Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced the food vendor and main stage entertainment lineup for the 2023 edition of Taste of Chicago. Established in 1980, this annual Chicago tradition will once again showcase Chicago’s culinary offerings in Grant Park. Along with a selection of food and beverage offerings, guests will have the opportunity for rree admission to performances by a slate of musical talent. Headline performances include Masters of the Mic: Hip Hop 50 celebrating 50 years of the genre with its artists including Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, KRS-One and Slick Rick; singer-songwriter Lupita Infante supported by the all-female, Chicago-based Mariachi group Mariachi Sirenas; Dominican-American hip-hop group Proyecto Uno; and Chicago-based band Whitney. Guests can also take advantage of a wide variety of family activities, programming, free dance lessons and much more.
“Since 1980, Taste of Chicago has been a beloved tradition showcasing our city’s incredible culinary and cultural offerings,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I’m thrilled to invite Chicagoans and visitors alike to Grant Park once again to enjoy familiar Taste of Chicago favorites, new vendor additions and exciting entertainment for everyone to enjoy."
Taking place in its longtime home near Grant Park’s Buckingham Fountain, Taste of Chicago will return Friday – Sunday, September 8 – 10 with more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, plus three stages presenting free performances, dance classes, family activities and more. Full Taste Main Stage and SummerDance Stage lineups enclosed. Goose Island Stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
“From our neighborhood events in Humboldt Park, Pullman Park and Marquette Park throughout the summer to September’s festival in Grant Park, we’re excited to showcase all that the Chicago culinary and cultural scene has to offer,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “In addition to these offerings, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a multitude of other DCASE mainstays and new additions including Chicago SummerDance, Chicago Sings Karaoke and much more.”
New this year, Taste of Chicago Grant Park has expanded the number of festival entrances and streamlined the guest entrance process Taste of Chicago Grant Park and all performances are free admission. Once again, there will be no Taste tickets; all vendors accept cash and/or credit.
In addition to the more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, a designated beer hall, wine garden and cocktail lounge will be offered, featuring offerings alongside the new frozen adult beverage station. Beer drinkers can also partake in Friday Night Flights, a celebration of Chicago’s craft beer scene in partnership with Choose Chicago on Friday, September 8.
Also this year, Lifeway Family Village will give guests the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of games, bounce houses and activities.
Each evening presents a mix of nightly concerts on the Taste Main Stage and the Goose Island Stage.
“Taste of Chicago is a can’t-miss Chicago summer staple that continues to put the diversity of our dynamic restaurant community on full display. It's one of my favorite summertime traditions,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “Chicago is truly the greatest culinary city in the world, and we are excited and honored to help bring it to Grant Park.”
Throughout each day, Chicago SummerDance, 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 Reggaeton, Country Two-Step, Bollywood, Salsa, Footwork and more.
Also on the SummerDance Stage, Eli’s Cheesecake will host their annual Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration on Saturday, September 9 at 12:30 p.m., continuing a longstanding tradition. Attendees will receive a free piece of cake following the ceremony, while supplies last.
Taste of Chicago guests will also have the opportunity to take part in the second annual edition of Chicago Sings Karaoke, a competition to showcase and celebrate vocalists throughout the city.
The Goose Island Stage at this year's Taste of Chicago will feature Chicago's rising stars who have entertained audiences with their stage presence, musical genres and a love for getting their audiences involved in the party. The Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL) is collaborating with DCASE on the Goose Island Stage lineup, which will offer families and people of all ages with tacos, sandwiches or ice cream in hand. CIVL advocates on behalf of Chicago’s independent performing arts venues. The local shows, concerts and events at its independent venues throughout Chicago.
The full Goose Island stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
Taste Main Stage – Schedule of Performances
Friday, September 8
DJ for the evening: Selah Say
5 p.m. Slique Jay Adams and Mamii, both presented by Chicago Made
6 p.m. Meagan McNeal
7 p.m. Masters of the Mic: Hip Hop 50 featuring Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, KRS-One and Slick Rick
Saturday, September 9
DJ for the evening: DJ Janesita
5 p.m. ÉSSO, presented by Chicago Made
6 p.m. Lupita Infante with Mariachi Sirenas
7 p.m. Proyecto Uno
Sunday, September 10
DJ for the evening: DJ Mike P
5 p.m. Nola Adé and Cloud Farmers, both presented by Chicago Made
6 p.m. White Mystery
7:15 p.m. Whitney
Chicago SummerDance at Taste – Schedule
Friday, September 8, 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
11 a.m. DJ and Open Dancing
12 p.m. Line Dancing / Fre2Dance
1 p.m. Peruvian Folk Dance / Center of Peruvian Arts
2 p.m. Balboa (Swing) / Desiree Roffers
3 p.m. Reggaeton / Latin Street
4 p.m. DJ and Open Dancing
Saturday, September 9 1 – 4:45 p.m.
1 p.m. Salsa / Latin Rhythms
2 p.m. Country Two-Step / Second City Country Dance Association
3 p.m. Zouk / Urbanity Dance Chicago
4 p.m. DJ and Open Dancing
Sunday, July 10, 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
11 a.m. DJ and Open Dancing
12 p.m. Steppin’ / Majestic Gents
1 p.m. Eastern European Folk Dance / Ethnic Dance Chicago
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced the food vendor and main stage entertainment lineup for the 2023 edition of Taste of Chicago. Established in 1980, this annual Chicago tradition will once again showcase Chicago’s culinary offerings in Grant Park. Along with a selection of food and beverage offerings, guests will have the opportunity for rree admission to performances by a slate of musical talent. Headline performances include Masters of the Mic: Hip Hop 50 celebrating 50 years of the genre with its artists including Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, KRS-One and Slick Rick; singer-songwriter Lupita Infante supported by the all-female, Chicago-based Mariachi group Mariachi Sirenas; Dominican-American hip-hop group Proyecto Uno; and Chicago-based band Whitney. Guests can also take advantage of a wide variety of family activities, programming, free dance lessons and much more.
“Since 1980, Taste of Chicago has been a beloved tradition showcasing our city’s incredible culinary and cultural offerings,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I’m thrilled to invite Chicagoans and visitors alike to Grant Park once again to enjoy familiar Taste of Chicago favorites, new vendor additions and exciting entertainment for everyone to enjoy."
Taking place in its longtime home near Grant Park’s Buckingham Fountain, Taste of Chicago will return Friday – Sunday, September 8 – 10 with more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, plus three stages presenting free performances, dance classes, family activities and more. Full Taste Main Stage and SummerDance Stage lineups enclosed. Goose Island Stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
“From our neighborhood events in Humboldt Park, Pullman Park and Marquette Park throughout the summer to September’s festival in Grant Park, we’re excited to showcase all that the Chicago culinary and cultural scene has to offer,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “In addition to these offerings, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a multitude of other DCASE mainstays and new additions including Chicago SummerDance, Chicago Sings Karaoke and much more.”
New this year, Taste of Chicago Grant Park has expanded the number of festival entrances and streamlined the guest entrance process Taste of Chicago Grant Park and all performances are free admission. Once again, there will be no Taste tickets; all vendors accept cash and/or credit.
In addition to the more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, a designated beer hall, wine garden and cocktail lounge will be offered, featuring offerings alongside the new frozen adult beverage station. Beer drinkers can also partake in Friday Night Flights, a celebration of Chicago’s craft beer scene in partnership with Choose Chicago on Friday, September 8.
Also this year, Lifeway Family Village will give guests the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of games, bounce houses and activities.
Each evening presents a mix of nightly concerts on the Taste Main Stage and the Goose Island Stage.
“Taste of Chicago is a can’t-miss Chicago summer staple that continues to put the diversity of our dynamic restaurant community on full display. It's one of my favorite summertime traditions,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “Chicago is truly the greatest culinary city in the world, and we are excited and honored to help bring it to Grant Park.”
Throughout each day, Chicago SummerDance, 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 Reggaeton, Country Two-Step, Bollywood, Salsa, Footwork and more.
Also on the SummerDance Stage, Eli’s Cheesecake will host their annual Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration on Saturday, September 9 at 12:30 p.m., continuing a longstanding tradition. Attendees will receive a free piece of cake following the ceremony, while supplies last.
Taste of Chicago guests will also have the opportunity to take part in the second annual edition of Chicago Sings Karaoke, a competition to showcase and celebrate vocalists throughout the city.
The Goose Island Stage at this year's Taste of Chicago will feature Chicago's rising stars who have entertained audiences with their stage presence, musical genres and a love for getting their audiences involved in the party. The Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL) is collaborating with DCASE on the Goose Island Stage lineup, which will offer families and people of all ages with tacos, sandwiches or ice cream in hand. CIVL advocates on behalf of Chicago’s independent performing arts venues. The local shows, concerts and events at its independent venues throughout Chicago.
The full Goose Island stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
Taste Main Stage – Schedule of Performances
Friday, September 8
Saturday, September 9
Sunday, September 10
Chicago SummerDance at Taste – Schedule
Friday, September 8, 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Saturday, September 9 1 – 4:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 10, 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
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