A Chicago Tradition Continues As The Annual Taste of Chicago Returns To Chicago’s Lakefront For It’s 45th Anniversary Featuring Lupe Fiasco, JoJo & Elvis Crespo

Sep 04, 2025 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

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THE 45^th ANNUAL TASTE OF CHICAGO RETURNS TO GRANT PARK SEPT. 5-7 WITH THREE DAYS OF FOOD, MUSIC AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES—OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 11 A.M. TO 9 P.M. EACH DAY

Annual festival features musical performances by headlining artists Lupe Fiasco (Friday, Sept. 5), JoJo (Saturday. Sept. 6), Elvis Crespo (Sunday, Sept. 7); more than 50 food vendors; family-friendly experiences; daily Ferris wheel rides

Saturday, Sept. 6, exclusive moments include Run Mag Mile run/walk (7 a.m.), Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration (12 p.m.) and evening drone and fireworks show (8 p.m.)

WHO:                 The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)

WHAT:               Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest food festival, returns to Grant Park for the culmination of summer in Chicago. Free and open to the public, this year’s Taste of Chicago features more than 50 local food vendors and food trucks representing Chicago’s diverse culinary scene and unique beverage experiences. This year’s Taste of Chicago is a cashless event. All vendors will accept credit and debit payments.

In addition to the plethora of food options, visitors can enjoy live music performances on the Main Stage from exciting cross-genre and chart-topping artists, as well as local performers on the Goose Island Stage. The weekend also includes family-friendly activity areas, public art displays, interactive games, Ferris wheel rides, free dance lessons, a ceremonial giant cake cutting to celebrate the 45^thbirthday of Eli’s Cheesecake and Saturday evening hometown pride drone and fireworks show.

WHEN:              Friday, Sept. 5 – Sunday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

WHERE:           Grant Park – Jackson St. & Columbus Dr.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

SATURDAY ONLY EXPERIENCES

• Run Mag Mile – 7 a.m. at Buckingham Fountain
  • 6,500 participants will take off for the sold-out 5K and 10K run/walk starting from inside Taste of Chicago followed by special access brunch and musical performances to select Taste vendors – 

• Eli’s Cheesecake 45^th Birthday Giant Cake Cutting – 12 p.m. at SummerDance Stage
  • Celebrity Cake Cutters:
    • Lupe Fiasco (Grammy-winning rapper and producer)
    • Sarah Ramos (actress, The Bear)
    • Karen Rodriguez (actress, The Hunting Wives)
      
• Drone and Fireworks Show – 8 p.m. over Lake Michigan
  • Hometown Pride show will light up the night sky to close out Saturday evening with a fusion of technology, music and pyrotechnics!

FRIDAY – SUNDAY EXPERIENCES

• Local restaurants, food vendors and food trucks. Full vendor list HERE.

• Ferris Wheel rides: $10 per child, $12 per adult
  
• Taste of Karaoke and Chicago Neighborhood Trivia competition

• Main Stage musical performances starting at 5 p.m. each day, headliners starting at 7 p.m.  Full performance lineupHERE.
  • Headliners:
    • Friday, Sept. 5 – Lupe Fiasco
    • Saturday, Sept. 6 – JoJo
    • Sunday, Sept. 7 – Elvis Crespo
      
• Goose Island Stage featuring local and emerging musical artists. Full lineup HERE.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA:  TasteofChicago.us ⃓ @ChicagoDCASE

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

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• 45th anniversary, Chicago, DCASE, Eli's Cheesecake, Elvis Crespo, Grant Park, JoJo, Lupe Fiasco, Music and Food Festival, Taste of Chicago

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