Summer in Chicago means festival season, with every weekend bringing celebrations ranging from block parties to giant concerts. The city’s diverse food and beverage offerings get plenty of time to shine, with festivals devoted to specific foods like tacos and burgers or providing the chance to taste beers from dozens of local breweries.
Beyond offering a huge array of options from local restaurants, the festivals also include plenty of other fun in the sun like live music, games and dog parades. Mark your calendar and prepare to spend the season chowing down at these 31 festivals.
The Loop and Near North Side
Chicago Gourmet
The Illinois Restaurant Association’s annual festival kicks off from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 24 with a night of tacos prepared by local chefs paired with cocktails and agave spirits. The next day, diners can feast on burgers and vote for their favorites from 6-9 p.m. A grand cru tasting of wine and spirits runs from 2-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Sept. 26. Get a last taste of the celebration with brunch from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 27.
Sept. 24-26 at Harris Theater Rooftop at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., $115-$255, chicagogourmet.org
The Great American Lobster Fest
Feast on a whole Maine lobster along with corn on the cob, potatoes, melted butter and a drink ($69) or just dine a la carte with lobster bisque, lobster rolls and barbecue while browsing craft vendors and listening to live music.
1-10 p.m. Sept. 5 and 1-8 p.m. Sept. 6 at Navy Pier, 900 E. Grand Ave., americanlobsterfest.com
Taste of Chicago
The annual celebration of Chicago’s diverse culinary scene expands to five days this year, offering live music and 84 vendors and food trucks, including Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Seoul Taco, Connie’s Pizza and Rainbow Cone.
July 8-12 at Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Drive; free, chicago.gov
Taste of River North
Downtown restaurants including Avli, Mercadito and Lure Fishbar serve up bites at the annual fest that includes wine tastings, a dog parade, live music and a family area.
5-10 p.m. July 17 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 18 at 627 N. Wells St.; free, $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/taste-of-river-north
North Side & Northwest Side
Chicago Italian Beef Fest
Try spins on the classic sandwich and vote for your favorite at the inaugural fest, which features live music on two stages and kids activities.
5-10 p.m. July 31, noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 1 and noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 at Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave.; tickets are $10, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/chicago-italian-beef-fest
Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest
Sample tacos from local restaurants, including Taqueria Teotihuacan and Prime Tacos, paired with margarita flights or a tequila tasting while listening to live music.
5-10 p.m. June 26 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 28 at Wrightwood Park, 2555 N. Ashland Ave.; tickets are $15-$18, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/chicago-taco-tequila-fest
Flavors of Albany Park
Choose from one of four routes on the 17th annual restaurant crawl to sample dishes from more than 60 neighborhood spots.
5-8 p.m. June 24 at North River Commission, 3403 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets are $45, $30 for kids 12 and under, northrivercommission.org/flavors
Horner BrewFest
Spend an evening in the park sipping beer and cider from more than 35 local breweries at the 10th annual fest. Grab a snack from a food truck and catch live funk and soul from Bumpus.
6-10 p.m. July 17 at Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.; tickets are $50, 312-719-1960, hornerfest.org/brewfest
Lakeview Taco Fest
Try a variety of tacos from 10 local restaurants and vote for your favorite at the 13th annual bash, which also features seasonal beers, Mexican wrestlers, live music on two stages and kids activities.
4-10 p.m. Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 22 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 23 at 3500 N. Southport Ave.; free, $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/lakeview-taco-fest
Lincoln Park Greek Fest
Get a taste of Greece with shish kebab, souvlaki, spanakopita, baklava and ouzo lemonade at the annual fest, which features live music, folk dance performances and a craft fair.
5-11 p.m. June 5, noon to 11 p.m. June 6 and noon to 10 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield Ave.; free, $10 suggested donation benefits the church, 773-525-1793, lincolnparkgreekfest.com
Ravenswood on Tap
The neighborhood’s Malt Row brewing community offers special tappings alongside cocktails from Koval Distillery, live music, food vendors and games.
Noon to 10 p.m. July 18 and noon to 8 p.m. July 19 at Ravenswood and Berteau avenues; free, $10 suggested donation, 773-975-2088, ravenswoodchicago.org
Ribfest Chicago
Try ribs from 11 vendors and vote for your favorite at the 26th annual barbecue competition, which also features bourbon and whiskey tastings, live music on two stages and a kids’ area.
4-10 p.m. June 5 and noon to 10 p.m. June 6-7 at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave.; free, $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/ribfest-chicago
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Burger vendors compete for your vote at the 19th annual fest, which also features craft vendors, kids activities, and two stages of live music with performers including 16 Candles and Hello Weekend.
5-10 p.m. July 17 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 19-20 at Fellger Park, 2000 W. Belmont Ave.; free, $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/roscoe-village-burger-fest
Summer Wine Fest
Stroll through the Lincoln Park Zoo’s gardens and animal habitats while trying wines from around the world. The annual party also features guided tours with the horticulture team, live music, a ballroom dance workshop and free carousel rides.
7-10 p.m. July 18 at 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $62-$72, 312-742-2000, lpzoo.org/event/summer-wine-fest
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
The 42nd annual street festival features food, arts and crafts vendors, spirits tastings, live music, a dog parade and a kids’ carnival.
4-10 p.m. July 24, noon to 10 p.m. July 25 and noon to 8 p.m. July 26 at 2500 N. Lincoln Ave.; free (tasting tickets are separate), $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/taste-of-lincoln-avenue
Taste of Polonia
Billed as the largest Polish festival in the U.S., the Labor Day weekend celebration offers the chance to try traditional and contemporary Polish food and drinks. Tribute bands and orchestras perform, and there are carnival games and inflatables for the kids.
4:30-10:30 p.m. Sept. 4, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 5-6 and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets are $10-$15, topchicago.org
WingOut Chicago
Try variations on wings from vendors, including Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap and Smoke Daddy, and vote for your favorite at the 11th annual fest, which also features live reggae, soul and R&B music.
1:30-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and 1:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.; tickets are $20, wingoutchicago.com
West Side & Near West Side
Taste of Greektown
Feast on Greek fare from neighborhood restaurants at the 36th annual celebration of Mediterranean culture, which also features performances from Greek bands and games.
4-10 p.m. Aug. 28 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 29-30 at 315 S. Halsted St.; free, $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/taste-of-greektown
Taste of Randolph
Nia, Gibsons Tavern, Carbon and other West Loop spots serve up food and drink at the 29th annual street festival, which also features live music on two stages and kids’ activities.
5-10 p.m. June 19 and noon to 10 p.m. June 20-21 at Randolph Street between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue; free, tasteofrandolph.org
Windy City Smokeout
More than 20 pitmasters from around the country, including Green Street Smoked Meats, Bub City and Soul & Smoke, show off a wide variety of barbecue styles at the annual festival. You’ll also find non-barbecue fare from Pizzeria Portofino and Summer House, cocktails and performances from top country music stars, including Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson and Jordan Davis. Festivities kick off July 8 with a concert from Treaty Oak Revival and food from Steel Belly BBQ and Sanders BBQ Supply Co.
4-10 p.m. July 8, 2-10 p.m. July 9-10 and 1-10 p.m. July 11-12 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets are $85-$100, windycitysmokeout.com
South Side & Near South Side
Tacos Y Tamales Festival
Dozens of vendors serve Latin American fare along with beer, micheladas and margaritas at the annual festival, which also features live music and dance performances.
5-10 p.m. July 17 and noon to 10 p.m. July 18-19 at Ashland and Blue Island avenues; free, $7 suggested donation, chicagotacofest.com
Suburban and multiple locations
Bloody Mary Fest
Try versions of the classic cocktail made with a wide variety of booze and other ingredients as mixologists compete to make the best drink.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, celebratehighwood.org/bloody-mary-fest
Blues, Brews and BBQ
Try beer, mead and cider from 24 producers, including Foxes Den Meadery, Maplewood Brewery and Penrose Brewing, while dining on barbecue from food trucks and listening to music from local blues bands.
Noon to 3 p.m. June 20 at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; tickets are $68-$85, 630-968-0074, mortonarb.org
Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival
Local restaurants and food trucks provide a variety of dishes in downtown Evanston, where you can also browse works from more than 150 artists.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at 800 Church St., Evanston; free, amdurproductions.com
Garlic Fest
Enjoy the taste and smell of garlic in pasta, sandwiches and spreads, as well as more unusual combinations such as cookies, cocktails, ice cream and cupcakes.
4:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, celebratehighwood.org/garlic-fest
Inferno Fest
Test your heat tolerance by trying spicy American, Italian and Mexican dishes, desserts and cocktails, and competing in an eating contest. Los Perros Cubanos performs and there will be other vendors for those who prefer their food mild.
4:30-9 p.m. June 24 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, celebratehighwood.org/inferno-fest
Oak Park Microbrew Review
More than 40 breweries pour a variety of beers, seltzers, ciders and spirits at the 19th annual fest, which also features local food vendors and live music.
2-6 p.m. Aug. 22 at 211 S. Marion St., Oak Park; tickets are $66-$120, sevengenerationsahead.org/opmbr
Rosemont Uncorked
Try sips from 15 local wineries at the fifth annual festival, which also features live music and food vendors.
Noon to 7 p.m. June 6 and noon to 5 p.m. June 7 at Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont; tickets are $48-$74, rosemontuncorked.com
Tacoville
More than 20 local food vendors serve tacos, elotes, churros, quesadillas and other Latin fare at the fest that also features drink and art vendors, DJs and live music.
5-10 p.m. June 5, noon to 10 p.m. June 6 and noon to 8 p.m. June 7 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville; tickets are $10, tacovillefest.com
Taste of Highland Park
Try a variety of dishes and drinks from a dozen vendors, including Cafe Dacha, Lynfred Winery, DeNucci’s and Indus Progressive Indian, while listening to music from All American Throwbacks and Eve 6.
5-10 p.m. June 19 and 3-10 p.m. June 20 at Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.; free, enjoyhighlandpark.com/tasteofhighlandpark
Taste of Oak Brook
Celebrate Independence Day with food from Oak Brook restaurants, a beer garden, music from Sixteen Candles and Whiskey Friends, a drone show and a fireworks show.
2 p.m. July 3 at Sports Core Soccer Fields, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, oak-brook.org
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
