WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT ANNOUNCES AN AWARD-WINNING ROSTER OF BBQ PITMASTERS FOR JULY 8 – 12, 2026 FESTIVAL OUTSIDE UNITED CENTER
More than 20 pitmasters join the lineup, including newcomers Terry Black’s Barbecue (TX), ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque (VA), and Blake’s Southern Milling (TN)
Windy City Smokeout, the two-time Academy of Country Music’s “Festival of the Year” music and BBQ festival from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, is thrilled to announce its full 2026 pitmaster lineup of more than 20 pitmasters, representing the best in American barbecue from across the country and local to Chicago. Returning for its 13th year outside of the iconic United Center, the festival will feature an all-star roster of nationally-acclaimed names and local favorites from July 8-12.
Making their Smokeout debut is the legendary Terry Black’s Barbecue out of Austin, Texas, a pioneer of “slow and low” Central Texas-style brisket, Richmond’s ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque, featuring a “Texas-rooted, Virginia-smoked” approach, and Tennessee’s Blake’s at Southern Milling, bringing authentic, wood-fired Southern flavors to Chicago.
Guests can enjoy the deep-rooted traditions of Mississippi’s Ubons BBQ, the award-winning ribs of St. Louis’ Pappy’s Smokehouse, and the “Rocky Mountain flair” of Denver’s G-Que BBQ. The lineup also features James Beard-recognized Little Miss BBQ (Phoenix, AZ), and local Chicago favorites like Lexington Betty Smokehouse and Smoque BBQ.
2026 Pitmaster Lineup
● Bub City (Chicago, IL)
● Blake’s Southern Milling (Martin, TN)
● Chef Art Smith’s Reunion (Chicago, IL)
● Dayne’s Craft BBQ (Aledo, TX)
● G-Que BBQ (Westminister, CO)
● Green Street Smoked Meats (Chicago, IL)
● Hogapaolooza (Wynne, AR)
● Hoodoo Brown BBQ (Ridgefield, CT)
● Hurtado Barbecue (Arlington, TX)
● Lexington Betty Smokehouse (Chicago, IL)
● Little Miss BBQ (Phoenix, AZ)
● Meat Mitch Barbecue (Leawood, KS)
● Operation BBQ Relief (Peculiar, MO)
● Panther City BBQ (Fort Worth, TX)
● Pappy’s Smokehouse (St. Louis, MO)
● Smoque BBQ (Chicago, IL)
● Soul & Smoke (Evanston, IL)
● Sugarfire Smoke House (St. Louis, MO)
● Terry Black’s Barbecue (Austin, TX)
● Ubons BBQ (Yazoo City, MS)
● Wright’s Barbecue (Johnson, AR)
● ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque (Richmond, VA)
The festivities kick off on Wednesday, July 8, with a special pre-Smokeout concert featuring headliner Treaty Oak Revival. Before the full roster of pitmasters debuts on Thursday, fans can get a preview of the weekend’s flavors from Bub City and festival newcomer Terry Black’s Barbecue, along with exclusive Wednesday night guest appearances by Steel Belly BBQ (Algoma, WI) and Sanders BBQ Supply Co. (Chicago, IL). Other “beyond BBQ” favorites available for the evening include Pizzeria Portofino, Summer House, Chipperbec Fries, Roadside Eats, and Bub City Burgers.
The festival’s Thursday-Sunday schedule will welcome headliners Hootie & The Blowfish, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis, and Blake Shelton, along with more than 15 of country music’s hottest rising stars. The full 2026 Windy City Smokeout music lineup, including single-day schedules, can be found at www.windycitysmokeout.com.
Windy City Smokeout passes and Wednesday night general admission and VIP are available to purchase at www.windycitysmokeout.com at the following rates (tax not included):
● 4-Day General Admission: $299
● 4-Day General Admission, plus BBQ Brunch: $321
● Wednesday General Admission: $69
● Wednesday VIP Admission: $225
Windy City Smokeout will take place Wednesday, July 8 from 4-10 p.m.; Thursday, July 9 from 2-10 p.m.; Friday, July 10 from 2-10 p.m.; Saturday, July 11 from 1-10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 12 from 1-10 p.m.
For more information, to sign up for the newsletter, or join the mobile club visit the Windy CitySmokeout website. Be sure to follow along on Instagram at @WindyCitySmokeout and TikTok at @WindyCitySmokeout.
