Big Blues Bender returns to Las Vegas from September 10 to 13, 2026, once again taking over the Westgate Las Vegas for four days of nonstop blues. The festival blends performance spaces and living spaces into one shared environment, where late-night sets unfold in ballrooms, jams spill into unexpected corners, and artists and fans move through the same halls. Designed as an all-in experience, packages include on-site lodging and full access to performances, creating a communal atmosphere that sets the event apart from traditional festivals.
The newly announced lineup brings together cornerstone figures and contemporary voices across the blues spectrum. Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal headline a roster that also includes Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Booker T. Jones, Tab Benoit, Ruthie Foster, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, alongside a deep supporting cast of veterans, collaborators, and emerging artists. From traditional roots and Southern soul to modern electric blues, gospel-inflected performances, and late-night brass-driven jams, Big Blues Bender continues to present the blues as a shared, living tradition rather than a segmented genre.