Chicago, IL – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have officially unveiled the complete schedule for the 2025 Taste of Chicago, the city’s highly anticipated signature food and music festival. The announcement confirms a citywide celebration that will feature a series of popular neighborhood pop-ups throughout the summer, culminating in a grand, multi-day finale event in the iconic Grant Park.
The 2025 festival is designed to bring the Taste of Chicago experience directly into diverse communities before consolidating for the traditional large-scale event downtown. This structure, which has gained popularity in recent years, ensures wider accessibility and highlights local culinary and cultural talent across Chicago’s distinct neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Celebrations Kick Off Summer
The neighborhood portion of the 2025 Taste of Chicago will unfold across three distinct locations, each hosting a day-long event packed with local flavor and entertainment. These community celebrations are scheduled to take place on Saturdays throughout June, July, and August, serving as vibrant precursors to the main event in September.
The first neighborhood pop-up is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Marquette Park. Located in the city’s southwest side, this event will transform the park into a hub of activity, featuring a curated selection of local food vendors offering a taste of the area’s diverse culinary scene. Alongside the food, attendees can expect a range of family-friendly activities designed for all ages, live musical performances showcasing local artists, dynamic dance performances, and popular Chicago SummerDance lessons, inviting everyone to join in.
Following the Marquette Park event, the Taste of Chicago will move to Pullman Park on the city’s far south side for its second neighborhood installment on Saturday, July 19, 2025. This event will mirror the successful format, bringing together local food vendors, engaging family activities, live musical acts, captivating dance performances, and expert-led Chicago SummerDance sessions.
The final neighborhood pop-up before the Grant Park finale will take place in Albany Park on the city’s northwest side on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This event will provide another opportunity for residents and visitors in that part of the city to experience the festival closer to home, complete with local food vendors, family entertainment, live music, dance performances, and Chicago SummerDance lessons.
These neighborhood events are a cornerstone of the city’s strategy to make its largest festival more inclusive and representative of Chicago’s vast cultural landscape, providing accessible, free-to-attend celebrations of food, music, and community spirit.
Grand Finale in Grant Park
The 2025 Taste of Chicago will culminate in its traditional, large-scale format in Grant Park over three days from Friday, September 5, through Sunday, September 7, 2025. This downtown event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and features an expansive selection of food vendors, interactive experiences, and major musical performances on the main stage.
The main stage lineup for the Grant Park finale has been announced, promising a diverse array of headlining talent across the three evenings. On Friday, September 5, the main stage will feature a performance by acclaimed Chicago-born rapper Lupe Fiasco. Saturday, September 6, will see pop and R&B sensation JoJo take the stage. Closing out the festival on Sunday, September 7, is the king of merengue, Elvis Crespo.
Evening performances on the main stage in Grant Park are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. each day, offering attendees the chance to enjoy live music against the backdrop of the city skyline after sampling the myriad food and beverage offerings available throughout the park.
Accessibility and Festival Details
A key feature emphasized in the announcement is the accessibility of the 2025 Taste of Chicago. Mayor Johnson and DCASE confirmed that all Taste of Chicago events, including the neighborhood pop-ups in Marquette Park, Pullman Park, and Albany Park, as well as the grand finale in Grant Park, will offer free admission to the public.
While food and beverages from vendors will be available for purchase, the ability to enter and enjoy the performances, family activities, and overall atmosphere without an entrance fee remains a significant draw for the festival, making it accessible to a broad audience.
The 2025 Taste of Chicago schedule, as announced by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), reinforces the event’s standing as a premier urban festival. By blending community-focused neighborhood events with the iconic Grant Park celebration, the festival aims to offer a comprehensive and accessible experience of Chicago’s vibrant food, music, and cultural scenes throughout the summer and into early autumn.
