About the Taste of Chicago 2013:
Considered the biggest event of the year in Chicago, the Taste of Chicago is also said to be the world's largest outdoor food festival with hundreds of local food vendors and nearly 3 million visitors. Live entertainment and music are also part of the fun. The Taste of Chicago started in 1980 and will be celebrating its 23rd year. The biggest change for this year is that instead of running for about 10 days, the Taste will be condensed to five days. The reason for the change? Money. In 2011, the Taste was down 11 percent in terms of visitors from 2010 and nearly 28 percent from 2007. Participating restaurants also lost out in 2011, making $4.9 million - 20 percent less than in 2010. Because of the change to five days, it is not certain all food vendors will return.
Taste of Chicago 2013 Dates and Hours:
July 10-14, 2013 - note that the Taste of Chicago will not be over the Fourth of July weekend as in previous years. Hours each day are typically 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Taste of Chicago 2013 Admission:
Admission (including admission to musical events and the Family Village) is free. Food and drinks are purchased with tickets sold at the Taste of Chicago in sets of 12 usually for around $8. You can also purchase food and beverage tickets in advance for typically about $6 per set when you show your FRESH VALUES CARD at any Dominick’s. As a guide, larger food items are about 10 tickets and smaller portions are roughly six tickets. Restaurant vendors also sale "Taste of" portions for about four tickets. Beverages offered include Pepsi soft drinks, Anheuser Busch beers and specialty drinks, Hinckley Springs bottled water, and Gallo wines. Personal coolers are not permitted.
Taste of Chicago 2012 Location:
Grant Park between Monroe Avenue and Balbo Drive - north/south between Monroe Avenue and Balbo Drive, east/west between Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. (Tip: The Taste of Chicago is close to the Art Institute of Chicago housing one of the world's largest collection of art. The museum is one of Chicago's most famous cultural gems and is a must-see for Chicagoans and visitors alike.
Taste of Chicago 2013 Entertainment:
Traditonally, the Taste of Chicago has a diverse lineup of internationally renowned and local artists playing daily at the Petrillo Music Shell. In 2011, four of Chicago's annual lakefront music festivals -- Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Celtic Fest Chicago, and the Chicago Country Music Festival were incorporated into the Taste of Chicago rather planned as stand-alone events. See who participated at the 2012 Taste of Chicago. We will update this page with the list of 2013 performers as soon as receive information on this year's musical acts.
Getting to the Taste of Chicago 2013:
Grant Park is a short walk heading east from the Red and Blue line subway stops in the Loop. CTA bus lines #145 or #151 also stop near the Taste of Chicago. If you drive, there are nearby garages including the Millennium Park Garage off of Columbus Drive between Randolph and Monroe; the Monroe Street Garage (Monroe and Columbus); and the Grant Park Garage off of Michigan Avenue at Madison or Randolph. Garage prices average $30 for all-day parking. For more information on these parking garages, visit the Millennium Garages website. Also check out our Taking Public Transporation in Chicago Guide.
Taste of Chicago 2013 Food Vendors:
Nearly 60 restaurants usually participate at the Taste of Chicago. Each vendor serves six items, two of which are special “Taste of” sample-size portions. Tip: Check out 2011's list of Taste of Chicago vendors to get an idea of the types of restaurants that particpate. Because of the change from 10 days to five days this year, it is not certain which restaurants will return. (Suggest reading: Common Food Allergies l Food Poisoning Symptoms and More l What Are Processed Foods
Addtional Information on the Taste of Chicago 2013:
All concerts and events are free are charge. There is limited seating for concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell, which has general admission seating on a first come, first serve basis. No tickets are required. Seating usually opens 30 minutes before showtime. Don't get a seat? Don't worry. The Petrillo Music Shell has a a huge screen - a "Jumbotron" - for those sitting in the lawn. Dogs are not allowed at the Taste of Chicago. Neither are personal coolers.
