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16 Chicago Food Events to Celebrate Summer’s Arrival in June

Meredith Francis
People walking through the Chicago Food Truck Festival
Chicago Food Truck Fest is one of many food festivals returning to the city this year. Photo: Courtesy Chicago Food Truck Fest

Summer is nearly here, and several festivals are returning to Chicago’s neighborhoods after going on hiatus due to the pandemic. From delicious Greek food to endless beer options and Taste of Chicago pop-ups, here are 16 food festivals and events in June. Be sure to check event links for admission information such as times and ticketing.

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1. MaiFest

June 2-5 | Lincoln Square, 4700 N. Lincoln Avenue
Get a taste of Germany at MaiFest. German food and beer will be served at this annual Lincoln Square festival, which also features music and other entertainment. In Germany, Maifest  traditionally celebrates the arrival of spring.

2. Lincoln Park Greek Fest

June 3-5 | 2701 N. Sheffield Ave.
Hop off the Diversey Brown Line and head to St. George Greek Orthodox Church to “be Greek for a day” at the Lincoln Park Greek Fest. The menu includes mini pork skewers, pastitsio, loukoumades, and plenty of other Greek classics. 

3. Windy City Hot Dog Fest

June 4-5 | Portage Park, Milwaukee Ave, Irving Park Rd., and Cicero Ave.
The mighty hot dog is the star of the show for this Portage Park festival. Attendees can vote for their favorite hot dog. The lineup includes Chicago-style dogs, Mexican-style hot dogs, and even Indian-inspired ones. Ketchup optional.

4. Hard Seltzer Fest on the Beach

June 10 | Shore Club Chicago, North Avenue Beach
Hard seltzer fans, rejoice. Attendees get to sample various brands and flavors at this three-hour tasting event at North Avenue Beach’s Shore Club. Shore Club is also hosting a few other alcohol-themed tasting events this month: see more below.

5. Vegandale Fest 

June 11 | Grant Park, Butler Field
Vegans, there’s a food festival for you, too. This one-day Grant Park festival will have plenty of vegan food and drink vendors, as well as music and entertainment. Try everything from vegan ice cream and baked goods to quesadillas and Jamaican food.

6. Ravenswood on Tap

June 11-12 | Ravenswood and Berteau Avenues
Malt Row’s several breweries and distilleries are front and center for this beer festival in Ravenswood. Sip on brews from Begyle, Dovetail, Half Acre, Empirical, and more. KOVAL Distillery will be there with cocktails, too. The festival will also have food trucks, music, and other vendors.

7. Taste of Chicago Pop-Ups

June 11, 18, and 25 | Austin, Pullman, and Little Village
Get an appetizer for the Taste of Chicago Festival with smaller neighborhood pop-ups this year. Visit the pop-ups in Austin on June 11, Pullman on June 18, and Little Village on June 25. Visit the links for time and location details.

8. Sangria Fest on the Beach

June 17 | Shore Club Chicago, North Avenue Beach
If you’re still thirsty after the hard seltzer festival (see above), the Shore Club is also hosting this sangria festival at North Avenue Beach. Taste-test different flavors while taking in views of Lake Michigan.

9. Taste of Des Plaines

June 17-18 | Liberty Plaza, downtown Des Plaines
Everything from live music to a rock climbing wall and, of course, plenty of food vendors will be on tap for Taste of Des Plaines. The two-day event takes place in Liberty Plaza, near the Metra station.

10. Exchange Club of Naperville Ribfest

June 17-20 | Wheaton, DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds
You’ve got four days to enjoy a meal from several rib experts with this combination food and music festival. Country star Toby Keith headlines the event on Friday. The event also serves as a fundraiser to fight child abuse and domestic violence. 

11. Taste of Randolph 

June 17-19 | 900 W. Randolph St., West Loop
The Taste of Randolph is back with more than 16 restaurants and live music on Randolph Street in the West Loop. 

12. Rosé Fest on the Beach

June 24 | Shore Club Chicago, North Avenue Beach
If seltzer and sangria weren’t enough (see above), head back to the Shore Club on North Avenue Beach for their rosé fest

13. Long Grove Strawberry Fest

June 24-26 | Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd.
As the event website indicates, the “mighty strawberry” is front and center at this festival that has been a Long Grove tradition for decades. Try out strawberry-infused foods or drinks while you enjoy family-friendly games and music.

14. Chicago Food Truck Fest

June 25-26 | South Loop, 1700 S. Wabash Ave.
Get a taste of all kinds of cuisine as dozens of food trucks roll up to the South Loop. Games and live music round out this event, which claims to be one of the largest food truck festivals in the midwest.

15. Célébrez en Rosé Wine & Music Festival

June 25 | Oakwood Beach at Burnham Park
Cheers to all things rosé at this festival featuring wine, champagne, cocktails, and more. The website promises a day of “music, fashion, photo installations, games, and good vibes.”

16. Seltzerland 

June 25 | The Lot at Plumbers Hall, 1340 W Washington Blvd
If you couldn’t make  the earlier hard seltzer festival (see above), fear not. More than 100 hard seltzer brands will be served at this event in the West Loop.