City of Chicago Unveils 2025 World Music Festival Chicago Lineup Celebrating Global Music Community

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The 10-Day Long Festival Features Musical Artists from 15 Countries and Regions Showcasing Traditional, Contemporary and Modern Music Styles

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today the music lineup for the 2025 World Music Festival Chicago, taking place Friday, Sept. 26 through Saturday, Oct. 5. The festival recognizes the contributions and artistry of musicians from around the world, hailing from 15 countries and regions.

"Chicago has always created and celebrated diverse and inspiring music," said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. "Through music, we will continue to unite Chicagoans and visitors from all around the world. This festival grants us the opportunity to introduce audiences to new cultures and demonstrate music's influence on humanity."

From the Chicago Cultural Center to Navy Pier, the 25th World Music Festival Chicago will activate 12 citywide venues to celebrate diverse heritages through music, including a sunset to sunrise Ragamala event. Throughout the 10-day festival, musical genres from geographical regions including Colombia, Vietnam, Egypt, Bosnia and more will be presented for free to the public.

As a kickoff to the festival, the country's largest all-night presentation of live Indian classical music, Ragamala at the Chicago Cultural Center, returns for its 13th year. Ragamala gives guests the rare opportunity to hear the ragas (traditional scales or modes) during the early morning and late-night hours as the instruments were meant to be played. The Ragamala celebration takes place throughout the Chicago Cultural Center from Friday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. through Saturday, Sept. 27 at 8 a.m.

A Global Peace Party at Navy Pier celebrates global peace with performances from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, closing out the festival.

Full schedule below and online at WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org.

2025 World Music Festival Chicago Schedule
Friday, Sept. 26 - Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall
78 E. Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
6 p.m. - 8 a.m., FREE

Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in collaboration with People of Rhythm Productions, South Asian Classical Music Society of Chicago, South Asia Institute, and Gandharva Mahavidyalaya North America ​

6-7:15 p.m. (Hindustani)
Shahid Parvez, sitar; Amit Kavthekar, tabla

7:45-9 p.m. (Carnatic)
Charumathi Raghuraman, violin; Anantha R. Krishnan, Mridangam; Giridhar Udupa, Ghatam

9:30-10:45 p.m. (Hindustani)
Yogesh Samsi, tabla solo; Pratyush Goberdhan, sarangi (Tribute to Zakir Hussain)

11:15 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. (Carnatic)
U. Rajesh, mandolin; Swaminathan Selvaganesh, kanjira

1-2:15 a.m. (Hindustani)
Rakesh Chaurasia, bansuri flute; Amit Kavthekar, tabla

2:45-4 a.m. (Carnatic)
Mahadevan Sankaranarayanan, vocal; V.S. Gokul, violin; Sai Raghavan, mridangam

4:30-6 a.m. (Carnatic)
Flute J. A. Jayant, bansuri flute; K.V. Prasad, mridangam; Praveen Narayan, tabla

6:30-8 a.m. (Hindustani)
Rachna Bodas, vocal; Nitin Mitta, table; Praneet Marathe, harmonium

Saturday, Sept. 27
IndigiFest: Celebrating Indigenous Culture at Jackson Park
In partnership with Night Out In The Parks and the American Indian Center
Jackson (Andrew) Park
Grove B at Science Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
All ages

Yeison Landero (Colombia)
Funkeria (Brazil/Chicago)
Martyrs'
3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show
21+

Sunday, Sept. 28
Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ & Blood Moon Orchestra (Vietnam/California)
Symbio (Sweden)
Sleeping Village
3734 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
1 p.m. doors, 2 p.m. show
21+

Monday, Sept. 29
Zar Electrik (North Africa/France)
Do The Needful (South Asia/Chicago)
Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show
21+

Tuesday, Sept. 30
Damir Imamovic (Bosnia)
Wanees Zarour Trio (Middle East/Chicago)
Constellation
3111 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show
18+

Wednesday, Oct. 1
Nidia Góngora (Colombia)
Bomberxs D'Cora (Puerto Rico/Chicago)
Old Town School of Folk Music, Mauer Hall
4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
6:30 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show
All Ages

Thursday, Oct. 2
Alioune Guissé (Sénégal/USA)
Abdoulaye Conde (Chicago)
The Promontory
5311 S. Lake Park Ave. W
Chicago, IL 60615
6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show
All Ages

Friday, Oct. 3
Alex E. Chávez "Sonorous Present" (Mexico/Chicago)
Olin (Chicago)
The Rhapsody Theater
1328 W. Morse Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show
All Ages

Saturday, Oct. 4
Mohamed Abozekry Sextet (Egypt)
Diwan al-Han (Middle East/Chicago)
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655
1:30 p.m. doors, 2 p.m. show vAll Ages

Loboko (DR Congo/New York)
Ode (Bosnia/Chicago)
Chop Shop + 1st Ward Events
2033 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show
21+

Sunday, Oct. 5
Global Peace Party at Navy Pier
Hosted by Sonal Aggarwal
2-3 p.m.: The Harmony of Korean Music (South Korea/Chicago)
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Joaquin Garcia II's "Eddie Palmieri Vive" Ensemble (Latin American/Chicago)
5-6:15 p.m.: Rogê (Brazil)
6:45-8 p.m.: Buyepongo (Latin American/California)

Navy Pier Beer Garden
600 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
2-8 p.m.
All Ages

World Music Festival Chicago programming is generously supported by the following sponsors: Chicago Transit Authority and Millennium Garages.

For more information, please visit WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org and Chicago.gov/DCASE.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

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