ARC Music Festival

ARC expands to four days at Union Park in 2026, with official 2-10 p.m. hours, 18+ entry, and a lineup anchored by Anyma, Underworld, Michael Bibi, Sara Landry, Honey Dijon, Derrick Carter, and deep Chicago house credibility.

  • Dates: September 4–7, 2026
  • Where: Union Park
  • Neighborhood: West Loop
  • Cost: Ticketed

Lineup

  • Anyma
  • Underworld
  • Michael Bibi
  • Honey Dijon
  • Sara Landry (ETERNALISM)
  • Mochakk
  • Mau P
  • Chase & Status
  • Vintage Culture B2B Damian Lazarus
  • Brutalismus 3000
  • Chris Stussy
  • Joy Orbison B2B Ben UFO
  • Derrick Carter
  • Detroit Love (Carl Craig, Moodymann, Stacey Pullen)
  • The Blessed Madonna B2B Lil' Louis
  • Green Velvet B2B Josh Baker
  • Nicole Moudaber B3B Paco Osuna B3B Dubfire
  • KI/KI
  • Nia Archives B2B X CLUB
  • MEDUZA B2B GENESI
  • I Hate Models
  • Kevin de Vries B2B Chris Avantgarde
  • Walker & Royce B2B VNSSA

Schedule

  1. Sep 4 — Friday: Gates 2pm · First day of the four-day expansion at Union Park; ARC After Dark parties kick off across Chicago venues including Smartbar and Radius
  2. Sep 5 — Saturday: Gates 2pm · Four stages in full operation: Grid, Expansions, Area 909, and the new Midway stage
  3. Sep 6 — Sunday: Gates 2pm · Chicago house music legends and international headliners; ARC After Dark continues overnight
  4. Sep 7 — Monday (Labor Day): Gates 2pm · Festival close; final sets across all four stages; festival runs until 10pm

What to expect

House and techno fest celebrating Chicago as the birthplace of house. EXPANDED to 4 days for 2026 (first time). Four stage environments: returning Grid, Expansions, Area 909, plus debuting The Midway. Confirmed headliners include Anyma (melodic techno), Underworld, Michael Bibi, Chase & Status, Sara Landry, Mau P, Mochakk, plus Chicago natives Honey Dijon and Derrick Carter. Curated B2B sets are an ARC signature — check the official lineup page for 2026 pairings closer to the date.

Tickets

Ticketed 18+ event. Official pass tiers include 4-Day GA, 4-Day Global/VIP, and 4-Day ICON/VIP+. ARC uses Front Gate/Layaway-style sales; digital tickets are emailed shortly before the festival, and VIP/ICON wristbands alone do not grant entry without the ticket QR code. ARC After Dark club events are separate tickets.

Transit

Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St. CTA Green/Pink Line → Ashland (walk a few blocks). Bus 9 or 20. Driving: limited, use ParkWhiz/SpotHero. Bike racks on-site.

Bag policy

Standard fest rules. Cashless event. 18+ only.

Family-friendly

18+. Not appropriate for kids. Skip with the baby.

History

ARC Music Festival was founded in 2021 by Nick Karounos, John Curley, and Stuart Hackley of Auris Presents, debuting at Union Park on Labor Day weekend as a celebration of Chicago's legacy as the birthplace of house music. The festival unites veterans and emerging artists across house and techno, with co-founder Stuart Hackley describing its mission as bringing the music "back here and showcase it here in its birthplace." For 2026 — its sixth annual edition — ARC expands to four days for the first time, adding a new stage called The Midway (a nod to Chicago's historic Midway Plaisance) alongside the returning Grid, Expansions, and Area 909 stages.

Local tips

  1. ARC is not all ages. Bring valid government photo ID and expect hard 18+ enforcement.
  2. Union Park ends at 10 p.m.; the real long weekend continues at ARC After Dark clubs. Budget and sleep accordingly.
  3. Honey Dijon, Derrick Carter, and Green Velvet are the Chicago-rooted names to prioritize if you want the local lineage rather than only the mega-spectacle.
  4. Use Ashland Green/Pink Line. Rideshare around Union Park after close gets expensive and slow.
  5. Do not buy passes from random social comments. Official/Front Gate delivery rules make informal resale riskier than it looks.

Frequently asked questions

Is ARC Music Festival 18+?

Yes. ARC is 18+ and requires a valid government-issued photo ID for entry.

What are the 2026 dates and hours?

Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7, 2026 at Union Park. Official FAQ hours are 2-10 p.m. daily.

Who is on the 2026 lineup?

Confirmed/top-billed names include Anyma, Underworld, Michael Bibi, Sara Landry, Chase & Status, Honey Dijon, Mochakk, Chris Stussy, Derrick Carter, Green Velvet, and Detroit Love with Carl Craig, Moodymann, and Stacey Pullen.

Are ARC After Dark events included?

No. ARC After Dark parties at Chicago clubs are separate ticketed events, even though they are part of the weekend's culture.

What is the best local lens on ARC?

Use ARC for the big Union Park production, then choose after-parties for deeper Chicago club context. The house lineage lives in both.

Official festival information