The Taste of Chicago is one of the city’s most beloved traditions: with the lakefront as a backdrop, local restaurants and vendors set up booths in Grant Park each summer. The Taste has grown from a humble gathering of restauranteurs in 1980 to a citywide series of events and a three-day event in Grant Park. When is the Taste of Chicago 2024? The culinary event starts Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8. The Taste of Chicago 2024 continues to uphold and elevate the tradition with nightly starlit performances by several artists and plenty of local flavors! Whether you’re a local or a visitor to the Chicagoland area, this is an event that food and music fans everywhere won’t want to miss.
When is the Taste of Chicago?
Although this Chicago event has been pushed back from its midsummer date to accommodate NASCAR Street Racing in Grant Park, this event is still the main draw. So, when is the Taste of Chicago? The Taste of Chicago at Grant Park will take place on Sept. 6th, 7th, and 8th.
Starting last year, “mini-tastes” were added throughout the city—in Rogers Park on June 15th, Marquette Park on July 27th, and Pullman Park on August 17th– to showcase local diversity and culinary excellence. All Taste of Chicago 2024 events are free to attend, with food and drinks available to purchase on-site with cash or credit card.
Taste of Chicago 2024 Vendors
Many local vendors are in attendance during the Taste of Chicago dates, and it should be no surprise that Chicago’s most famous foods are well-represented. Taste of Chicago 2024 attendees can try Polish sausage, Chicago-style pizza, and much more—made fresh by chefs from high-end restaurants and legendary food truck vendors alike:
- Cumin Club Indian Kitchen
- Sapori Trattoria
- Arun’s Thai Restaurant
- The Original Rainbow Cone
- Healthy Substance Kitchen
- LC Pho Restaurant
- Yum Dum
- Churro Factory (Xurro)
- African Food Palace
- Porkchop
- The Eli’s Cheesecake Company
- Esperanza
- Robinson No. 1 Ribs
- Classic Cobbler Baked Goods Company
- Tacotlan
- J Thai Street Food
- Doom Street Eats
- Badou Senegalese Cuisine
- Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
- Billy Goat Tavern
- Chicago Eats
- Gaby’s Funnel Cakes
- Frannie’s Café
- Prime Tacos
- The Sole Ingredient Catering
- BJ’s Market & Bakery
- Connie’s Pizza
- Seoul Taco Chicago
- Chicago’s Doghouse
- Tandoor Char House
- Pies of London
- Banato
- Mr. E Chef Catering
- Josephine’s Cooking
- Yvolina’s Tamales
In addition to tastes from these restaurants, the Taste of Chicago 2024 will also highlight a designated beer hall, wine garden, and cocktail lounge.
Taste of Chicago Concerts and Events
Similar to the previous year, each Taste of Chicago date features a lineup of national and international artists to bring energy and a feeling of community to the event. Other community activities include:
- Chicago SummerDance
- Chicago Sings Karaoke Stage
- Made in Chicago: Food Trivia
- Lifeway Foods Family Village
- Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration
Taste of Chicago Grant Park: Directions & Parking
Grant Park is located at 337 E. Randolph Street. It’s easily accessible via the CTA red line—just get off at Harrison and head east toward the lake. Visit www.transitchicago.com for more bus and train directions.
Driving in? Here’s how to get to Taste of Chicago in Grant Park:
- Via Columbus, from Monroe to Balbo, and from Balbo to Roosevelt
- Via Jackson, from Michigan to Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Drive
- Via Congress, from Columbus to Congress Parkway semi-circle
Parking is available at Millennium Lakeside Garage, 5 S. Columbus Dr. Chicago, IL 60601. The vehicle entrance is on South Columbus Drive between Monroe and Randolph Streets and has a height clearance of 6’8″.
Taking your bike? Bike racks are available on the perimeter of Grant Park and Millennium Park.
Plan Your Chicago Trip Today!
While you’re in the Chicago area, why not take the opportunity to see as much of “the Windy City” as you can? It’s hard to think of a better way to do just that than a view from 103 stories up! Take a Virtual Tour to see what the Skydeck experience is all about and check out some of the other exciting activities happening this summer.