Baby Face: Photo courtesy of artist
Chicago’s legendary food festival returns to Grant Park with five days of free concerts, diverse local cuisine and family-friendly programming along the iconic lakefront.
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the return of Taste of Chicago, one of the world’s largest free-admission food festivals, July 8–12 for an expanded five-day celebration bringing residents and visitors together through acclaimed cuisine, live music and Chicago pride. From beloved neighborhood restaurants and emerging chefs to performances by globally recognized artists and family-friendly programming along the city’s iconic lakefront, Taste of Chicago 2026 will showcase the cultural diversity and creative energy that continue to make Chicago a premier culinary destination.
This year’s Taste of Chicago will feature an exciting lineup of acclaimed artists and performers at Grant Park, including indie rock pop favorites Beach Bunny, Grammy-winning Reggae singer-songwriter Original Koffee, Chicago hip-hop icon Common, legendary R&B singer, songwriter and producer Babyface and international Mexican Latin pop-rock sensation Julieta Venegas. The diverse music lineup will bring renowned talent to the lakefront while celebrating the energy and creativity that define Chicago’s summer festival season.
The festival will feature returning favorites and new restaurants representing Chicago’s dynamic culinary landscape from across the city. Participating new vendors include Aaron’s FOF BBQ and Catering, Bust Outs, Café Tola, Cebu Chicago, CHKN Box LLC, Classic Cobbler Baked Goods Company, Daniel’s Test Kitchen, Fernando’s Blue Agave Restaurant, Havana Banana, Joey G’s Mac N Cheese, Kaya Grill & Gyoza, Kinnaree Thai Kitchen, LC Pho Restaurant, Lindsey’s Ice Cream, Molly’s Cupcakes, MsP’s GFree Inc, Oooh Wee It Is, Pretty Cool Ice Cream, Rickshaw, S2 Express Grill, Saffron Street Chicago, Soul Veg City, Taco Pros, Taylor’s Tacos, TE’AMO, The Tamale Guy and many other vendors representing cuisines from across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. A full list of vendors can be viewed online.
Taste of Chicago’s food truck lineup will bring even more flavor to Grant Park with 20 food trucks serving a wide array of culinary offerings throughout the five-day festival. Participating food trucks include Caseras Food Truck, Decadent Flavor, Delicias Tacos Inc., El Azteca Sanchez Inc., Haire’s Gulf Shrimp, Halal Truck Guys, Happy Lobster, La Cocinita Food Truck, La Guerita Mexican Food Truck, Mr. Quiles Mexican Food, Ms. Tittle’s Cupcakes, Route 66 Mobile Diner LLC, Soul & Smoke, Sausage Fest, Taco Motora Inc., Tasty Chicago, Uncle Remus SFC, Whadda Jerk, Willie P’s BBQ & Catering, Yummy Halal Food. From barbecue and seafood favorites to tacos, comfort food, global flavors and sweet treats, the food truck lineup adds even more opportunities for festivalgoers to discover something new while experiencing Chicago’s dynamic culinary scene.
The food festival will feature a total of 84 food vendors in Grant Park including 20 rotating pop-up vendors and a Snack Shack area with four featured vendors. Nearly 38% of participating food vendors are new to Taste this year bringing new flavors and dining experiences to one of Chicago’s signature summer events.
Featured Headliners
This year’s lineup will also feature an exciting blend of live performances from international superstars to emerging local talent across multiple genres. Headlining performances throughout the five-day Grant Park festival will bring even more energy and entertainment to this summer tradition.
Featured headliners include:
- Babyface — with opening performers Opal Staples & Isaiah Sharkey
- Beach Bunny — with opening performer Friko
- Common — with opening performers Recoechi and Kaicrewsade
- Julieta Venegas — with opening performer Valebol
- Originial Koffee — with opening performer Funkadesi celebrating 30 years
For more information and the full event lineup, visit Chicago.gov/Taste.
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