Summer Festivals in Chicago

Summer in Chicago ushers in festival season, with each weekend offering celebrations from block parties to grand concerts. The city’s diverse food and drink scene takes the spotlight, with festivals featuring specific foods like tacos and burgers or an array of beers from local breweries. These festivals provide a taste of local restaurants, alongside live music, games, and dog parades. Prepare for a season of culinary delight at these 31 festivals.

The Loop and Near North Side

The Chicago Gourmet event, organized by the Illinois Restaurant Association, begins on Sept. 24, with a taco night featuring cocktails and agave spirits. The next evening is dedicated to burgers, where attendees can vote for their favorites. On Sept. 26, a grand cru tasting of wine and spirits is available, followed by brunch on Sept. 27. The event takes place at the Harris Theater Rooftop in Millennium Park.

At Navy Pier, on Sept. 5-6, The Great American Lobster Fest offers a Maine lobster feast with sides, or diners can opt for lobster bisque, rolls, and barbecue, while enjoying live music and craft vendors.

Grant Park hosts Taste of Chicago from July 8-12. This annual celebration offers five days of music and 84 vendors and food trucks like Seoul Taco and Connie’s Pizza, showcasing Chicago’s culinary diversity.

North Side & Northwest Side

Chicago Italian Beef Fest provides the chance to try variations of the classic sandwich, vote for favorites, enjoy live music, and kids’ activities from July 31 to Aug. 2 at Jefferson Memorial Park.

The Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest offers tacos from local spots paired with tequila tasting and margarita flights while live music plays at Wrightwood Park, June 26 and 28.

Flavors of Albany Park, the annual restaurant crawl, lets attendees sample dishes from over 60 neighborhood spots along four routes on June 24.

Horner BrewFest takes place on July 17 at Horner Park, where over 35 breweries offer beer and cider sampling, accompanied by live funk and soul music.

Experience the Lakeview Taco Fest from Aug. 21-23, with tacos from local restaurants, seasonal beers, live music, Mexican wrestlers, and kids’ activities at Southport Avenue.

Lincoln Park Greek Fest, occurring June 5-7, serves Greek cuisine, hosts folk dance performances, craft fairs, and live music at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Ravenswood on Tap highlights Malt Row’s brewing community with cocktails, special tappings, live music, food vendors, and games on July 18-19.

Ribfest Chicago from June 5-7 hosts a barbecue contest with ribs from various vendors, live music, whiskey tastings, and a kids’ area at Lincoln Avenue.

Roscoe Village Burger Fest engages attendees with burgers, craft vendors, kids’ activities, and live music from July 17-20 at Fellger Park.

Enjoy global wines at the Summer Wine Fest on July 18, while strolling Lincoln Park Zoo’s gardens, with live music and ballroom dance workshops.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue from July 24-26 features food, arts, crafts vendors, spirits tastings, live music, a dog parade, and a kids’ carnival on Lincoln Avenue.

Labor Day weekend presents Taste of Polonia, the largest Polish festival in the U.S., offering traditional and modern Polish food, tribute performances, carnival games, and inflatables for kids at Copernicus Center, Sept. 4-7.

WingOut Chicago at Gallagher Way from Sept. 26-27 showcases various wings, live reggae, soul, and R&B music.

West Side & Near West Side

Taste of Greektown from Aug. 28-30 on Halsted Street offers Greek fare with performances by Greek bands and games.

Taste of Randolph, celebrated from June 19-21, highlights West Loop cuisine and features live music, kids’ activities, and food from local favorites like Gibsons Tavern.

Windy City Smokeout on July 8-12 at United Center exhibits barbecue from renowned pitmasters across the country, alongside performances by famous country artists like Blake Shelton.

South Side & Near South Side

Tacos Y Tamales Festival from July 17-19 showcases Latin American fare, along with beer, margaritas, and live performances at Ashland and Blue Island avenues.

Suburban and Multiple Locations

Bloody Mary Fest at Everts Park on Aug. 17 features mixologists competing to craft extraordinary versions of the classic cocktail.

Blues, Brews and BBQ at The Morton Arboretum on June 20 lets visitors savor beer, mead, cider, barbecue, while enjoying local blues bands.

Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival from Aug. 22-23 presents dishes from local restaurants, food trucks, and artworks by over 150 artists in Evanston.

Garlic Fest at Everts Park on Aug. 12 offers creative uses of garlic in dishes, sweets, and cocktails.

Inferno Fest at Everts Park on June 24 challenges attendees to savor spicy dishes and cocktails in an eating contest, complemented by live music and vendors.

Oak Park Microbrew Review on Aug. 22 highlights more than 40 breweries, local food vendors, and live music, creating a festive atmosphere.

Rosemont Uncorked from June 6-7 at Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District showcases sips from local wineries, paired with live music and food vendors.

At Tacoville on June 5-7 in Naperville, attendees can enjoy tacos and other Latin delicacies, with live music and art vendors.

Taste of Highland Park on June 19-20 features a variety of dishes and performances by bands like All American Throwbacks and Eve 6.

On July 3, celebrate Independence Day at Taste of Oak Brook with local food, music, a beer garden, drone show, and fireworks display at Sports Core Soccer Fields.