Sites & Bites: Summer Street Festivals

When the nicer, summer weather finally starts rolling in to Chicago, it's almost impossible to stay inside. Streets from Halsted to Broadway to Randolph come alive, buzzing with resurrected inhabitants and smells of BBQ fresh from walk-ups lucky enough to have a porch. By any other means, it is officially street festival season in Chicago.

Here's an official lineup of all the foodie festivals coming to a street near you:

Chicago Food Truck Fest

Dates: Saturday, June 24 - Sunday, June 25

Times: 11 am - 7 pm

Location: 1600 S. Wabash Ave (South Loop)

For more info click here.

*They are sold out of free general admission tickets, so you'll have to buy VIP tickets ($10). Here's the link to buy tickets.*

Windy City Ribfest in Uptown

Dates: Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2

Times: Friday & Saturday: Noon to 10 pm; Sunday: Noon to 9 pm

Location: Lawrence & Broadway (4800 N. Broadway St.)

*TASTE OF CHICAGO*

Dates: Wednesday, July 5 - Sunday, July 9

Location: Grant Park (Jackson & Columbus )

*Admission to Taste of Chicago is free, but food and beverage tickets are sold in strips of 12 tickets. Most items cost between 2 and 12 tickets each. Save yourself multiple trips back to the ticket booth and buy a lot at once! Trust us, you'll want everything*

Chicago Margarita Fest

Dates: Saturday, July 8 - Sunday, July 9

Times: Saturday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sunday: Noon - 7:00 pm

Location: Navy Pier (600 E Grand Ave)

*The festival will also feature chef-prepared gourmet eats and a fire work show over the lake synchronized to music. Drink tickets are strongly encouraged to be purchased in advance ($40 for 5 margarita tickets). Tickets can be bought at the gate or bought online here.*

Roscoe Village Burger Fest

Dates: Saturday, July 8 - Sunday, July 9

Times: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Location: Belmont & Damen, Roscoe Village (2000 W Belmont Ave.)

Windy City Smokeout

Dates: Friday, July 14 - Sunday, July 16

Times: Friday: Gates open at 2pm; Saturday: Gates open at 12pm; Sunday: Gates open at 12pm

Location: 560 W Grand Ave

For more info click here

*This is also a huge country concert! Like Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Clayton Anderson, Eli Young Band huge. Buy tickets online ($40 GA)!*

Taste of River North

Dates: Friday, July 21 - Sunday, July 23

Times: Friday: 5 pm-10 pm; Saturday: Noon-10 pm; Sunday: 11am-8 pm

Location: Ward Park at the corner of N. Kingsbury and W. Erie

*Big & Little's is participating!*

Chicago Craft Beer Fest

Dates: Saturday, July 22 - Sunday, July 23

Times: Noon to 10:00 p.m. Daily (Tasting Times 11:30 am to 4:00 pm daily)

Location: Sheffield & Webster, Lincoln Park (1010 W Webster Ave.)

*Buy tasting session tickets online! The more people you have to go with, the cheaper they are! Here's the link*

North Halsted Market Days

Dates: Saturday, August 12 - Sunday, August 13

Times: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Location: N. Halsted Street, between Belmont and Addison (3400 N Halsted St.)

*It's the 36th anniversary this year and AKA the largest outdoor street festival in the Midwest!*

Taste of Greektown

Dates: Friday, August 25 - Sunday, August 27

Times: Friday: 4pm to 11pm; Saturday & Sunday: Noon to 11pm

Location: 400 S. Halsted St.

*Athena, one of Courtney's favorite restaurants, is participating!*

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Let us know which ones you go to this summer! Lord knows there are plenty. You might be just lucky enough to see the Chicago Chubbies on the scene.

This post will be updated when we find out more festivals!