ARC Music Festival, Chicago’s flagship house and techno event, has unveiled its 2026 lineup while announcing a major expansion to four days. The festival will return over Labor Day Weekend, running from September 4–7, marking the start of a new chapter for the event. Led by Auris Presents, one of the city’s leading forces in festivals and nightlife, ARC has grown into a global meeting point for electronic music’s most influential artists, rising talent, and underground innovators — all set against the backdrop of Chicago, the birthplace of house music.
House music has long stood as Chicago’s gift to the world — a culture built on joy, inclusivity, and community that has become a universal language across continents. ARC Music Festival continues to serve as a living tribute to that legacy, bringing together the past, present, and future of house and techno while honoring the sound and culture that emerged from the city’s underground.
“Every year we face the same challenge: we want to include more artists than the schedule allows. The global community is thriving, and ARC always flies by,” said John Curley, ARC co-founder and lead talent buyer. “Just as we hit our stride, the weekend is over, and we never want the music to stop. By expanding to four days, we can showcase more of the talent we love and create even more unforgettable moments for our community. This marks the beginning of a new era for ARC.”
To launch this expanded edition, ARC has assembled one of its most ambitious lineups to date. Leading the bill are the futuristic soundscapes of Anyma, legendary electronic act Underworld, global house favorite Michael Bibi, Chicago dance icon Honey Dijon, and hard techno powerhouse Sara Landry. Additional highlights include Brazilian standout Mochakk, breakout house sensation Mau P, drum and bass heavyweights Chase & Status, and a special back-to-back performance from Vintage Culture and Damian Lazarus.
The lineup continues with standout acts such as Brutalismus 3000, Chris Stussy, Joy Orbison B2B Ben UFO, and foundational Chicago house pioneer Derrick Carter. A hallmark of ARC’s programming is its focus on rare back-to-back collaborations that bridge generations and styles. This year features standout pairings including Detroit Love — featuring Carl Craig, Moodymann, and Stacey Pullen — as well as The Blessed Madonna B2B Lil’ Louis, Green Velvet B2B Josh Baker, and Tiga B2B Brunello.
The festival also spotlights a strong wave of contemporary house artists shaping today’s club culture, including Cloonee, Beltran, Prospa, Ben Sterling B2B Dennis Cruz, MEDUZA B2B GENESI, and AFTER MIDNIGHT, the collaborative project from Matroda and San Pacho. Other highlights include Walker & Royce B2B VNSSA, veteran Chicago producer Mike Dunn, rising acid house artist Azzecca, bass house talent Odd Mob, and emerging selectors Max Dean B2B Luke Dean and Omar+ B2B Obskür.
Harder sounds will remain a key part of the ARC experience, with techno heavyweights Nicole Moudaber B3B Paco Osuna B3B Dubfire, Nico Moreno, I Hate Models, and 999999999 on the bill. Fans of deeper underground sounds can also look forward to sets from Héctor Oaks B2B Quest, KI/KI, DAX J (Live), and melodic techno pairings like Kevin de Vries B2B Chris Avantgarde and Korolova B2B Kasia.
Continuing its commitment to forward-thinking sounds, ARC will also host artists pushing house and techno into new territory, including Nia Archives B2B X CLUB., DJ Heartstring B2B BAUGRUPPE90, DJ Gigola B2B Skin On Skin, and experimental rave figure MCR-T. Additional performances will come from INVT, Chaos in the CBD, and the high-energy sounds of salute.
The festival will once again feature an immersive four-stage experience. Returning environments include the towering Grid, the tree-lined Expansions, and the gritty warehouse-inspired Area 909. For 2026, ARC introduces a brand-new stage called The Midway, inspired by Chicago’s Midway Plaisance, Midway International Airport, and the architectural legacy of Midway Gardens. Designed to evoke the atmosphere of global travel, the stage celebrates the worldwide reach of house music while grounding the festival firmly in Chicago’s cultural history.
Beyond the festival grounds, ARC After Dark will also expand alongside the main event. The renowned afterparty series will now run five nights from Thursday through Monday, adding a full slate of events on Monday night for the first time. In 2025, ARC After Dark spanned 13 venues, hosted 35 parties, and featured more than 120 artists across the city. Access to ARC After Dark events will remain exclusive to ARC pass holders.
4-Day, 3-Day, and Single Day passes will go on sale Friday, March 13 at 12 PM CT via arcmusicfestival.com.