Two iconic Chicago food festivals are taking over the city this weekend, and both kick off Wednesday.
The 46th annual Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park starting Wednesday, with more than 80 food vendors, live performances and even a giant Eli’s Cheesecake.
On the west side, the country music and BBQ festival Windy City Smokeout starts outside the United Center, with road closures already in place.
NBC Chicago traffic reporter Kye Martin said commuters can expect to see heavy traffic and more passengers on trains as the event kicks off and through the weekend.
Weather the most part will be quiet for the festivals, aside from Thursday night, when a system could bring heavy downpours and gusty winds in the evening and afternoon.
“We’ll need to watch that,” NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman said.
Here’s what to know about each.
Taste of Chicago
The famous summertime tradition has returned to July after being held in September the last several years. The iconic event, typically held around the Fourth of July, was moved to September in 2023 to accommodate the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.
After two years, the city said it would move back to July, with NASCAR pausing the Chicago race for 2026.
The festival has free admission, with food vendors accepting credit cards on site. No food tickets will be sold. It also features family-friendly events, including a ferris wheel, drone show, karaoke and more. Headliners for the Taste of Chicago include Beach Bunny, Common, Babyface and Julieta Venegas.
Gates for the Taste of Chicago open starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday. From there, hours for the festival each day will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sunday.
The following street closures are in effect. All streets will reopen to traffic on Monday, July 13, at 11:59 p.m.
Street closures around Grant Park
Columbus from Monroe to Balbo Ida B. Wells from Columbus to Semi Circle Jackson from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive Columbus from Balbo to RooseveltA full list of performers and food vendors can be found here.
Windy City Smokeout
The popular country music and BBQ festival begins Wednesday outside the United Center.
Wristbands are required for the festival, which features live music performances and award-winning BBQ from pitmasters across the country. Prices start at $84.99 for a one-day general admission.
The lineup of performers for the five-day festival includes Hootie and the Blowfish, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis and Blake Shelton. Streets in front of the United Center, including side streets, are closed for the event, with takedown and closures lasting through next week.
Street closures around the United Center
Through Tuesday, July 14 at noon
Warren: from Wood to Damen (two lanes) Madison from Damen to Wood Wood from Madison to Warren Washington from Wood to Wolcott (south curb lane)The festival kicks off Wednesday at 4 p.m. Full festival hours are below:
Wednesday, July 8: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
Thursday, July 9: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
Friday, July 10: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
Saturday, July 11: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
Sunday, July 12: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
More details can be found here.
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Hence then, the article about 2 iconic summer festivals begin what to know about the taste of chicago windy city smokeout was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 2 iconic summer festivals begin: What to know about the Taste of Chicago, Windy City Smokeout )
Also on site :
- Hot French startup ZML releases free product to speed inference across lots of AI chips
- Watch 'America's Got Talent' Judges Get Blown Away by 'Insane' Tumbling Act That Has Been 67 Years in the Making
- Taylor Swift’s Retro Reebok Sneakers From Her ‘Opalite’ Music Video Are a Rare 53% Off at Amazon Right Now