Bailey Zimmerman performed for his home crowd to kick off night one of the Windy City Smokeout 2025 (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).
Windy City Smokeout 2025 opened with a bang, and a boom of thunder, as Day 1 of the beloved country and BBQ festival brought music, chaos, and a whole lot of rain to the United Center parking lot. What began as a hot and humid Thursday quickly turned into a weather rollercoaster, but that didn’t stop Illinois native Bailey Zimmerman from closing out the night with a powerful, high-energy set that felt like a homecoming celebration.
Earlier in the evening, Koe Wetzel took the stage for a shortened performance. Originally scheduled to play for over an hour, Koe cut his set short after a little more than 30 minutes. Fans could tell something was off, his trademark grit was there, but he was clearly battling vocal issues, often stepping back from the mic between songs. Despite the abbreviated set, Wetzel powered through with crowd favorites.
Just before 7 p.m., the sky opened up and festival organizers made the difficult call to evacuate the grounds due to lightning in the area. For two hours, fans huddled under shelter or headed back to their cars, unsure whether the night’s headlining performance would still go on. But just after 9 p.m., the all-clear was given, and Bailey Zimmerman took the stage, greeted by a roar of cheers from a soaked but thrilled audience.
Zimmerman, who proudly hails from Illinois, didn’t let the rain or delay slow him down. He came out with unmatched energy, making up for lost time with an explosive set that kept fans singing and dancing late into the night. His gratitude for the crowd’s patience and passion was evident, turning the set into something that felt more like a celebration than just a concert.
Day 1 may not have gone exactly as planned, but thanks to Bailey Zimmerman, it still ended on a high note.
Scroll down to check out some of our favorite photos from Day 1 of Windy City Smokeout 2025 (Photos by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).
Get ready, Chicago! The Windy City Smokeout, Chictown’s signature country‑music and BBQ extravaganza, is back July 10–13, 2025 at the United Center. This marks its 12th edition, and it’s shaping up to be the most mouthwatering yet.
Music Highlights
Thursday, July 10 Headlined by ACM’s 2023 New Male Artist of the Year Bailey Zimmerman, supported by the gritty country‑rock of Koe Wetzel, Shane Smith & The Saints, Bayker Blankenship, and powerhouse newcomer Angel White.
Friday, July 11 Experience Old Dominion (ACM Group of the Year 2024) and breakout star Dylan Gossett, alongside talented rising acts Josh Meloy, Lauren Watkins, and Maggie Antone.
Saturday, July 12 The weekend reaches full throttle with Kane Brown and ACM’s 2024 New Female Artist of the Year Megan Moroney, plus Charles Wesley Godwin, Austin Snell, and Kashus Culpepper rounding out the day.
Sunday, July 13 Closing night features country star Jon Pardi and Riley Green, plus exciting newer names like Ella Langley, Sam Barber, and Josh Ross.
With over 20 artists across all four days, this year’s bill blends superstar headliners with aspiring and independent voices in country, Americana, and folk-influenced country.
BBQ + Beer = Chicago’s Tastiest Tradition
This festival isn’t just about music, it’s a curated feast of top-tier BBQ and craft beer. Over 20 celebrated pitmasters will bring regional BBQ firepower from across the U.S., including Chicago legends and national favorites:
Chicago stalwarts: Bub City, Smoque BBQ, Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, Green Street Smoked Meats, and Soul & Smoke
Regional stars: Little Miss BBQ (Phoenix, AZ), Hoodoo Brown BBQ (Connecticut), Heritage Barbecue (California), Pappy’s Smokehouse (St. Louis), Dayne’s Craft BBQ (Texas), Wright’s Barbecue (Arkansas), and more.
Expect bold, regional styles and a pitmaster buffet experience that pairs perfectly with live tunes. Note: food is available for purchase separately from wristband access.
Ticket Options & Events
Choose from 4‑day or single‑day General Admission, VIP, or Platinum wristbands.
General Admission grants access to all live music stages, BBQ vendors, and cashless concessions.
Platinum Experience includes premium amenities: golf cart transport, reserved parking, chef‑curated food & drinks, exclusive viewing zones, and concierge service.
Special-ticket events include the Friday “Biggest Happy Hour of the Summer” and the bottomless Sunday BBQ Brunch, open to 4‑day or Sunday pass holders. Brunch features live acoustic sets, mimosas, build-your‑own Bloody Marys, and buffet‑style BBQ favorites.
Why Windy City Smokeout Stands Out
This festival is one of Chicago’s only dedicated country‑music weekends downtown, blending big names and local talent across four days.
Its location at the United Center parking lot offers urban energy combined with the intimacy of an open‑air BBQ festival.
Curated by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants and festival promoter Ed Warm, Smokeout consistently marries top-tier music with top-tier pitmasters, earning its status as one of the premier country + BBQ events in the country.
MORE INFO
Getting here: United Center is at 1901 W Madison St, easily reachable via public transit or ride share.
Stay nearby: Hotels in Near West Side and West Loop offer great proximity; consider booking early due to high demand.
Windy City Smokeout 2025 delivers a perfect midsummer mix: rising and established country stars, mouthwatering BBQ with a national and local flair, and Chicago’s festival energy right downtown.
Whether you’re chasing country classics or chasing burnt ends, this four‑day event promises something to savor for every country‑music and BBQ lover in Windy City.
Keep an eye on windycitysmokeout.com and the festival’s social channels for updates and more info.
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