Festivals are one of the best parts of summer in Chicago, ranging from blowout concerts to small neighborhood parties. Food and drinks are key to any celebration, but sometimes they’re the real headliners. The city and surrounding suburbs host annual bashes including burger competitions, beer and wine tastings, and celebrations of vegan fare. Enjoy the weather by heading to one of these 30 festivals.
The Loop and Near North Side
The Illinois Restaurant Association’s annual festival kicks off from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 25 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. Chef Stephanie Izard hosts a grand cru tasting of wine and spirits from 2-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Sept. 27. Get a last taste of the celebration with brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. Harris Theater Rooftop at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., chicagogourmet.org
The Great American Lobster Fest
Feast on a whole Maine lobster along with lobster bisque, lobster rolls and barbecue while browsing craft vendors and listening to live music. Aug. 16-17 at Navy Pier Beer Garden, 900 E. Grand Ave., americanlobsterfest.com
Taste of Chicago
Small versions of the annual celebration of Chicago’s diverse culinary scene will be popping up in Marquette Park June 28, Pullman Park July 19 and Albany Park Aug. 9 before the main event on Sept. 5-7. Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Drive; free, chicago.gov
Taste of River North
Downtown restaurants serve up bites at the annual fest that includes wine and spirits tastings, a dog parade, live music and a family area. 5-10 p.m. July 18 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 19 at 627 N. Wells St.; 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/taste-of-river-north
Vegandale
Vendors from around the world serve a wide range of vegan fare, including tacos, waffles, doughnuts and ice cream, at a bash featuring interactive art and music. Noon to 8 p.m. June 21-22 at Grant Park, Butler Field, 350 E. Monroe St.; tickets are $17-$40, vegandalefest.com/chicago
North Side & Northwest Side
Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest
Sample tacos from more than 10 Chicagoland restaurants paired with beer, tequila and margarita flights while listening to live music. 5-10 p.m. June 27 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 28 at Wrightwood Park, 2534 N. Greenview Ave.; tickets are $10, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/chicago-taco-tequila-fest
Craft Brews at the Zoo
Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo after hours, where tasting stations will be serving more than 100 craft beers and ciders from local producers, including Right Bee Cider, Pipeworks Brewing Co. and Revolution Brewing. The adults-only party also features live music from SideStreets, food trucks and yard games. 7-10 p.m. June 28 at 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $57-$67, 312-742-2000, lpzoo.org/event/craft-brews-at-lincoln-park-zoo
Flavors of Albany Park
Choose from one of four routes on the annual restaurant crawl to sample dishes from neighborhood spots. 5-8 p.m. June 25 at North River Commission, 3403 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets are $40, $25 for kids 12 and under, northrivercommission.org/calendar/flavors-of-albany-park
Horner Brew Fest
Spend an evening in the park sipping beer and cider from more than 30 local breweries. Grab a snack from a food truck and catch live funk and soul from Bumpus. 6-10 p.m. July 18 at Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.; tickets are $44-$54, 312-719-1960, hornerfest.org/brewfest
Lakeview Taco Fest
Try a variety of tacos from local restaurants and vote for your favorite at the 12th annual bash, which also features seasonal beers, Mexican wrestlers, live music on two stages and kids activities. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 24 at 3500 N. Southport Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/lakeview-taco-fest
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 19 and noon to 8 p.m. July 20 at Ravenswood and Berteau avenues; $10 suggested donation, 773-975-2088, ravenswoodchicago.org/signature-events/ravenswood-on-tap
Ribfest Chicago
The 25th annual barbecue competition features a bourbon and whiskey tasting, live music on two stages and a kids area. 5-10 p.m. June 6 and noon to 10 p.m. June 7-8 at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/ribfest-chicago
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Burger vendors compete for your vote at the 18th annual fest, which also features two stages of live music with performers including 16 Candles and Hello Weekend. 5-10 p.m. July 18 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 19-20 at Fellger Park, 2000 W. Belmont Ave.; $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 more than 50 varieties of wine from 20 wineries. The annual party also features guided tours with the horticulture team, live music, lawn games and free carousel rides. 7-10 p.m. July 25 at 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $57-$67, 312-742-2000, lpzoo.org/event/summer-wine-fest
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
The 41st annual street festival features food, arts and crafts vendors, a tasting of eight Midwestern whiskeys curated by Delilah’s ($20-$25), live music on two stages, a dog parade and a kids’ carnival. 3-10 p.m. July 25 and noon to 10 p.m. July 26 at 2500 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, tasteoflincolnchicago.com
Taste of Polonia
Billed as the largest Polish festival in the U.S., the Labor Day weekend celebration features tastings, a craft beer tent, and vendors selling pierogi, potato pancakes, blintzes, zapiekanka and other traditional fare. Tribute bands and comedians perform, and there are carnival rides, games and inflatables for the kids. 5-10:30 p.m. Aug. 29, noon to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 30-31 and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at 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 10th annual fest, which also features live reggae, soul and R&B music. 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. Aug. 30 and 1:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 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 35th annual celebration of Mediterranean culture, which also features performances from Greek bands and games. 4-10 p.m. Aug. 22 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23-24 at 315 S. Halsted St.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com/event/taste-of-greektown
Taste of Randolph
After, ROOP, Gaijin and other West Loop spots serve up food and drink at the 28th annual street festival, which also features live music, DJs and kids activities. 5-10 p.m. June 13 and noon to 10 p.m. June 14-15 at Randolph Street between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue; $10-$15 suggested donation, tasteofrandolph.org
Windy City Smokeout
Twenty-two 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 annual festival. You’ll also find cocktails and performances from top country music stars, including Bailey Zimmerman, Kane Brown and Old Dominion. July 10-13 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets are $77-$163, windycitysmokeout.com
South Side & Near South Side
Tacos Y Tamales Festival
The annual celebration of Latin cuisine includes regional fare paired with beer, micheladas and margaritas plus art installations, music and dance performances. 5-9 p.m. July 18 and noon to 9 p.m. July 18-20 on Blue Island Avenue between Wolcott and Ashland avenues; $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 local producers including Casa Humilde Cerveceria, Noon Whistle Brewing and Penrose Brewing while listening to music from Marty “Big Dog” Mercer, Brother John and Windy City Rev Ups. Noon to 3 p.m. June 7 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; tickets are $68-$83, 630-968-0074, mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/blues-brews-bbq
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. 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 at 800 Church St., Evanston; free, amdurproductions.com/evanston-art-and-big-fork-festival
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. 13 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. Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band Wall of Denial performs and there will be other vendors for those who prefer their food mild. 4:30-9:30 p.m. June 25 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, celebratehighwood.org/inferno-fest
Naperville Ale Fest
Local breweries, including Pollyanna Brewing Co., Solemn Oath Brewery and Half Acre, offer samples of more than 100 beers while Cheesie’s Pub & Grub, Pierogi Rig and other food trucks sell snacks. Noon-5 p.m. July 12 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville; tickets are $60, napervillealefest.com
Oak Park Microbrew Review
More than 50 breweries pour a variety of beers, seltzers, ciders and spirits at the 18th annual fest, which also features local food vendors and live music. Noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at 1010 Lake St., Oak Park; tickets are $63-$73, sevengenerationsahead.org/opmbr
Taste of Highland Park
Try a variety of dishes and drinks from more than a dozen vendors, including Cafe Dacha, Pixca, Ordo and Mil Colibris Bakery & Cafe while listening to music from Too Hype Crew and Queen Flash. 5-10 p.m. June 20-21 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 tent, music from Sixteen Candles and DJ Speed, a drone show 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/813/Taste-of-Oak-Brook-2025
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
