First-Ever Chicago Festival Will Bring 100+ Black-Owned Businesses to Stadium Green on August 30, Building on More Than $4 Million in Shopper Spend Generated for Black-Owned Businesses Nationwide in 2025
Black on the Block, the nation’s largest touring marketplace for Black-owned businesses, will make its highly anticipated Chicago debut at Stadium Green at Soldier Field on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 1–7 p.m., bringing its signature celebration of Black entrepreneurship, food, music, culture and community to the city for the first time.
“Chicago has one of the richest histories of Black entrepreneurship, culture and community in the country, so bringing Black on the Block here for the first time is incredibly meaningful to us,” said Lanie and Char Edwards, founders of Black on the Block. “Our mission has always been about creating real opportunities for Black-owned businesses to be seen, supported and generate revenue. Working alongside our partners gives us an opportunity to bring that mission to Chicago at an even greater scale and create an economic impact that extends beyond one day.”
For its inaugural Chicago festival, Black on the Block, in partnership with Live Nation Urban, will work alongside the City of Chicago and Mayor’s Office to bring its nationally recognized marketplace to the city, creating an opportunity for meaningful economic impact while providing a major platform for local Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives.
“Chicago is proud to welcome Black on the Block to our city for the first time,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. This festival is a powerful celebration of the talent, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and countless contributions of Black Chicagoans. As my administration continues to invest in and strengthen our small businesses, opportunities like this are essential to helping local entrepreneurs expand their businesses and thrive. We are proud to support platforms that uplift Black-owned businesses and create meaningful opportunities for economic growth across our city.
What began as a local response to the lack of visibility and economic infrastructure for Black-owned businesses in Los Angeles has since grown into a national movement committed to building sustainable opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. Today, Black on the Block is the nation’s largest touring marketplace for Black-owned businesses, expanding into major markets including Houston, Dallas and Washington, D.C., while helping drive more than $4 million in shopper spend to Black-owned businesses nationwide in 2025 alone.
The Chicago debut will bring together 100+ Black-owned businesses from Chicago, transforming Stadium Green into a large-scale marketplace and cultural experience featuring shopping, a curated food court and bars, live DJs and performances, games, activations, giveaways, a kids zone and more.
The Chicago festival will also spotlight local and emerging talent, with sounds by Francesca Eva, Ryan Moses, DJ Ca$h Era, and Eviethecool, alongside performances from SHANØ, Yaya Marceline, Ryan Alexander, and Antoinae. Hosted by Chicago’s own Taylor Bennett.
BLACK ON THE BLOCK: CHICAGO
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Stadium Green at Soldier Field
Address: 1410 Special Olympics Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Kids 12 and under are admitted free.
Tickets, vendor information and additional festival details are available at Black on the Block’s official website: https://www.blackxtheblock.com/
