Taste of the towns: Food-centric festivals satisfy hungry festgoers

Of course, every festival offers tasty tidbits of some sort, but not every fest makes food the main focus. Here are upcoming festivals through Labor Day with food right in the title.

Long Grove Strawberry Fest: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, June 26; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 27; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, in Historic Downtown Long Grove. Naturally, this annual fest is all about strawberry treats in the form of daiquiris, chocolate-dipped strawberries, shakes, popcorn, strawberry rhubarb pie, cookies, candies and more. Plus, there’s strawberry-inspired merchandise, concerts, a carnival and more. $7. longgrove.org/festival/strawberry-fest.

Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, June 26, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at 2555 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Sample a variety of tacos and premium tequilas from local vendors. Music headliners include Too Hype Crew at 8 p.m. Friday and Rod Tuffcurls & The Benchpress at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $15. chicagoevents.com.

Duke’s Blues-N-BBQ Festival: 5-11 p.m. Friday, June 26; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 27; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Carpenter Park, 300 Carpenter Blvd., Carpentersville. Take in a weekend full of barbecue, smoked meats, blues bands and a car show on Sunday. Hosted by Taste the Love nonprofit. Free. facebook.com/DukesBluesNbbq.

Honey Festival: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road, Aurora. The fourth annual festival celebrating honey and bees features more than 50 vendors, food, beverages, kids’ arts and crafts, live music and more. $5 for kids 2 or older. abbeyfarms.org.

Taste of Grayslake Family Picnic and Fireworks: 3-10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, in Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. Try tastes from local vendors such as BBQ Productions, Grayslake Dog n Suds, Johnny Boys Mini Donuts, Rainbow Cone, Your Sister’s Tomato, Glunz Family Winery and Cellars, Ingrid’s Tasty Treats, Barones Restaurant, Cousins Maine Lobster and more. Plus, there will be carnival rides, live bands, fireworks and more. Free. glpd.com.

Taste of Oak Brook and fireworks: 4-10 p.m. Friday, July 3, at the Village Sports Core Fields, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook. Gates open at 2 p.m. Come hungry, as Oak Brook restaurants will be offering a variety of bites and Alter Brewing + Kitchen is hosting an expanded beer garden. Stick around for music from Whiskey Friends: The Morgan Wallen Experience from 4-6 p.m. and Sixteen Candles from 7:30-9 p.m. The drone show starts at 9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks. Parking is $20-$50. oak-brook.org.

Taste of Chicago: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, July 8-12, in Grant Park, Chicago. Really, come hungry to this annual food bonanza that’s been around since 1980. From Badou Senegalese Cuisine to Lexington Betty Smoke House to Esperanza Kitchen Delights to Harold’s Chicken 55 to Star Of Siam, there are dozens of Chicago restaurants that will be selling their signature favorites. Plus, there will be chef demonstrations, food trucks and family-friendly activities. Headliners include Beach Bunny at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Original Koffee at 7 p.m. Thursday, Common at 7 p.m. Friday, Babyface at 7 p.m. Saturday and Julieta Venegas at 7 p.m. Sunday. Free. chicago.gov.

Windy City Smokeout: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 8; 2-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 9-10; and 1-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, outside the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Dine on barbecue from over 20 vendors at this annual country music bash. Music headliners include Treaty Oak Revival on Wednesday, Hootie & The Blowfish on Thursday, Lainey Wilson on Friday, Jordan Davis on Saturday and Blake Shelton on Sunday. Tickets start at $84.99, free for kids 10 and younger with a paying adult. windycitysmokeout.com.

20th annual Lake in the Hills Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest: 4:30-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 9-10; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 11; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. Professional pitmasters — Cowboys BBQ & Rib Co., Pigfoot BBQ & Rib Co., Texas Outlaw BBQ, Porky Chicks BBQ, After Hours BBQ, Texas Lightning BBQ and House of Brisket — will be serving up a variety of barbecue. Rib judging is at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Music features Kashmir at 9 p.m. Thursday; Too Hype Crew at 9 p.m. Friday; Mr. Speed at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Hello Weekend at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. $10, $5 for seniors, and free for active military with ID and kids 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. rockinrotaryribfest.com.

Taste of Westmont: 5-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9; 5-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 10; noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 12, on Cass Avenue, from Burlington Avenue to Naperville Road, Westmont. Of course there will be food from local restaurants, plus live music on two stages, a carnival,​ a Muddy Waters tribute and blues jam from 1-4 p.m. Sunday and more. westmontevents.com/taste-of-westmont.

Blind Flight Outdoor Beer Tasting: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. The Carpentersville Morning Rotary Club hosts a picnic-style craft beer tasting for $40 featuring samples from Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Sew Hop’d Brewery, Moor’s Brewing Co., Emmett’s Brewing Co., Black & Gray Brewing Co., More Brewing Co., Lucky Monk and Crystal Lake Brewing. No manches! and Duke’s Blues-n-BBQ will be serving food. carpentersvillerotary.org.

Roscoe Village Burger Fest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 17, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, at 2000 W. Belmont, Chicago. Order up a burger or two from over a dozen Chicago restaurants. Dig in while listening to music from Hello Weekend, Southern Accents, Mr. Blotto, 16 Candles, and Mike & Joe. $10 donation. chicagoevents.com.

Taste of River North: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 17, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at River North, 627 N. Wells St., Chicago. Showcasing the neighborhood’s vibrant culinary scene. Dog Parade on Saturday morning. Headliners: Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press, Fletcher Rockwell, Funky Monks, and Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute. $10 donation benefits River North Residents Association. chicagoevents.com.

Highwood Days Carnival and Taste of Highwood: Hours TBA Friday through Sunday, July 17-19, at the Downtown Highwood Metra Station Parking Lot, 406 Sheridan Road, Highwood, and Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. Carnival with rides, games, live music and more. Taste of Highwood brings together local restaurants and specialty food operations. Includes Highwood 5K Family Run, Walk & Stroll at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18. 5K: $45, 1-mile walk: $25. celebratehighwood.org.

Lombard Brew Fest: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at 150 W. Parkside Ave., Lombard. Featuring a variety of special beers, ciders and hard seltzers from the Chicago area and the Midwest. Music by Socially Acceptable. $55; $65 or $75 for VIP early entry; and $25 for designated driver (limited to one nonalcoholic beer and water and soft drinks). Each ticket includes 20, 3-ounce samples and a souvenir tasting glass. lombardbrewfest.com.

Bags, Brew and BBQ: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Wilder Park, 175 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Order from food trucks including Kori’s Koop, Kissed by Fire BBQ and Mario’s Cart, all while enjoying bags, drinks and music. It’s 21 and older only. Free. epd.org.

Food Truck Round Up: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Metropolitan Square on Lee Street, Des Plaines, and Aug. 18 at the Des Plaines Library Plaza, 1501 Ellinwood St., Des Plaines. Food trucks, live music and more. Free. desplainesil.gov.

59th annual Sugar Grove Corn Boil: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, July 23; 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 24; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 25; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Volunteer Park, Sugar Grove. While the main attraction is fresh corn, festgoers won’t want to miss the parade at 5 p.m. Friday down Bastian Drive into the park, live music, car show, corn hole tournament, carnival rides and more. There’s free shuttle service at the library and municipal center. sugargrovecornboil.org.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue: 4-10 p.m. Friday, July 24; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 25; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at 2500 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Besides a variety of food booths, there will be whiskey and spirits tastings, live bands, a kids’ carnival and a dog parade on Saturday morning. $10 donation. chicagoevents.com.

Taco & Art Fest: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at The Shell at Reed-Keppler Park, 700 Arbor Ave., West Chicago. Fill up on food truck tacos before browsing the craft and art vendors, interactive art stations, live artist demonstrations and more. we-goparks.org.

Chicago Italian Beef Fest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 31; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long, Chicago. Chicago restaurants serve up their takes on the iconic Italian beef sandwich. Headliners include Simply Billy, 16 Candles and Simply Elton. $10. chicagoevents.com.

Taste of Roselle: 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 31; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, on Main Street, between Howard and Prospect, Roselle. Block party featuring food from around Roselle and beyond, craft beer and wine entertainment on three stages, an arts and crafts show, bingo and a kids’ carnival. Free. rosellelions.com/taste or facebook.com/TasteofRoselle/.

Corn Fest and Craft Fair: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Community Church of Rolling Meadows, 2720 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Dine on fresh local sweet corn, grilled sandwiches, watermelon and soft drinks. Adults: $15; seniors: $13; kids 4-10 $5; and free for kids 3 and younger. ccrm.church.

Dessert Walk: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, starting in Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Sample desserts while strolling around downtown Libertyville. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Chicagoland Halal Fest: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Try tastes of global halal cuisine while enjoying arts, performances, activities and more. thehalalgrp.com/halal-fest-2026/.

Garlic Fest: 4:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. This is your chance to try sweet and savory garlic creations, including garlic-infused chocolate, cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, cocktails, pastas, sandwiches, sauces, spreads and more. Don’t miss the live music and family-friendly activities. Free. celebratehighwood.org/garlic-fest.

Little Bear Ribfest: 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15, in the Century Park Arboretum, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Local rib vendors, beer, wine and bourbon-tasting. Headliners include Vegas McGraw at 9 p.m. Friday and The Grady Experience at 9 p.m. Saturday. $6, free for kids 5 and younger; $75 VIP experience includes all-you-can-eat rib buffet from 6-9 p.m. Saturday (must be purchased in advance). vhparkdistrict.org/little-bear-ribfest.

Honey Fest: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. There will be honey tastings, demonstrations, honey-themed treats and more. Free. parkfun.com.

Bloody Mary Fest: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. Mixologists and vendors will compete for the Proud Mary Award for the best Bloody Mary. Free. celebratehighwood.org/bloody-mary-fest.

Lakeview Taco Fest: 4-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at 3500 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. More than 10 Chicago restaurants will compete to craft the city’s best tacos, with live entertainment, family activities, Mexican wrestling and more. $10 suggested donation. lakeviewroscoevillage.org.

• With additional reporting by Caroline Linden.