Taste of Chicago Grant Park
Friday, September 5 - Sunday, September 7, 2025
11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain (Jackson & Columbus)
FREE Admission
Only credit cards are accepted by all food vendors, No food tickets will be sold
Taste of Chicago > Grant Park > Plan Your Visit
Only credit cards are accepted by all food vendors, No food tickets will be sold
- AFRICAN FOOD PALACE
- Arepa George
- Badou Senegalese Cuisine
- Banato (Snack Shack)
- Beat Kitchen Cantina - NEW
- BILLY GOAT TAVERN
- BJ's Market & Bakery
- Caseras Sabor Real LLC (food truck)
- ChefLife19/Chef Maurice - NEW
- Chicago Eats Market Place
- Chicago's Doghouse
- Chillafry - NEW
- Churro Factory (Xurro)
- Connie's Pizza
- Crave Cookies (Snack Shack) - NEW
- CUMIN Indian Eats
- Cynthia's Gumbo Express (food truck)
- DAO THAI RESTAURANT - NEW
- Decadent Flavor (food truck)
- Donut Dudes (Snack Shack)
- Doom Street Eats
- El Azteca Sanches Inc (food truck)
- Esperanza
- Franco's Ristorante
- Frannie's Cafe
- Gaby's Funnel Cakes
- Haires Gulf Shrimp (food truck)
- Happy Lobster (food truck)
- Harolds Chicken (food truck)
- Harold's Chicken #55
- Hubbard Inn - NEW
- JJ Thai Street Food
- Josephine's Southern Cooking
- Khmai - NEW
- La Cocinita Food Truck (food truck)
- Lexington Betty Smoke House - NEW
- Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
- Moore Poppin Gourmet Popcorn (Snack Shack)
- Mr. Quiles Mexican Food (food truck)
- Ms Tittle's Cupcakes (food truck)
- Ponce Restaurant
- Porkchop
- Prime Tacos
- Robinson's No.1 Ribs
- Sapori Trattoria
- Seoul Taco
- Soul & Smoke (food truck)
- Star of Siam
- T&J Food Services( Sausage Fest) (food truck) - NEW
- Taco Motora Inc (food truck) - NEW
- Tacotlan
- Tandoor Char House
- Tasty Chicago (food truck)
- The Eli's Cheesecake Company
- The Original Rainbow Cone
- The Sole Ingredient Catering LLC
- Thimi's Empanadas LLC - NEW
- Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken (food truck)
- Whadda Jerk (food truck)
- Yum Dum
Free Admission, no tickets will be sold, no seating.
(schedule is subject to change)
DJ for the evening: Mike P
- 5 p.m. - The O'My's
- 6 p.m. - PAMÉ
- 7 p.m. - JoJo
DJ for the evening: Pablo Serrano
- 5 p.m. - Sparklmami
- 6 p.m. - Blood Club
- 7 p.m. - Elvis Crespo
- Noon-12:05 p.m. - Welcome
- 12:05-12:40 p.m. – Songbird
- 12:45-1 p.m. – HotRod & DJ BMan
- 1:05-1:45 p.m. - Zion Ali
- 1:50-2:25 p.m. - HotRod & DJ BMan
- 2:30-3:25 p.m. - Da'Legend
- 3:25-3:40 p.m. - HotRod & DJ BMan
- 3:40-3:50 p.m. - KING Limitless
- 3:50-4:05 p.m. - HotRod & DJ BMan
- 4:05-5:05 p.m. - PHENOM Universal
- 5:05-5:20 p.m. - HotRod & DJ BMan
- 5:20-6:20 p.m. – Kaicrewsade
- 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Mictlan Productions presents Flores Negras & Jaxx
- Noon-12:05 p.m. - Welcome
- 12:05-12:40 p.m. - partywatcher
- 12:45-1 p.m. - Janesita
- 1:05-1:45 p.m. - Linda Sol
- 1:50-2:25 p.m - Janesita
- 2:30-3:25 p.m. - Código Verde
- 3:30-3:45 p.m. - Janesita
- 3:50-4:45 p.m. - Freddy K
- 4:45-5:15 p.m. - Janesita
- 5:20-6:20 p.m. - Outcast Jazz Band
- 6:30-7:30 p.m. - SOH-JU
- 7:30-8:30 p.m. - DJ Mo Mami
- Noon-12:05 pm - Welcome
- 12:05-12:40 pm - Zia Jenaye
- 12:45-1 p.m. - Gant Man
- 1:05-1:45 p.m. - Soh Darling
- 1:50-2:25 p.m. - Gant Man
- 2:30-3:25 p.m. - Jussoul
- 3:30-3:45 p.m. - Gant Man
- 3:50-4:35 p.m. - Barry and the Fountains
- 4:40-5:15 p.m. - Gant Man
- 5:20-6:20 p.m. - Elton Aura
- 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Freshmoon Records Presents: MoonDoctoR, DJ Earl, & FreshtillDef (Juke/Footwork, Electronic, Jungle)
Throughout each day, Chicago SummerDance, the largest annual outdoor live music and dancing series, turns Buckingham Fountain Plaza into a dance party with free dance lessons and live music. A celebration of dance in all its forms, SummerDance at Taste of Chicago will give guests the opportunity to learn and dance along to dance styles including Mambo, Country Two-Step, Salsa, Dabke, Swing, Kpop, Cumbia and much more.
(schedule is subject to change)
Noon - 4 p.m.
- Noon – Line Dancing / Just Jammin' with Janelle & Company
- 1 p.m. – Salsa / Maricza Valentin (Latin Rhythms)
- 2 p.m. – Dabke / Phaedra Darwish (Bellydance by Phaedra)
- 3 p.m. – Footwork / Christopher “Mad Dog” Thomas
Music by DJ Shon Roka
1-4:45 p.m.
- 1 p.m. – Cumbia / Teatro Tariakuri
- 2 p.m. – Swing / Sam Zorich and Neil Figuracion (Fizz Swing Dance)
- 3 p.m. – Disco / Chicago Dance Studio
- 4 p.m. – Footwork / Mike D Chicago
Music by DJ Jo-Z
Noon - 4 p.m.
- Noon – Dappankuthu / Movement of Desis
- 1 p.m. – Mambo / KR Dance Studio
- 2 p.m. – Country 2-step / Swappin Boots
- 3 p.m. – Footwork / Prince Jron
Music by DJ Sandra Treviño
Karaoke is officially back for this year’s Taste of Chicago. “The Taste of Karaoke,” hosted by People’s Stage Karaoke and Kombi Chicago, invites amateur singers to showcase their talent on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Contestants 18 and older can belt out their favorite hits over three exciting rounds for a chance at a $500 grand prize. Eligible karaoke contestants can register for the competition. All participants must check in on-site, present a valid ID, and sign a waiver before competing. Online registration provides priority placement ahead of same-day walk-up contestants, but participants still need to complete check-in to secure a spot.
Guests can also showcase their Chicago knowledge during “Neighborhood Trivia” at the karaoke stage, featuring fun, tailored questions for each of the city’s 77 neighborhoods.
| ***DISCLAIMER*** Thank you for registering for the Taste of Karaoke contest at the Taste of Chicago! Please remember: all participants must check in on-site, present a valid ID, and sign a waiver before competing. Your online registration gives you priority placement ahead of same-day walk-up contestants, but you still need to complete check-in to secure your spot. Good luck—we can’t wait to see you at the Taste of Chicago! |
- 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Kids Open Karaoke
- 12:30-1:30 p.m. - Open Karaoke
- 1:30-3 p.m. - Competition – Round 1 (24 spots)
- 3-4 p.m. - Open Karaoke
- 4-5 p.m. - Chicago Neighborhood Trivia
- 5-6:30 p.m. - Competition – Round 2 (24 spots)
- 6:30-7:45 p.m. - Open Karaoke
- 7:45-8:30 p.m. - Final
- 8:30-8:45 p.m. - Group Sing Karaoke
- 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Kids Open Karaoke
- 12:30-1:30 p.m. - Open Karaoke
- 1:30-3 p.m. - Competition – Round 1 (24 spots)
- 3-4 p.m. - Open Karaoke
- 4-5 p.m. - Chicago Neighborhood Trivia
- 5-6:30 p.m. - Competition – Round 2 (24 spots)
- 6:30-7:45 p.m. - Open Karaoke
- 7:45-8:30 p.m. - Final
- 8:30-8:45 p.m. - Group Sing Karaoke
Beyond the delectable bites and rhythmic grooves, Taste of Chicago will take attendees to new heights with sweeping views of the city from a 112-foot-tall observation wheel at the festival. Guests of all ages can enjoy the ride, and thanks to an ADA-accessible gondola, everyone can get a taste of the fun
Starts at Noon, 12:30 p.m. Cake Cutting • SummerDance Stage
Eli’s Cheesecake will host their 45th birthday with a special cake cutting of a 1,000 lb. birthday cheesecake. This year’s ceremonial cake-cutters include Lupe Fiasco, Chicago-born, Grammy-winning rapper, record producer and community advocate; Sarah Ramos, multihyphenate writer, director, producer and actress; Karen Rodriguez, star of Netflix’s hit series, The Hunting Wives.
The giant cheesecake will feature Eli's 45th Birthday flavor, Cheesecake Sundae, along with layers of Original Plain and Chocolate Chip varieties. Free slices will be served to the public, while supplies last.
Run Mag Mile® presented by HOKA takes place in partnership with Taste of Chicago Saturday morning, September 6. Starting from inside the Taste at Buckingham Fountain at 7 a.m., over 6,500 participants will choose from a 5K or 10K run/walk, earn exclusive swag and access to the Taste of Chicago brunch post-race party with artists The Divas and Joey Purp. Runners will also receive exclusive access to select Taste of Chicago vendors and complimentary tastings. For more information and please visit www.runmagmile.com.
New this year, Taste of Chicago guests will be dazzled by a drone and fireworks show Saturday, Sept. 6, at 8:15 p.m. to close out the second day of the festival. The drone show will delight all with its fusion of technology, music and pure hometown pride. Fireworks along Lake Michigan will follow directly after lighting up the night.
Featuring a variety of interactive inflatables and games, including bouncy houses, giant slides, a thrilling obstacle course, and safe inflatable axe throwing. Guests can also enjoy the always-popular Pop-A-Shot mini basketball game, making this a must-stop spot for family-friendly fun all festival long.
The Design Museum of Chicago presents “Flag Feast: A–Z,” a flavorful fusion of food, typography and culture. This outdoor design exhibition and interactive arts activation invites guests to design their own flag alongside the Chicago Graphic Design Club, while exploring a gallery of 26 Chicago-based artists—each interpreting a different letter of the alphabet through bold visual language.
Somos Arte Chicago is excited to bring hands-on creativity to this year’s Taste of Chicago. The nonprofit group will host free family-friendly art workshops where kids and parents can explore their imaginations together. From colorful crafts to interactive projects, the workshops are designed to celebrate culture, community, and creativity. Stop by, make art and take home your own masterpiece as a memory of the festival.
