The Taste of Chicago, locally known as The Taste, is considered to be the world's largest food festival with its bright non-food-related events, including karaoke, pavilions, and live music on multiple stages. Previously held in the summer, now the event takes place in September with several pop-ups unfolding in the summer months. The Taste of Chicago Festival is one of the best ways to kick off fall with a hearty meal and a great company of like-minded people.
Festival Program
The event is held for three days on the stunning lakefront of Grant Park and showcases a motley of Chicago's dining community. The main attraction is of course, the delicious array of food, consisting of classic local dishes and specialty cuisine. However, there's a lot more to the festival, including groovy live music and exciting family activities to go along with it. A family-friendly zone welcomes parents with their children to explore numerous games and bounce houses. Singing enthusiasts, both amateur and professional, can show off their skills at a karaoke showcase. Carnival rides such as Jump to Be Fit and a Ferris wheel are also available during the fest.
Food & Beverages
With such an impressive selection of food, visitors never leave hungry. Starting with diverse cultural cuisines, such as Indian, Thai, or Italian, the menu has something to everyone's taste. You'll have a chance to taste delicious tacos, tamales, ribs, churros, and iconic Chicago dishes, like Italian beef sandwiches, deep-dish pizza, rainbow cones, and hot dogs. Beer Hall & Wine Gardens offer attendees over 20 beer varieties and wines, while the Cocktail Lounge serves delectable cocktails.
Music Lineup
The Taste of Chicago has always been known for its musical performances varying from local to nationally known artists like Robert Plant, Moby, Kenny Rogers or Carlos Santana. The venue features several stages, including the Main Stage, Goose Island Stage, and Chicago Summerdance Stage. Previous lineups featured Selah Say, Meagan McNeal, White Mystery, Lupita Infante with Mariachi Sirenas, and Proyecto Uno.
Admission & Schedule
Admission to the festival is free, just in case you want to check it out and build up your appetite. Vendors accept both credit cards and cash payments. The festivities are normally scheduled to span from 11 am until 9 pm.
Summer Pop-Ups
Prior to the main Taste of Chicago event, there are several smaller events taking place in various venues across the Windy City. All of them are scheduled during the summer and are a great way to explore the area, if you're a first-time visitor. On June 15th, swing by the Touhy Park for some delicious delights, and on July 27th, the festivities move to the Marquette Park. The final summer pop-up takes place on August 17th at Pullman Park. The hours for each event are the same: from 12 pm until 8 pm.
