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Check previous year if event is not yet updated to current year

2022 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2022
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows, Events
(see also: 2021  -  2020  -  2019  -  2015  -  2014  -  2008)

August , 2022
40th Annual Taste of Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
EVENT CANCELED FOR 2022.  Takes place on the Peoria riverfront. In addition to a variety of food samples, the event features free live entertainment on two stages.

August 5-6, 2022
Annual Cobden Peach Festival
Cobden, Illinois
The festival celebrates the area's peach harvest with a parade, carnival, pageant, 5k run/walk, homemade peach desserts, and lots of fresh peaches!

August 5-7, 2022 - Festa Italiana - Naperville, Illinois
We are thrilled to announce that Festa Italiana is returning better than ever, to Naperville, IL at the amazing Naper Settlement. Festa Italiana is a showcase of authentic Italian culture, music, food, artisans, and so much more! With thousands of attendees each year, we’re proud to celebrate our fourth year of Festa, and are excited to present a 3 day extravaganza with 2 stages (Italian & rock), family friendly entertainment, artists, and the celebrated Zoppé Family Circus. Feast your eyes on amazing dancers, singers, and circus performers, and then feast on the best Italian food Illinois has to offer.  Attendance: 50,000

August 5-7, 2022  Serb Fest - Chicago, Illinois
Enjoy live music, sample bbq lamb/pig hot off the spit, indulge in homemade strudels, crepes, and donuts.  Check out kids activities and cultural tours.  Bring the entire family to enjoy a taste of Serbia.

August 11-14, 2022  65th Sycamore Steam Show & Threshing Bee
Sycamore, Illinois
Operational steam engines, old tractors, small utility engines, and miniature train rides are the featured attractions at the 60th annual festival.

August 11-14, 2022  75th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival
Mendota, Illinois
Tons of free, hot, buttered, delicious Del Monte sweet corn will be the highlight of the annual Sweet Corn Festival  The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the gigantic undertaking of hosting over 60,000 visitors, who consume nearly 50 tons of sweet corn during the festival weekend.  Free musical entertainment is in abundance. The Crafters Market Place and flea market features over 200 dealers in hand made crafts and unique merchandise. There is a Queen Pageant, beer garden with live bands, grand parade and a carnival with rides and games for both adults and children, plus much more.  The midways are lined with food booths, featuring a multitude of ethnic, regional and festival foods, but the "BIG EVENT" is the serving of the free Del Monte sweet corn on Sunday afternoon. For over 70 years, it has been cooked to its golden goodness with the help of a vintage steam engine.  The good times are waiting, the welcome mat is out, come to Mendota for one of the Midwest's oldest and largest harvest festivals.  Attendance: 60,000.

August 11-21, 2022  Illinois State Fair - Springfield, Illinois
The annual showcase of Illinois agriculture and unique entertainment includes Illinoisans of the Day, a parade, more than 100 rides, Conservation World, Ethnic Village, Illinois Wine Experience, and horse racing on one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world. Don't miss the Butter Cow, in which 500 pounds of butter are used to sculpt a life size figure.   Attendance: 700,000.

August 13-14, 2022  Chicago Fried Chicken Fest - Chicago, Illinois
Fried chicken takes center stage at this new Lincoln Park festival! In addition to delicious, crunchy fried chicken, there will be live music, plenty of tasty beverages and so much more! Details coming soon!

August 18-19, 2022  U.S. Apple Association Outlook 2022
Chicago, Illinois
Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference. The premier event of the year for the apple industry.
 

August 19-21, 2022  RibFest Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
One of Chicago’s most iconic events is back bigger than ever!  Finger lickin' slabs from some of the best local and national ribbers will be in the spotlight at this popular summer food/street fest.  A rockin' 3-day music stage lineup featuring some of the hottest local and national rock/pop and classic indie acts as well as local tribute bands!  This "saucy" happening also features arts & crafts, a daytime play area for kids, plus beer and wine.

August 26-28, 2022  Taste of Greektown - Chicago, Illinois
Hellenic pride will take center stage when this acclaimed annual culinary fest on Halsted Street in Chicago’s happening West Loop returns for its 29th year.  Blending Old World traditions with a 21st century freshness, the tantalizing food and spirits from neighborhood eateries will again be the main attraction. There will also be plenty of music and entertainment including Greek bands and games for both kids and families. Opa!

August 26-28, 2022  44th DeKalb Corn Fest - DeKalb, Illinois
Over 100,000 people come to enjoy the food and listen to the music at Corn Fest each year. Over 70 tons of sweet corn are consumed each year by visitors flocking to downtown DeKalb, Illinois for this fun-filled festival.  Attendance: 100,000.

August 27, 2022  Zoo Brew - Brookfield, Illinois
Enjoy bears and beers, lions and lagers, aardvarks and ales...all at Brookfield Zoo's annual ZooBrew - a one-of-a-kind, 21 and over*, unique beer-tasting event featuring over 80 beers!  Enjoy live music, bid on silent auction items from our participating breweries! Tickets are limited, so get yours today and come party with the animals!
 

2021 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2021
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows, Events
events waiting for new dates

August -, 2021 - Veggie Fest Chicago - Lisle, Illinois
EVENT CANCELED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS.  Veggie Fest Chicago is one of the largest veggie food and wellness festivals in North America!  It’s a free & family fun festival celebrating the joy, science, food, and compassion behind the vegetarian lifestyle.  Not just for vegetarians, Veggie Fest is for everyone! Whether you’re a long-time vegetarian/vegan, or you want to learn how to add more plant-based foods to your diet, or you’re just looking to have a great time, this is the summer festival for you.  Visit our acclaimed international food court and food demos from leading chefs. Enjoy talks from recognized speakers and doctors sharing the latest research on health and wellness. The Children’s Tent, Yoga Tent, and Meditation Tent are unsurpassed. If you just want to kick back and enjoy a summer’s day, we have live music from some of the best bands in Chicago.  Free registration and parking!  Attendance: 17,000.

August 20-21, 2021  Taste of River North - Chicago, Illinois
Known for its diverse mix of restaurants, artists and innovative businesses, the River North neighborhood is unlike any in Chicago.   For one extended weekend this summer, the area's best will come together for the ultimate neighborhood showcase, the annual Taste of River North (ToRN).  50,000 festers are expected to turn out for this year's three day bash, which encompasses the picturesque riverfront setting of A. Montgomery Ward Park and the surrounding streets.   Boasting an impressive list of River North restaurants and chefs, ToRN also includes non-stop live music, featuring bands and music that excites everyone.  Attendance: 50,000.
 

2020 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2020
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows, Events
events waiting for new dates

August -, 2020  Chicago Hot Dog Fest - Chicago, Illinois
EVENT CANDELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS.  The Chicago-style hot dog is a quintessential part of Chicago’s storied history, celebrating its premier at the 1893 World’s Fair. Now in its seventh year, the Chicago Hot Dog Fest has become one of the largest festivals in the world to honor the red hot.  More than 30,000 people attend this picnic in the park annually to relish the interesting twists and unique red-hot recipes from more than a dozen vendors. With more than 35,000 hot dogs served each year, there’s something on the menu for everyone.  While fans fill up on mouthwatering encased meats, cold beer and decadent desserts, a tasty lineup of local and touring bands will take the Main Stage to keep the party going as well as craft activities and games for the whole family. Hot dog and city historians will provide historic entertainment on the Speaker Stage, while family-friendly performances entertain kids throughout the weekend.  Held just steps from, and benefiting, the Chicago History Museum, it has all the ingredients of an exceptional summer event.  Attendance: 30,000.

August 13-16, 2020 - Little Italy Festa - Chicago, Illinois
EVENT POSTPONED TO 2021 DUE TO CORONAVIRUS.  Chicago's Little Italy Festa - Taylor Street.  This celebration of Italian culture combines authentic Italian food specialties with unique, top-line entertainment and has become the number one Italian festival in the Chicago area. Approximately 20,000 festival goers each year enjoy beautiful European décor, delicious Italian foods , and top-notch entertainment provided by famous Italian American singers and performers from around the nation.     Attendance: 20,000.

August 29-30, 2020 - Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest - Chicago, Illinois
It’s a tasty combination! Stuffed tortillas and the juices of the blue agave plant (better known to distilled spirits aficionados as tequila) will be taking the spotlight at this June’s ALL-NEW Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest.  Both traditional and exotic ingredient-stuffed tortillas will be smartly paired with tequila-infused cocktails ranging from the classic margarita to the trendy grapefruit-flavored Paloma, zesty Sangre Maria, and ginger and berry-infused El Diablo.  The fest will also feature ticketed tastings, mixologists and DJ beats.
 

2019 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2019
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows, Events
events waiting for new dates

August 11, 2019
Peach Festival
Grafton, Illinois
Nothing pairs better than a warm, summer day and a ripe, juicy peach! The Peach Festival will feature local famers displaying their delicious local peaches as well as some of those famous Calhoun Peaches hand picked that morning and still warm from the sunshine. Come on out to the Pere Marquette State Park, and join us for an afternoon of fun, festivities and peaches. There will be live entertainment, craft vendors, tons of family friendly fun and all the ripe, juicy peaches you can eat!

August 16-17, 2019
Taste of Champaign-Urbana
Champaign, Illinois
Discover the fun that awaits you at the Champaign Park District's premiere festival of the summer! It's fun for the whole family and it benefits a great cause, the Youth Scholarship Fund.

August 23-24, 2019
44th Annual Urbana Sweet Corn Festival
Urbana, Illinois
Each year this festival is frequented by as many as 50,000 individuals from both Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding communities in Central Illinois. This festival is also the official welcome for incoming and returning University of Illinois students. All the local Illinois sweetcorn you can eat is the main attraction of this festival! There will also be live music both nights on two different stages from both regional and national headliners. Car enthusiasts can look forward to the Motor Muster Car Show, a showcase of vintage automobiles. For children and families we have Action Inflatables, a rock climbing wall, indoor laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo along with all of the quality merchandise and delicious food from our vendors.  Attendance: 50,000.

August 24-25, 2019  Naperville Wine Festival - Naperville, Illinois
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
 

2015 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2015
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows, Events
events still waiting for new dates

August 22-23, 2015  Bash on Wabash - Chicago, Illinois
On Haitus for 2015.  We are taking a break this summer to focus on promoting other South Loop events.
 

2014 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2014
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events still waiting for new dates

August 7-17, 2014  Illinois Wine Experience - Springfield, Illinois
Come and taste wines from nearly 20 Illinois wineries and enjoy live entertainment. Held daily at the Illinois State Fair, the event is sponsored by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners. Illinois is consistently among the top 12 wine producing states.
Attendance: 700,000.

August 23, 2014  Bacon, Sports and Beer Celebration - Chicago, Illinois
With a ticket to the Bacon, Sports & Beer Celebration once you are in everything is included. You get unlimited tastings of bacon inspired creations from 20+ of Chicago’s top restaurants, a healthy dose of beer tastings from 25+ craft breweries, plus a whole lot of fun, activities, and sports goodness.

August 23-24, 2014  Bash on Wabash - Chicago, Illinois
On Haitus for 2015.  We are taking a break this summer to focus on promoting other South Loop events.
 

2008 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2008
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events still waiting for new dates

August 23, 2008  Marengo vs. Harvard Sweet Corn Throwdown
Harvard & Marengo, Illinois
This event was developed to encourage people to become "locavores" by using a friendly community-based cooking challenge featuring local sweet corn growers. Harvard residents are required to use Mirai sweet corn from Twin Garden Farms in Harvard and Marengo residents are required to use sweet corn from Cody's Farm Fresh Vegetables from Purdom Farms in Marengo. Contestants can enter up to three of the five categories, which include Appetizers, Main Dish, Salad/Side Dish, Baked Goods/Dessert, and Miscellaneous.