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ILLINOIS:  January  -  February  -  March  -  April  -  MAY  -  June  -  July  -  August  -  September  -  October  -  November/December

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

2023 ILLINOIS - MAY 2023
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
(see also: 2022  -  2020  -  2019  -  2017  -   2015)

May 5, 2023
School Lunch Hero Day
Nationwide
A chance to showcase the difference school nutrition professionals make for every child who comes through the cafeteria.

May 6-7, 2023
Wine on the Fox
Oswego, Illinois
Illinois wineries serving tastes of their finest wines, live music, and culinary delights along the banks of the Fox River are sure to make the Wine on the Fox a must attend annual event.

May 8-11, 2023  25th Annual Food Safety Summit - Rosemont, Illinois
This three-day event features a full program of intensive educational seminars, highlevel industry and government keynote speakers, workshops, networking events and a large trade show exhibition.

May 12, 2023  WhiskyFest Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
WhiskyFest is the longest running whisky festival in the country.  WhiskyFest offers you the opportunity to taste from a selection of more than 350 whiskies from around the world; many of them rare and exclusive. Meet the whisky makers at their booths to learn first-hand how the whiskies are made. Take some time to enjoy the never-ending gourmet buffet.

May 14, 2023 - MOTHER’S DAY - Nationwide
Most restaurants in the U.S. have special events scheduled for today, and are too numerous to list.

May 19-21, 2023  Chocolate Fest - Long Grove, Illinois
Three days of live music, family activities, chocolate vendors, and chocolate experiences!  Tickets, which are only $5.  An amazing array of chocolate – • Vendors from far and near will be dishing out delectable treats like chocolate donuts, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate cupcakes, cake pops, cocoa bombs, chocolate truffles, chocolate croissants, chocolate eclairs, chocolate macarons, hand-dipped fine chocolates, chocolate covered funnel cakes, chocolate popcorn, chocolate cotton candy, frozen hot chocolate, and much more.  • New Chocolate Tasting Experiences; • Live Entertainment and music sprinkled throughout the historic town, from stripped down acoustic artists to Chicago’s biggest party bands; • Dedicated Children’s Area with complimentary throwback games and thrilling entertainment.

May 20, 2023  69th IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Celebration
Chicago, Illinois
International Foodservice Manufacturers Association Gold & Silver Plate Awards, Recognizing Excellence Through the Premier Awards for Foodservice Operators.
 

May 20-23, 2023  The National Restaurant Association Show
Chicago, Illinois
The National Restaurant Association Show: The International Foodservice Marketplace.  The largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals in the Western Hemisphere.   Attendance: 60,000.

May 20-23, 2023  A Taste of the States: Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
NASDA’s newly branded A Taste of the States: Chicago joins the National Restaurant Association Show in providing U.S. food and beverage companies the opportunity to engage with thousands of buyers in the restaurant, lodging, and foodservice industry. The Show successfully combines an impressive collection of unique food and beverage products, cutting-edge technology, and equipment with the latest in restaurant and lodging trends.  Attendance: 60,000.

May 21, 2023  33rd Annual Rhubarb Festival - Kankakee, Illinois
Hosted by the Kankakee County Historical Society at Small Memorial Park.  Join us as we celebrate the pie plant! There will be vendors, rhubarb and strawberry-rhubarb pies for sale, a baking contest, dime toss, tours of the Taylor one-room Schoolhouse and historic Dr. Small Home, and more.

May 22-25, 2023  Sweets & Snacks Expo - Chicago, Illinois
The SWEETS & SNACKS EXPO, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, is among the largest confectionery, cookie and snack shows, and the only show featuring attendance from every major trade channel.  Attendance: 14,000.
 

2022 ILLINOIS - MAY 2022
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events waiting for new dates

May 13, 2022  Annual Beer Under Glass - Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Union Station.  Beer Under Glass, the signature festival and fundraiser that kicks off Illinois Craft Beer Week, returns! And this year, we’re taking BUG to new heights – literally – with a new twist on the classic event. This one-of-a-kind evening of craft beer pairs samples from more than 110 Illinois craft breweries with the history and architectural marvel of the iconic venue. Guests will go on a statewide exploration, mingling with brewers from their favorite craft beer spots as they sample timeless favorites and discover new treasures.

May 13-20, 2022  Illinois Craft Beer Week - Various locations, Illinois
With a powerhouse lineup of in-person events and hybrid activities to support local breweries and jump start the craft beer season!  From our new twist on Beer Under Glass to our first-ever Keep the Glass Fundraiser, we’re celebrating the of breweries from Chicago to Downstate and honoring everyone who brews Illinois beer, drinks Illinois beer, and supports Illinois beer!

May 20-22, 2022  Chicago Craft Beer Festival - Chicago, Illinois
Highlights include daily afternoon tastings where visitors who purchase a pass can sample from a pool of more than 40 specialty beers lovingly crafted by 35-plus local, regional and national breweries. Tasting ticket holders are also encouraged to savor the day before or after the tastings by enjoying a meal (or more brews) at PB&J while listening to some great hits on their jukeboxes.

May 21, 2022  Chicago Spring Tequila Tasting Festival
Chicago, Illinois
Calling all tequila lovers and connoisseurs... Take your taste buds on a flavor adventure at The Spring Tequila Tasting Festival.  From Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, or even Mezcal… your taste buds will be in heaven as you sample dozens of amazing tequila & agave varieties.  Now the real question is… which brand and variety will give you the mouthfeel and leave your taste buds asking for more?
 

2020 ILLINOIS - MAY 2020
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events waiting for new dates

May 4, 2020  Midwest Morel Fest - Ottawa, Illinois
NO FESTIVAL IN 2020.  Learn, Hunt, Auction - for Morel Mushrooms during Ottawa's Midwest Morel Fest! This unique festival offers something for everyone from the mushroom enthusiast to the curious observer!

May 27-June 4, 2020
Young Cattlemen's Conference
Chicago, Illinois
The primary objective is to develop leadership qualities in young cattlemen and women and expose them to all aspects of the beef industry. The tour will begin in Denver with a comprehensive overview of the industry.  JBS Five Rivers’ Kuner Feedyard, one of the nation’s largest cattle feeding operations, a one-time capacity of over 100,000 head located in Northern Colorado. We will then tour the JBS Greeley facility, one of the nation’s largest beef packing and processing plants.  Chicago is the next destination, where the group will visit the Chicago Board of Trade & OSI, Inc. one of the nation’s premiere beef patty manufacturers. The participants will then travel to the nation’s Capitol, where they will meet with their respective congressmen and senators.

May 28-30, 2020
Annual Taste of Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Celebrate all that Glen Ellyn has to offer during 3 days of great food, music and fun!  The Taste of Glen Ellyn is a family event featuring live entertainment, The Village Fair with rides, a craft festival and a business expo.  Enjoy dishes from local restaurants and vendors while
 

2019 ILLINOIS - MAY 2019
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events waiting for new dates

May 5, 2019 - Mushroom Festival - Grafton, Illinois
It’s back! The Mushroom Festival is returning to Pere Marquette Lodge and will be bigger than ever before. Come listen to live music, browse venders, grab lunch in the restaurant, taste local wines and learn all there is to know about mushrooms. The Great Morel Hunt will be held at 1 pm (weather and morel permitting).  Join fellow hunters from all over the area as they scan the ground for these delicious delicacies. Then bring your finds back to The Lodge and you could win a great prize! Find the smallest morel, the largest morel or the most morels and you just might go home with a free nights stay

May 31-June 2, 2019 - Taste of Mexico - Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has a global reputation for its top Michelin and Zagat-rated restaurants. Perhaps because of the huge Mexican population, Mexican cuisine ranks high on the list of Zagat Chicago favorites. No matter how you slice it, the fact remains: Chicagoans are absolutely crazy for Mexican food.    Authentic Mexican food is the event's main focus. The cities' and the regions' award winning Mexican restaurants and chefs will set up outdoor kitchens in the events Restaurant Row and serve up small plates of their signature dishes for bargain prices. The culinary emphasis in Restaurant Row is authenticity.    The event features three stages: a Main Stage with big entertainment, a Culinary Stage where participating chefs will demonstrate recipes and compete for Top Chef award, and a Showcase Stage where dance troupes, orchestras and brass bands from area high schools or colleges perform.
 

2017 ILLINOIS - MAY 2017
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events still waiting for new dates

May 27-28, 2017  Greek & Mediterranean Wine Festival
Chicago, Illinois
Think of it as a pairing of grapes and gyros. Or grapes and moussaka. When Greektown Mediterranean Wine Fest makes its alluring debut this spring in Chicago's West Loop, scores of European wines will be celebrated along with tasty dishes from the neighborhood's iconic Greek restaurants.  This classy Hellenic-themed happening is designed for wine and food connoisseurs be they newbies or those with more discriminating tastes. A cornerstone of the fest will be daily afternoon wine tastings (from 2:00-6:00 p.m.) where ticket holders can sample up to 15 varietals with the purchase of a $40 tasting pass.
 

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

May 2, 2015  Green City Market Opening Day - Chicago, Illinois
Chicago's nationally renowned Green City Market will host top chefs from around the country when it opens its 17th outdoor market season Saturday, May 2. Green City Market, located in Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive (approximately 1817 N. Clark) provides organic and sustainably raised products for well over 200,000 shoppers annually including Chicago's top chefs, residents and visitors.  In honor of the 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards, visiting chefs will gather and be joined by Chicago's chef community at Green City Market beginning at 9:30 a.m. The market opens at 7 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday.

May 16, 2015  Gardenology - Geneva, Illinois
Ideas, Advice & Dreams for your garden. Specialists and master gardeners will be in downtown Geneva to answer questions.  Topics include herbs, flowers, vegetables, heirloom plants and perennials.  Learn about attracting birds & butterflies, wildlife control, composting, organic fertilizers and more. Kids’ activities offered.

May 17-18, 2015  International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event
Chicago, Illinois
At the NRA Show.  The International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event brings restaurant and hospitality industry buyers together with hundreds of established and emerging labels to connect and uncover ways that beverage alcohol can enhance menus and drive profitability.   Attendance: 58,000.