Taste of Chicago is coming back to Grant Park Sept. 5-7, according to an announcement Friday from the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Music headliners include the Chicago-born rapper Lupe Fiasco, R&B singer JoJo and Latin superstar Elvis Crespo.
Friday, Sept. 5
5 p.m. Chicago Made artists
6 p.m. Terry Hunter
7 p.m. Lupe Fiasco
Saturday, Sept. 6
5 p.m. Chicago Made artists
6 p.m. The O’My’s
7 p.m. JoJo
Sunday, Sept. 7
5 p.m. Chicago Made artists
6 p.m. To be announced
7 p.m. Elvis Crespo
Along with music on the mainstage, there will be a roster of Chicago SummerDance performers turning Buckingham Fountain Plaza into a dance party and a lineup for the Goose Island Stage announced at a later date.
This summer’s Taste will have 45 food vendor booths in all, according to the announcement. New offerings include Beat Kitchen Cantina, ChefLife19, Chillafry, Crave Cookies, Dao Thai Restaurant, Hubbard Inn, Khmai, Lexington Betty Smoke House, Nitro Nostalgia Ice Cream and Board Game Cafe, and Thimi’s Empanadas. Returning food vendors include Eli’s Cheesecake, African Food Palace, BJ’s Market & Bakery, Churro Factory, Connie’s Pizza, Franco’s Ristorante, Harold’s Chicken #55, JJ Thai Street Food, Porkchop, Prime Tacos, Moore Poppin Gourmet Popcorn, The Original Rainbow Cone and Yum Dum.
Taste of Chicago is free admission and vendors will not use food tickets again this year.
Before the main event in Grant Park, three neighborhood events will take place on June 28 in Marquette Park (6743 S. Kedzie Ave.); on July 19 in Pullman Park (11101 S. Cottage Grove Ave.) and Aug. 9 in Albany Park (Kimball Avenue between Lawrence and Leland), all running noon to 8 p.m. with live music, food and SummerDance.
More information at Chicago.gov/Taste.
Originally Published: June 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM CDT