Chicago Gourmet has announced its 2026 festival lineup, theme, and event schedule, with programming set to take place September 23–27 across multiple venues in the city. The Illinois Restaurant Association event will also include its Dine Around Series running September 1–18 at participating restaurants throughout Chicagoland.
This year’s theme, “Let Your Tastebuds Dance,” connects food and performance through a series of events pairing culinary experiences with music and live entertainment. Organizers said the 2026 festival will feature a range of formats, including chef-driven dinners, tasting events, demonstrations, and large-scale outdoor gatherings.
Programming begins ahead of the main festival dates with the Gourmet Tailgate on September 13 at Utopian Tailgate, where guests will watch a Chicago Bears game while sampling chef-prepared dishes. The main schedule opens September 23 with two concurrent events: the Global Stage Dinner at the Pritzker Pavilion, featuring a multi-course meal paired with live dance performances, and the Asian Night Market at Zhou B Art Center, offering food, cocktails, and music.
Additional events throughout the week include Tacos & Tequila on September 24 at the Harris Theater Rooftop, featuring tacos, agave spirits, and live performances, and Somm Sessions on September 25 at Adalina, where sommeliers will pair wines and music with a multi-course lunch benefiting the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
The Hamburger Hop will return on September 25 with chef-led burger tastings, beverage service, and live entertainment, followed by an after-party with music and additional programming. The festival’s Grand Cru tasting event will take place September 26 in two sessions, featuring dishes from more than 30 chefs alongside wine and spirits. The same day will also include a lineup of chef demonstrations at the Pritzker Pavilion.
The festival will conclude September 27 with Rise & Shine Gourmet, a brunch event featuring dishes from participating chefs.
Beyond the main events, the Dine Around Series will extend the festival into neighborhoods across the city, with approximately 80 restaurants offering special menus, dishes, and pairings. Participating locations include a mix of independent restaurants and established hospitality groups across Chicago.
Tickets for Chicago Gourmet 2026 events are now available through the festival’s official website.
The Rundown
Chicago Gourmet has announced its 2026 festival lineup, theme, and event schedule, with programming set to take place September 23–27 across multiple venues in the city. The Illinois Restaurant Association event will also include its Dine Around Series running September 1–18 at participating restaurants throughout Chicagoland.
This year’s theme, “Let Your Tastebuds Dance,” connects food and performance through a series of events pairing culinary experiences with music and live entertainment. Organizers said the 2026 festival will feature a range of formats, including chef-driven dinners, tasting events, demonstrations, and large-scale outdoor gatherings.
Programming begins ahead of the main festival dates with the Gourmet Tailgate on September 13 at Utopian Tailgate, where guests will watch a Chicago Bears game while sampling chef-prepared dishes. The main schedule opens September 23 with two concurrent events: the Global Stage Dinner at the Pritzker Pavilion, featuring a multi-course meal paired with live dance performances, and the Asian Night Market at Zhou B Art Center, offering food, cocktails, and music.
Additional events throughout the week include Tacos & Tequila on September 24 at the Harris Theater Rooftop, featuring tacos, agave spirits, and live performances, and Somm Sessions on September 25 at Adalina, where sommeliers will pair wines and music with a multi-course lunch benefiting the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
The Hamburger Hop will return on September 25 with chef-led burger tastings, beverage service, and live entertainment, followed by an after-party with music and additional programming. The festival’s Grand Cru tasting event will take place September 26 in two sessions, featuring dishes from more than 30 chefs alongside wine and spirits. The same day will also include a lineup of chef demonstrations at the Pritzker Pavilion.
The festival will conclude September 27 with Rise & Shine Gourmet, a brunch event featuring dishes from participating chefs.
Beyond the main events, the Dine Around Series will extend the festival into neighborhoods across the city, with approximately 80 restaurants offering special menus, dishes, and pairings. Participating locations include a mix of independent restaurants and established hospitality groups across Chicago.
Tickets for Chicago Gourmet 2026 events are now available through the festival’s official website.
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