Taste of Chicago Returns to July, Driving Tourism, Economic Activity and Five Days of Food, Music and Family Fun

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Chicago's iconic food festival returns to Grant Park July 8-12 with award-winning chefs, free entertainment, local restaurants, family programming and new cultural experiences

CHICAGO - The City of Chicago's iconic Taste of Chicago returns to its traditional summer home in July, bringing one of the city's largest and most anticipated festivals back to Grant Park for five days celebrating Chicago's food, music, culture and creativity. The return to July reinforces Taste of Chicago's role as a major economic driver for the city, attracting residents and visitors during the height of the tourism season while supporting local restaurants, artists, performers, small businesses and Chicago's vibrant creative economy.

For more than four decades, Taste of Chicago has generated millions of dollars in economic activity while showcasing the city's internationally recognized culinary scene and rich cultural diversity. This year's festival builds on that legacy with expanded entertainment, new culinary experiences, public art activations, SummerDance programming and interactive attractions for all ages.

Held Wednesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 12, in Grant Park, Taste of Chicago will feature dozens of food vendors, nationally recognized musical performances, local artists, family attractions, culinary demonstrations and interactive programming throughout the festival grounds.

Taste of Chicago will feature headliner performances by Beach Bunny, Original Koffee, Common, Babyface and Julieta Venegas , with additional live music at the Goose Island stage and free SummerDance programming throughout the festival. View the complete entertainment lineup, Goose Island stage schedule and SummerDance schedule at TasteOfChicago.us.

New Chef's Stage Showcases Chicago's Culinary Excellence
Making its debut this year, the Taste of Chicago Chef's Stage will spotlight some of Chicago's most celebrated chefs through live cooking demonstrations, chef conversations, audience Q&A sessions and limited-time signature dishes available for purchase. Throughout the weekend, featured chefs will also appear at the Chef Booth where guests can purchase signature dishes, meet participating chefs and enjoy a special "Behind the Apron" conversation exploring the inspiration, techniques and stories behind Chicago's vibrant culinary community.

The Chef's Stage will feature:

• Friday, July 10 (In partnership with Let's Talk Womxn)
  • Maya-Camille Broussard (Justice of the Pies)
  • Carrie Nahabedian (Brindille)
• Saturday, July 11
  • Diana Dávila (Mi Tocaya Antojería)
• Sunday, July 12 (In partnership with The Banchet Awards)
  • John Manion (Brasero and El Che)
  • Javauneeka Jacobs (Frontera Grill)

Goose Island Stage Celebrates Chicago's Local Creative Talent
The Goose Island Stage will feature a continuous lineup of Chicago musicians, DJs, poets and performers throughout all five festival days, highlighting the city's emerging creative talent alongside familiar local favorites. Programming includes performances by Ur Mom, Kristen Lowe, Ryan Alexander, Clairice, Mike DFG, Manny Torres, The MIND, Victor Internet, Larry Taylor and many more, along with daily DJ sets.

Special appearances include:

• Chicago Youth Poet Laureate Lucy De Maio
• Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda Del Valle
• Poets Pretty Riot, Ellie Hersher-Dale and Nile Lansana

Drone and Fireworks Spectacular
The third day of Taste of Chicago will conclude with a spectacular synchronized drone and fireworks show over Lake Michigan on Friday, July 10, beginning at 9:15 p.m. The custom drone show combines cutting-edge technology, music and hometown pride before culminating in a fireworks display over Lake Michigan. The best viewing experience, including synchronized audio, will be from Buckingham Fountain.

SummerDance Returns to Taste of Chicago
This year's lineup celebrates the rich diversity of dance traditions from around the world, featuring styles such as salsa, tango, bellydance, bollywood, swing, line dancing, Brazilian samba, Chicago Steppin, and more! Professional dance instructors will offer free lessons before music by DJ Sandra Treviño, creating a welcoming experience for dancers of all skill levels. The full summer dance schedule can be viewed at TasteOfChicago.us.

"If It's Art, It's Here" Debuts at Taste of Chicago
DCASE's "If It's Art, It's Here" digital arts and culture campaign, in partnership with Choose Chicago, makes its Taste of Chicago debut with an interactive public art experience on Saturday, July 11 from noon - 5 p.m. celebrating Chicago's vibrant creative community. Festivalgoers can watch acclaimed Pilsen-based artist Sentrock create a live mural, participate in a collaborative community art piece, receive giveaways and experience the creativity, neighborhoods and cultural vibrancy that make Chicago a premier arts and culture destination.

Soar Above the Festival
Festivalgoers can experience Taste of Chicago from a whole new perspective aboard a 112-foot Ferris wheel overlooking Grant Park and the Chicago skyline. The Ferris wheel offers sweeping views of the city and festival grounds, creating one of the signature attractions of this year's event. The attraction is open to guests of all ages. Tickets are $10 for children and $12 for adults.

Eli's Cheesecake
Festivalgoers can also enjoy special birthday programming from one of Chicago's most iconic dessert makers, Eli's Cheesecake. Additional details regarding featured appearances, demonstrations and scheduled activities will be announced soon.

Karaoke & Chicago Trivia
Audience participation returns with The Taste of Karaoke, hosted by People's Stage Karaoke and Kombi Chicago, where amateur singers ages 18 and older can compete Friday through Sunday for a chance to win a $500 grand prize. Festivalgoers can also test their Chicago knowledge during Only in Chicago Trivia, featuring questions on the city's neighborhoods, food, music, history and more. Programming schedules, karaoke registration and additional participation details are available at TasteOfChicago.us.

Expanded Family Programming
Families can enjoy an expanded Family Village featuring giant inflatable slides, bounce houses, interactive games, a 50-foot obstacle course and new soccer and FIFA World Cup-themed inflatables. Returning this year, SomosArte Chicago will offer free hands-on art activities for children and caregivers, inviting families to celebrate creativity, culture and community while creating artwork to take home. The Family Village will be open Friday through Sunday until 7 p.m. daily.

Design Museum of Chicago Presents "Flag Feast: A-Z"
Returning to Taste of Chicago, the Design Museum of Chicago presents "Flag Feast: A-Z," an outdoor exhibition featuring 26 Chicago artists whose vibrant flag installations celebrate the city's neighborhoods, cultures and culinary traditions. Displayed throughout the festival grounds, the exhibition transforms the park into a colorful public gallery that highlights Chicago's creativity and diverse artistic voices.

A Celebration of Chicago
Beyond its celebrated culinary offerings, Taste of Chicago showcases the creativity and cultural vibrancy that define the city. From nationally recognized musical performances and free SummerDance programming to public art, family activities and interactive experiences, the festival offers something for everyone while celebrating the artists, neighborhoods and communities that make Chicago unique.

As one of the nation's largest free food festivals, Taste of Chicago continues to bring together residents and visitors to celebrate Chicago's world-renowned culinary scene, rich cultural diversity and thriving creative economy.

Additional festival information, entertainment schedules, participating restaurants and event details are available at TasteOfChicago.us.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and guests of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

Illinois Restaurant Association
Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois. The Association manages the food portion of Taste of Chicago for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. For more information, visit www.illinoisrestaurants.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.