The 2009 festival line-up features more than 70 events at 21 venues. Many events are family friendly and 38 events are admission free. Events include 6 live radio broadcasts and a mix of free and ticketed concerts presented in museums, parks, cultural centers, plazas, theaters, clubs and other venues throughout Chicago.

The 2009 festival features more than 65 artists representing 39 countries including Armenia, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, England, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Niger, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, USA, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

World Music Festival: Chicago 2009 is organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Events are presented at the Chicago Cultural Center, in Millennium Park, and at various performance spaces around the city. See separate venue list for full details.