With summer in full swing here in Chicago, the weather is heating up and the crowds are heading outdoors. There’s a lot going on in August, from lazy beach days to outdoor concerts, and food. Lots and lots of food. There’s only 3 more weeks left in August, and the food/street festival season is only getting warmed up. Here are our favorite picks for food/street festivals for the remainder of 2017:
Chicago Hot Dog Fest
Date: August 11th-13th
Location: Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St.), Chicago
The Chicago History Museum is sponsoring the 4th annual Chicago Hot Dog Fest. Celebrating all things hot dog, this food extravaganza will feature kid’s activities, a music stage and an area with multiple vendors selling their specialty frankfurters.
Taylor Street Festa Italiana
Date: August 18th-20th
Location: Taylor St. & Ashland Ave., Chicago
The Taylor Street Festa Italiana will bring out the inner Italian in you. Meatballs, pasta and dolce vita are on the menu at the 11th annual street fest celebrating all things Italian. Food will be served by long time family-owned Italian restaurants along with up-and-coming chefs. There will be meatball and cannoli eating contest along with Italian card games and maybe even a game of bocce ball with the old timers.
Lincoln Square Greek Fest
Date: August 18th-20th
Location: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2727 W. Winona
In a prior life this festival was known as St. Demetrios Greek Fest. For 68 recurring years, the Greek Fest has been serving up Greek food and hospitality for all in attendance. There will be Greek music, Greek dishes prepared by parishioners, dancing and an entertainment stage.
A beer/wine garden will be opened for adults while the kids can play on the inflatable bouncy castles and kiddie rides. There will be food and pastries served and
Taste of Greektown
Date: August 25th-27th
Location: 400 S. Halsted St., Chicago
If the Lincoln Square Greek Fest only whetted your appetite for all things Greek, then the Taste of Greektown should quench your thirst. You’ll find Hellenic foods from various Greek neighborhood eateries along with dancing, live music and family-friendly games. Located in the middle of Chicago’s Greek community, the Taste of Greektown is a long running tradition and is highly acclaimed by local residents.
Great American Lobster Fest
Date: September 1st-3rd
Location: Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.), Chicago
Billed as the Midwest’s largest seafood festival, the Great American Lobster Fest is in its 3rd year. Live music, family-friendly activities, arts-and-crafts booths offer something for everyone. Of course, fresh lobster will be flown in from the east coast. The festival is being held on Labor Day Weekend and will be capped off with a firework show on Navy Pier.
Chicago Bourbon & Barbeque Fest
Date: September 9th-10th
Location: 2800 N. Clybourn Ave.
One of the newer street festivals around, the Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Fest features barrel-aged bourbon whiskeys and some of the best BBQ in town.
Shock Top Oyster Fest
Date: September 2017
Location: 200 W. Roscoe, Chicago
Fresh seafood and oysters are on the menu for this critically acclaimed festival put on by Shock Top.
Sam Adams Lakeview Taco Fest
Date: September 16th-17th
Location: Southport Ave. & Addison St.
Now it its 4th year, the Sam Adams Lakeview Taco Fest is devoted to the love of all things taco (and Sam Adams beer). Almost any conceivable combination of tacos will be featured and consumed at this 2 day festival. Beer tasting and Mexican wrestlers will entertain the crowds and you can even text vote for Chicago’s “Best Taco”.
Oktoberfest Chicago
Date: September 29th-October 1st
Location: Southport Ave. & Lincoln Ave.
Prost! What better way to celebrate the start of fall by attending one of the most popular festivals in Chicago? Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus is in its 15th year and will be held outside the church in the West Lakeview neighborhood. Brats, Bier und pretzels will be served.
Shaw's Oyster Fest
Date: September 30th
Location: Rush St. & Hubbard St., Chicago
This one-day oyster festival returns to Chicago on September 30th. Last year over 3,000 people came to the fest and gobbled up such seafood delicacies as clam chowder, lobster rolls and fish tacos. Live music will be held along with a Midwest craft beer section at Shaw’s Oyster Fest.
Ginza Holiday Festival
Date: August 11th-13th
Location: Midwest Buddhist Temple (435 W. Menomonee St.), Chicago
If you’re like most people, you get an occasional craving for good Japanese food, culture and music. The Ginza Holiday Festival delivers on all 3 fronts. From martial arts demonstrations to Minyo folk dances, this festival celebrates all things Japanese.
Chicago Hot Sauce Fest
Date: August 29th-30th
Location: W. Belmont Ave. and N. Elston Ave., Chicago
This festival is not for the faint of heart, or for those who have sensitive palates. The Chicago Hot Sauce Fest features some of the hottest flavors out there, including some newcomers. If you think you can handle the heat, head on down to the kitchen!
Chicago Food Festivals
Chicago is famous for our summer festivals and street fairs. Delight and tantalize your taste buds with some of the best food, flavors and cultures that Chicago has to offer. Now is the best time to get out and enjoy the sun and weather before winter starts setting in again and we all become hermit crabs for a few more months.
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