The Chicago food festival, known as the Taste of Chicago, will be from September 5th to September 7th, 2025. It's hosted in Grant Park, the iconic location right by the lakefront. The chicago food festival also features smaller neighborhood popups throughout summer, including Marquette Park on June 28th, Pullman Park on July 19th, and Albany Park on August 9th. It's Chicago's best chance to sample the city's culinary offerings.
The main event of the chicago food festival aka Taste of Chicago runs from September 5th to September 7th, 2025.Originally held in July, organizers moved the dates recently to avoid conflicts and enjoy better weather. The neighborhood popup events earlier in summer help build excitement leading to the main festival.
The chicago food festival is completely free to enter. You can walk around, enjoy live music, and experience the atmosphere without paying admission. But keep in mind, food and drinks do cost money, and vendors now take bothcash and credit cards. No more messing around with coupon books; buying food is easier than ever.
The chicago food festival first started back in 1980. Restaurateur Arnie Morton had the original idea which wasinspired by New York's Taste of the Big Apple. The first event on North Michigan Avenue brought over 250,000 people in just one day. Because of this, the festival moved to Grant Park the next year which became one of the world's largest food festivals.
In the 1980's, the chicago food festival grew dramatically, eventually expanding to include music, dancing, and family activities. Despite occasional setbacks, like the cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic, the festival has proven its resiliency. In 2022, Taste of Chicago returned stronger, keeping its title as a Chicago tradition alive and well.
For food truck fans the Chicago Food Truck Festival starts on June 28th and will be going through the 29th, 2025, at 2300 S. Indiana Ave in South Loop. This year’s focus is on the iconic Chicago Style Hotdog. The festival features gourmet food trucks serving everything from tacos and pizza to dessert trucks and gourmet burgers. There's also a smaller weekly event at Daley Plaza every Friday from May 16th to October 3rd, perfect for a quick lunchtime meal.
Chicago is packed with great food festivals beyond just the Taste of Chicago. Check out Just Eat Up regularly for info about events celebrating everything from cocktails and international dishes to Chicago-specific cuisine. Stay in the know and never miss a chance to indulge in your favorite foods all year round.