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 such as 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, including live music, games and eating contests. Mark your calendar and prepare to spend the season chowing down at these 34 festivals.
The Loop and Near North Side
Chicago Gourmet
The Illinois Restaurant Association’s annual festival kicks off from 7-10 p.m. Sept. 26 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. and then continue the party with bites and cocktails at TAO Chicago from 9 p.m. to midnight. Get dressed up for a fashion magazine-themed grand cru tasting of wine and spirits 7-10 p.m. Sept. 28 and get a last taste of the celebration with brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29. Harris Theater Rooftop at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., chicagogourmet.org
The Great American Lobster Fest
Feast on a whole live East Coast lobster served with corn, potatoes and a drink ($61) or just order a la carte from an array of seafood dishes, snacks and sweets while listening to live music. 1-11 p.m. Aug. 10 and 1-8 p.m. Aug. 11 at Navy Pier Beer Garden, 950 E. Grand Ave.; free, americanlobsterfest.com
Taste of Chicago
Small versions of the annual celebration of Chicago’s diverse culinary scene will be popping up in Rogers Park June 15, Marquette Park July 27 and Pullman Park Aug. 17 before the main event Sept. 6-8. Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Drive; free, TasteofChicago.us
Taste of River North
Downtown restaurants, including Lure Fishbar and Moe’s Cantina, serve up bites at the 20th annual fest that includes a wine tasting, dog parade, live music and a family area. 5-10 p.m. July 19 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 20-21 at 627 N. Wells St.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
Vegandale
Vendors from around the world serve a wide range of vegan fare including pizza, waffles, barbecue and ice cream at a bash featuring interactive art, sampling, and music from Lohrasp Kansara, 2 Chainz and Saweetie. 11 a.m. June 22-23 at Grant Park, Butler Field, 350 E. Monroe St.; tickets are $10-$80, vegandalefest.com/chicago
North Side and Northwest Side
Chicago Craft Beer Festival
Spend two hours getting a taste of some of the city’s many breweries, including Burnt City Brewing, Moody Tongue and Hopewell Brewing Co., at the 11th annual event. 5-10 p.m. July 5, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 6 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 7 at Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood Ave.; tickets are $35-$75, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
Craft Brews at Lincoln Park Zoo
Visit the zoo after hours, where tasting stations will be serving more than 100 craft beers and ciders from 40 breweries. The adults-only party also features live music, food trucks and yard games. 7-10 p.m. June 15 at 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $55, 312-742-2000, lpzoo.org
Flavors of Albany Park
Choose from one of four routes on the 15th annual restaurant crawl to sample dishes from neighborhood spots including Lawrence Fish Market, Rosita’s Tacos & Cocina, Somethin’ Sweet Donuts and Kale My Name. An afterparty from 7-9 p.m. features music from Piraguas Y Piropos. 5-8 p.m. June 26 at Noon O Kabab, 4701 N. Kedzie Ave.; tickets are $40-$45, $13-$18 for kids 12 and under, eventbrite.com
Horner Brew Fest
Spend an evening in the park sipping beer and cider from more than 30 local breweries including Begyle Brewing, Haymarket Brewery and Sketchbook Brewing Co. Grab a snack from the 5411 Empanadas or Fat Shallot food trucks and catch live funk and soul from Bumpus. 6-10 p.m. July 19 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 local restaurants and vote for your favorite at the 11th annual bash, which also features seasonal beers, Mexican wrestlers, live music on two stages and kids activities. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 7-8 at 3500 N. Southport Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
Ravenswood on Tap
The neighborhood’s Malt Row brewing community offers special tappings alongside cocktails from Koval Distillery, live music, food vendors and ax throwing. Noon to 10 p.m. July 20 and noon to 6 p.m. July 21 at Ravenswood and Berteau avenues; $10 suggested donation, 773-975-2088, ravenswoodchicago.org
Ribfest Chicago
The 24th annual barbecue competition adds a bourbon and whiskey tasting, expands its kids area this year and hosts live music on two stages. 5-10 p.m. June 14 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 15-16 at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Burger vendors compete for your vote at the 17th annual fest at Fellger Park, which also features two stages of live music with performers including Mucca Pazza and Hello Weekend. 5-10 p.m. July 19 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 20-21 at Fellger Park, 2000 W. Belmont Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
Summer Wine Fest
Stroll through the Lincoln Park Zoo’s gardens and animal habitats while trying more than 50 varieties of wine from 20 wineries. The annual party also features guided tours with the horticulture team, music from The Prissillas, lawn games and free carousel rides. 7 p.m. July 26 at 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $55-$65, 312-742-2000, lpzoo.org
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
The 40th annual street festival features food, arts and crafts vendors, a tasting of 16 Midwestern whiskeys curated by Delilah’s ($40-$45), wine and spirit tastings ($35), live music and a kids carnival. 3-10 p.m. July 26 and noon to 10 p.m. July 27-28 at 2500 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
Taste of Polonia
Billed as the largest Polish festival in the U.S., the Labor Day weekend celebration features tastings and cooking classes, a craft beer tent, and vendors selling pierogi, potato pancakes, blintzes, paczki and other traditional fare. Tribute bands and DJs perform, and there are carnival rides, games and inflatables for the kids. 5-10:30 p.m. Aug. 30, noon to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, noon to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets are $10, topchicago.org
World Dumpling Festival
More than 10 neighborhood restaurants show off their spin on dumplings at the annual fundraiser for the Chicago Cultural Alliance. Noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Logan Square Park, 3150 W. Logan Blvd.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
West Side and Near West Side
Eeeeeatscon
The Infatuation’s second annual fest gathers more than 20 restaurants from Chicago and beyond including Soul & Smoke, Lilac Tiger and Professor Pizza. There will be discussions with Chance The Rapper, Chrissy Teigen and Common along with live music and dance performances. Noon to 6 p.m. July 13-14 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets are $30, eeeeeatscon.com/chicago
Tacos Y Tamales Festival
The annual celebration for Latin cuisine includes regional fare paired with beer, micheladas and margaritas plus art installations, music and dance performances. 5-10 p.m. July 19, noon to 10 p.m. July 20 and noon to 9 p.m. July 21 at 16th and Peoria Streets; $10 suggested donation, chicagotacofest.com
Taste of Greektown
Feast on Greek fare from neighborhood restaurants at the 34th annual celebration of Mediterranean culture, which also features performances from Greek bands and games. 4-11 p.m. Sept. 6 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 7-8 at 315 S. Halsted St.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com
Taste of Randolph
The Publican, Cruz Blanca, Gaijin and other West Loop spots serve up food and drink at the 27th annual street festival, which also features live music, DJs and kids activities. 5-10 p.m. June 14 and noon to 10 p.m. June 15-16 at Randolph Street between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue; $10 suggested donation, tasteofrandolph.org
Windy City Smokeout
Nearly 30 pitmasters from around the country, including Chicago’s Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Smoque BBQ and Soul & Smoke, show off a wide variety of barbecue styles at the 11th annual festival. You’ll also find plenty of craft beer and performances from top country music stars including Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson and Thomas Rhett. 2-10 p.m. July 11, 2-11 p.m. July 12 and 1-10 p.m. July 13-14 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets are $66, windycitysmokeout.com
South Side & Near South Side
Bantu Fest
Taste food from more than 30 countries including Haiti, Ghana and Brazil at the eighth annual multicultural celebration, which also features fashion shows, drum and dance performances, and kids activities. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 27-28 at Midway Plaisance, 1130 Midway Plaisance; tickets are $20, $10 for kids, bantufest.com
Chicago Food Truck Festival
Grab a meal from one of the city’s top food trucks to enjoy with a margarita and live music at the 11th annual event. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 20-21 at 2300 S. Indiana Ave.; free, chgofoodtruckfest.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. 18 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, celebratehighwood.org/bloody-mary-fest
Festa Italiana
Celebrate the culture of Italy with food vendors, a meatball eating contest, a Tuscan-inspired wine bar, a pasta-making class, live music and kids activities. 5-10 p.m. Aug. 2, noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 3 and noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville; tickets are $10, starevents.com/event/festa-italiana
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. Noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17-18 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. 14 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 a hot taquito-eating contest. The Bob & Shawn Duo plays rock and pop music and there will be other vendors for those who prefer their food mild. 4:30-9:30 p.m. June 26 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, celebratehighwood.org/inferno-fest
Naperville Ale Fest
Local breweries, including Pollyanna Brewing Company, Sketchbook Brewing Co. and Half Acre, offer samples of more than 100 beers while Cheesie’s Pub & Grub, Pierogi Rig and other food trucks sell snacks. 2-6 p.m. July 13 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville; tickets are $60, napervillealefest.com
Oak Park Microbrew Review
More than 70 breweries pour a variety of beers, seltzers, ciders and cocktails at the 17th annual fest, which also features 10 local food vendors and a dozen bands performing over three stages. 2-6 p.m. Aug. 17 at 100 N. Marion St., Oak Park; tickets are $55-$75, eventbrite.com
Tacos and Tequila Festival
Chicago chefs offer 100 varieties of tacos paired with margaritas at this fest. Vendors will also be serving up salsa and queso, and you can vote for your favorite. Entertainment includes lucha libre wrestling, a chihuahua beauty pageant, a car showcase and ‘90s and 2000s hip hop artists such as T.I. and Lil Jon. 3-11 p.m. Sept. 21 at Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva; tickets are $69-$99, tacosandtequilachicago.com
Taste of Highland Park
Try a variety of dishes and drinks from 13 vendors including Curt’s Cafe, La Taquiza Highland Park, Judy’s Pizza and Ravinia Brewing Company while listening to music from Dishwalla and Spin Doctors. 5-10 p.m. June 21-22 at The Lot, 525 Central Ave.; free, enjoyhighlandpark.com/taste-of-hp2024
Taste of Oak Brook
Celebrate Independence Day with food from Oak Brook restaurants, a beer garden from Alter Brewing + Kitchen, music from Sixteen Candles and Modern Day Romeos, and a fireworks show at dusk. 4 p.m. July 3 at Village Sports Core Fields, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, oak-brook.org
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
