ARC After Dark 2026: A guide to the official after-parties across Chicago

Five nights, one Chicago weekend, and a lineup built to keep the dance floor going long after ARC’s main stages go dark.

ARC Music Festival has unveiled the lineup for ARC After Dark 2026, its late-night event series running across five nights of Labor Day weekend in Chicago. The series combines ticketed club shows with select free programming, extending the daytime festival experience well into the night throughout the holiday weekend. Thursday opens the series with a relatively compact bill: Sara Landry, San Pacho, Très Mortimer, Azzecca and Luke Dean set the tone before the weekend’s bigger nights arrive.

Friday is the most genre-diverse night of the run. Drum and bass duo Chase & Status headline alongside house and techno names Meduza, Mau P and Tiga. The night also features a free performance from Tommy Phillips, available to fans who complete a mobile RSVP — one of the only non-ticketed options across the week. Chris Stassy, Max Dean, Pegassi, camoufly, Brunello and 999999999 round out the rest of Friday’s schedule.

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Saturday leans into heavier house and techno, with headline sets from Salute and Cloonee, plus a back-to-back performance from Dubfire. Omar+, Discip, nimino and Detroit Love fill out the evening.

Sunday shifts toward a more melodic, big-room sound, led by major performances from Anyma and Mochakk — two of the week’s biggest draws. Supporting sets come from Walker & Royce, Beltran, Bullet Tooth, X Club., Jamback and Carlita, giving Sunday the feel of a crescendo heading into the holiday itself.

Monday closes out the series on Labor Day with Vintage Culture, Boys Noize, DJ Heartstring, Kloud and Lusid, sending off the long weekend with one final night of dancing.

Tickets for the series are available now through AXS, Dice and Ticketmaster, with pricing and venue details varying by night. Fans hoping to catch free programming, like Tommy Phillips’ Friday set, are encouraged to join ARC’s official mailing list for updates on RSVP windows and any additional announcements before the weekend begins.

Featured image credit: ARC Music Festival

About The Author

Ashley Palya

I’ve been writing, covering events, and doing interviews with Exron for nearly four years, but have been an EDM-lover for over a decade. The music community and industry has a special place in my heart and I love exploring the depths. EDC Las Vegas is my favorite festival and this year will be my sixth time attending. Some other recent festivals I’ve been are Ultra, Elements, Lost Lands, Electric Forest, and Arc. I’ve been getting more into experimental bass, but techno and house will always have my heart. <3

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