations in Chicago after major events and games at the United Center. 
  2. Fans can request Uber Shuttle rides directly in the Uber app by clicking on the “Services” tab at the bottom of the home screen and selecting “Shuttle”.
  3. After choosing your route and departure time, you can view your shuttle ticket in the app.
  4. At the time of your scheduled departure, show the staff in the Uber tent your ticket and proceed to Lane 7 at the east end of the lot.
  5. Shuttle staff will help you locate the correct vehicle and scan your ticket before you depart for your destination.

 

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