Summer Smash 2025: Lineup, Dates & What to Know

By: GroovNuke 

Flyer Credits: Lyrical Lemonade

​Summer Smash, the largest independent music festival in the Midwest, is back for its 2025 edition.

Hosted by Lyrical Lemonade and SPKRBX, the three-day event returns to SeatGeek Stadium from June 20–22, welcoming tens of thousands of fans for a weekend of high-energy performances, cultural moments, and surprise collaborations.

After the groundbreaking return of Chief Keef to Chicago last year, they bring another heavyweight lineup that continues to solidify its place as one of the most influential rap-focused festivals in the country. 

Headliners at Summer Smash

This year’s headliners offer a blend of genre-defining voices and innovative performers:

• Don Toliver x Yeat will co-headline Friday night, merging Don’s melodic Houston energy with Yeat’s futuristic, rage-ready sound.
• Future, a certified pioneer of the trap genre, will take over Saturday night.
• Young Thug is set to close out the weekend on Sunday night—marking his first live performance in nearly three years.
• Chance The Rapper will deliver a special set in his hometown of Chicago, likely weaving together fan favorites with newer material.

Future at Summer Smash 2023 (@GroovNuke)

Beyond the headliners, Summer Smash continues its tradition of mixing prestige names with rising stars and viral newcomers. This year’s lineup includes:
Trippie Redd, Ski Mask The Slump God, Young Nudy, Saba, Sexyy Red, Soulja Boy, G Herbo, Lil Yachty, Quavo, Sahbabii, BabyTron, and many more.
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Additionally, underground staples and fast-rising artists like Lil Tecca, Chuckyy, BabyChiefDoIt, and TiaCorine help round out the bill.

Festivalgoers can also expect high-energy DJ sets from F1LTHY, Zack Bia, and others along with back-to-back performances and the potential for guest appearances.

Summer Smash has a strong reputation for surprising, unforgettable moments.

Lil Yachty at Summer Smash 2024 (@GroovNuke)

Since its inception, Summer Smash has earned a name for itself beyond just its stacked lineup. It’s a celebration of youth culture,  vast variety of music genres, and the DIY energy that platforms like Lyrical Lemonade were built on. The crowd skews young, creative, and tapped into both the mainstream and underground rap scenes.

Unlike other large-scale festivals, Summer Smash stays true to its roots, giving shine to regional talent, maintaining a strong Chicago presence, and elevating the festival experience with creative stage designs and visual art curated by Cole Bennett and the Lyrical team.

Whether you’re pulling up for the music, networking, attractions, or to catch the next breakout star before they blow up, this year’s event is shaping up to be another can't-miss chapter in the fest’s growing legacy.

Festival Info
Dates: June 20–22, 2025
Location: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL
Tickets: Available now at thesummersmash.com

Concertgoers at Summer Smash (@GroovNuke)

Review our previous Summer Smash recaps for insight on our on-ground coverage of performances from Douglass Park to SeatGeek Stadium. 

Summer Smash 2021 .
​Summer Smash 2022.
​Summer Smash 2023.
Summer Smash 2024.