For the fifth consecutive year, the ARC Music Festival is returning to its roots in the birthplace of house music—Chicago. Set to take over Union Park from August 29 to 31, ARC 2025 promises to be its most diverse and ambitious edition yet, bringing together 93 world-renowned performers from across the electronic music spectrum.
Festival organizers have dubbed this year’s lineup “the most sonically diverse and ambitious curation yet,” featuring an all-star blend of legendary pioneers, forward-thinking tastemakers, and once-in-a-lifetime back-to-back sets that reflect ARC’s spirit of innovation and celebration.
Over the past half-decade, ARC has evolved from a newcomer to a cornerstone of the global electronic music scene. With Chicago as its heartbeat, the festival has become a key gathering point for house and techno royalty, rising stars, and underground icons alike.
A Festival Built on Moments
ARC’s legacy is built on unforgettable performances. The inaugural edition saw Eric Prydz deliver a historic triple-header as himself, Pryda, and Cirez D. In 2024, Carl Cox and Green Velvet shook the foundations of the Expansions Stage with a seismic B2B set, while Hiroko Yamamura’s closing performance in 2023 at Area 909 transported festivalgoers deep into the global underground.
These moments, and many more, have turned ARC into more than just a music festival—it’s a living, breathing archive of the past, present, and future of house and techno.
A Lineup That Pays Tribute and Pushes Boundaries
This year’s lineup is both a homage to the genre’s roots and a bold leap into its future. Expect heavy-hitters like Richie Hawtin, Jamie xx, Honey Dijon, FISHER, and Adam Beyer alongside genre-blending innovators such as HiTech, Effy, and Supergloss.
Techno fans will be drawn to sets by Nicole Moudaber, Eli Brown, and Alignment, while lovers of Chicago and Detroit’s deep-rooted styles will celebrate appearances from DJ Sneak B2B DJ Heather, Floorplan (the father-daughter duo of Robert and Lyric Hood), and HiTech’s dynamic mix of juke, footwork, and techno.
Four Stages, Infinite Vibes
- The Grid: An industrial spectacle that embodies raw power and high production.
- elrow: A psychedelic, interactive stage curated by Spain’s famed party brand, bringing flamboyant theatrics and immersive visuals.
- Expansions: A haven for deeper, emotive house and techno sounds.
- Area 909: A tribute to the genre’s roots, delivering high-energy performances in a gritty, underground atmosphere.
ARC After Dark: The Party Doesn’t Stop
As the sun sets on Union Park, the music continues with ARC After Dark, an exclusive five-night afterparty series spanning Thursday through Monday. Beginning with a PRYDA-headlined opening party on August 28, ARC After Dark transforms Chicago into a citywide celebration of electronic music, hosting over 30 parties across 13 venues in 2024.
These intimate late-night events feature surprise sets, artist aliases, and epic B2Bs that extend the festival’s magic well into the early hours—available only to ARC festival pass holders.
