World Music Festival Chicago, Global Peace Party

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are proud to announce the music lineup for World Music Festival Chicago, taking place September 20 — 29. Featuring 10 consecutive days of live, global music, World Music Festival Chicago returns with 31 artists representing 16 countries and regions, including seven local music groups.

Now in its 24th year of programming, World Music Festival Chicago will include performances in 11 indoor and outdoor venues across the city. Throughout the 10-day festival, globally curious music enthusiasts can experience the sounds of a wide variety of musical genres from diverse geographical regions including Colombia, Italy, Pakistan, Sweden and more.

Kicking off the festival, Ragamala at the Chicago Cultural Center is the largest all-night presentation of live Indian classical music in the United States. Returning for its 12th year as part of the festival, Ragamala gives guests the rare opportunity to hear the ragas (traditional scales or modes) during the early morning and late-night hours as they were meant to be played. The Ragamala celebration takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center from September 20 at 6 p.m. through September 21 at 8 a.m. Ragamala is presented by DCASE in collaboration with the South Asia Institute (SAI) and South Asian Classical Music Society (SACMS). Ahead of Ragamala, the Chicago Cultural Center will host a special open house from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring a variety of interactive art, music and more throughout the day.

New this year, a Global Peace Party will take place at Navy Pier, capping off the festival with a full day of music from Chicago, and Cuba.

For more information and festival updates, visit WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org and follow the festival on Facebook and X (@WMFChicago) as well as Instagram (@ChicagoDCASE). #WorldMusicFestivalChicago.