Chicago Food Festivals You Won't Want to Miss

Chicago is home to lots of street fests during the summer. But it’s a food town all year long. Here are the upcoming festivals that combine our party spirit with our foodie sensibilities.

Mark your calendars 📆

Food Truck Festivities

The Chi Food Truck Fest is back for its 10th season at Daley Plaza — every Friday through Oct 3. Trucks post up near the Picasso from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Perfect for the downtown crowd who wants a break from Sweetgreen. Vendors vary week to week, but you can follow the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection for updates.

Meanwhile, Chicago Food Truck Festival — not to be confused with Chi Food Truck Fest — will take place June 26–27 at 2300 S. Indiana Ave. This year, the fest is partnering with the Chicago Margarita Festival for drink pairings and also promises to celebrate the legacy of the Chicago-style hot dog … so I will probably see you there.

Around the World (and Chicago)

• 🧆 Flavors of Albany Park | June 25
  • I recommend the Lawrence East branch of this restaurant crawl — you’ll hit delicious Kabobi as well as Nighthawk, one of the city’s most underrated watering holes.
• 🍺 Taste of River North | July 18–19
• 🇲🇽 Tacos y Tamales | July 18–20 | Pilsen
• 🍺 Taste of Lincoln Avenue | July 25–26
• 🇮🇹 Little Italy Festa | Aug. 14–17
• 🍽️ Taste of Black Chicago | Aug. 16 | Grand Crossing
  • This South Side food fest is organized by state Sen. Willie Preston.
• 🍕 Pizza City Fest | Aug. 22-24 | River North
• 🇲🇽 Lakeview Taco Fest | Aug. 22–24
• 🇬🇷 Taste of Greektown | Aug. 24–26
• 🇵🇱 Taste of Polonia | Aug. 29–Sept. 1 | Jefferson Park

Festivals With Unique Bites

• 🇨🇳 Chinatown Summer Fair | July 26–27
  • This neighborhood fest will offer lots of Chinese samplings.
• 🇯🇵 Ginza Holiday | Aug. 8–10 | Old Town
  • The full spread is TBD, but charcoal-grilled chicken Teriyaki and Udon noodles are guaranteed.
• 🇬🇷 Edgewater Greek Fest | July 12–13
  • Get the loukomades!

Meaty Eats

• 🍗 Windy City Smokeout | July 10–13 | United Center
• 🍔 Roscoe Village Burger Fest | July 18–20
• 🦞 The Great American Lobster Fest | Aug. 16–17 | Navy Pier
• 🐓 WingOut Chicago | Aug. 30–31 | Wrigleyville
• 🥦 Honorable Mention: Vegandale Chicago | June 21–22 | Grant Park

Taste(s) of Chicago

We all know the Taste of Chicago. It’s basically baby’s first food fest if you grew up here. This year, the big event will take place in Grant Park at the start of September. So far, the musical lineup is TBD but you can expect dozens of vendors.

There are also smaller, localized Tastes leading up to that big bash.

• 🍽️ Taste of Chicago at Marquette Park | June 28
• 🍽️ Taste of Chicago at Pullman Park | July 19
• 🍽️ Taste of Chicago at Albany Park | Aug. 9
• 🍽️ Taste of Chicago | Sept. 5–7 | Grant Park