The Chicago Blues Festival
The largest Free Blues festival in the world, the Chicago Blues Festival (est. 1984) features four days of top blues acts performing in Chicago’s Millennium Park, plus a special opening night performance at the historic Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. Throughout the first weekend in june, three stages set up across Millennium Park will welcome more than 35 performances, more than 250 artists celebrating the city’s renowned Blues legacy, and is attended by more than 500,000 blues fans.
King Biscuit Blues Festival
King Biscuit Blues Festival - Helena Arkansas
The name of the festival comes from King Biscuit Time, which was the longest running radio show (see page). "The King Biscuit hour was the thing that really crystallized blues music in this area." (Jim O'Neal, Living Blues magazine)
The festival was started in 1986 under the guidance of the "Main Street Helena" organization, which is part of the "Main Street, USA" program. Its purpose was to revitalize the downtown area of the Mississippi River port city.
Nowadays the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the banks of the Mississippi River in Helena, Arkansas, this iconic festival, held the weekend before Columbus Day each October.
Juke Joint Festival
The annual Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi celebrates America's musical beginnings on front porches and in old juke houses...just the way it used to be.
The festival stages are the front porches and local juke joints like Red's Juke and Ground Zero Blues Club. You'll hear some of the greatest most unique music that's ever crossed your ears...and another thing that makes it great - it's FREE!
The festival started in 2003 and is held in April.
Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival
For 35 years and counting the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival has been rocking and rolling in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi. Name the bluesman and he's probably been here! Recent artists include Big George Brock, Charlie Musselwhite, Super Chikan, North Mississippi Allstars and even Robert Plant's Band of Joy.
This blues festival (August) is set in the heart of downtown so visitors can enjoy the Delta Blues Museum whilst also visiting local Juke Joints.
Mighty Mississippi Music Festival
The Mighty Mississippi Music Festival is the number 1 festival for Mississippi music, great food, a beautiful park setting with camping and a wholly unique style. Taking place the whole weekend in October in Greenville, Mississippi. It is set just feet from the Mississippi River.
The event at Warfield Point Park has two stages: The Highway 61 Blues Stage and the Main Stage. Both with non-stop music.
Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival
In downtown Jackson, Mississippi is a powerfully authentic music festival that combines the best of Southern music. Featuring five stages the Mississippi music festival came in with a bang! Because Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival truly understands how much music the area has inspired you won't just see that blues.
It's in June, it's annual and it's free.
