Spring time in Chicago is the reason people bother enduring the sub-zero snowstorms. When people trade their parkas and gloves for sunglasses and flip flops, when restaurants open their patios, and bars open their rooftops, Chicago is a gold mine for foodies looking to go on a new adventure. Here’s your ultimate guide of Chicago Eats + Drinks events this Spring.
All Spring
Photo by Edgar Sandoval
Dinner cruises: April 1-May 15
Enjoy a three-course meal with a champagne cocktail and views of the Chicago skyline aboard the luxurious, Odyssey, leaving Navy Pier. (Discount tickets $89)
Gospel Brunch: April 3-May (Sundays)
Enjoy a fine buffet of Southern and Creole-inspired food followed by joyful singing at the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. (Discount tickets $41, child $24)
Chocolate tour: Starting April 9th
Chicago Chocolate Crawl is a 90-minute guided walk that includes chocolate samples in various shops. (Discount tickets $25)
April
Photo courtesy of Lauren Awtry
Culture of Poland: April 10th
Enjoy the folk music, traditional dance, food, and crafts of Poland at Neighborhoods of the World in the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier.
Pinot Noir tasting: April 16th
Sample 100 pinots and meet the winemakers during Chicago Pinot Days in Lakeview Terrace at Navy Pier.
Chocolate & wine tasting: April 16-17
Chicago Artisan Chocolate Festival has lectures, demonstrations, exhibitors, and tastings at Stephen Bailey Auditorium. (Discount tickets $33)
Pig feast: April 24th
Cochon is a culinary competition that features a stand-up tasting of dozens of chef-prepared dishes paired with wine, beer, and spirits at Loews Chicago Hotel. ($131 Tickets)
Cocktail evening: April 28th
A ticket to Chicago Cocktail Social gets you premium cocktails made by bartenders from 17 establishments, gourmet food, and live music at Galleria Marchetti.
Artisan food festival: April 30th
Meet food makers and taste their cured meats, confections, craft beer, wine, and cheese at Artisan Producer Festival at Chicago French Market. (Free)
Baconfest: April 30th – May 1st
Chicago’s best chefs serve bacon dishes and drinks for lunch and dinner at Baconfest Chicago in UIC Forum. (Discount tickets $99)
May
Photo courtesy of Chicago Craft Beer Week
Chicago Beer Classic : May 7th
Chicago Beer Classic [formerly American Beer Classic] has hundreds of beers, food vendors, and seminars on the grass at Soldier Field.
Comedy brunch: May 8th
Second City’s Sunday Bloody Mary Sunday begins with a delicious brunch including limitless Bloody Marys and mimosas, followed by an improv comedy show at UP Comedy Club. (Discount tickets $40)
Beer at the conservatory: May 19th
Enjoy craft beer and small plates at Beer under Glass indoors and outdoors at Garfield Park Conservatory.
Craft beer week: May 19 – 29, 2016
Chicago Craft Beer Week features hundreds of craft beer events in the greater Chicago area, from special $4 tastings of rare beers to beer dinners. It’s sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild.
Baseball pub crawl: May 21st
Cover Your Bases is a baseball-themed pub crawl. You get a T-shirt printed with a baseball field, and cover the bases with stickers from the bars you visit. (Discount tickets $12 at Groupon and LivingSocial)
Wine tasting: May 21-22
Taste 80 wines at Lincoln Park Wine Festival, which has tented wine and food pavilions, live music, and crafts at Jonquil Playlot Park. (Discount tickets $39)
June
Photo courtesy of Green Street Market
Maifest: June 2 – 5, 2016
The German festival known as Maifest Chicago serves beer, brats, sauerkraut, and music in Lincoln Square at Lincoln Ave. and Leland Ave. Free. (Don’t confuse with Mayfest on May 20 – 22, 2016.)
Greek festival: June 3 – 5, 2016
Lincoln Park Greek Fest serves Greek food, music, and dancing on Sheffield Ave. at Diversey Pkwy.
Taste of Mexico: June 3 – 5, 2016
Taste of Little Village: Flavors of Mexico offers food, music, and carnival rides at 26th & Sacramento.
Chicken wing tasting: June 4 – 5, 2016
A ticket to Wingout Chicago includes chicken wings from restaurants and 2 beers at St. Michael’s Church parking lot. Expect lines.
Pork ribs festival: June 10 – 12, 2016
Brave crowds, heat, and smoke in the quest for Chicago’s best BBQ from 30 Chicagoland restaurants at Ribfest Chicago, which also has 20 live bands on Lincoln Avenue north of Irving Park Road. (Donation)
Food truck fest: June 11 – 12, 2016
Pilsen Food Truck Social has 26 food trucks, local restaurants, live music, craft vendors, and kids’ activities on 18th Street at Allport. (Donation)
Ale festival: June 17 – 18, 2016
Chicago Ale Fest features samples of 200 beers from 100 craft breweries, plus live music and restaurant food at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park.
Beer tasting at the zoo: June 17 – 18, 2016
Taste 20 samples of 75 beers, buy food, play lawn games, hear DJ music, and visit the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo during Brew to Be Wild for age 21+. (Discount tickets $39)
Taste of Randolph: June 17 – 19, 2016
Popular Taste of Randolph Street [sound] offers six blocks of artisan and restaurant booths plus three music stages on W Randolph Street from Peoria St. to Racine Ave. Donation.
Barbecue festival: June 18 – 19, 2016
Enjoy barbecued ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken at 6 Corners BBQ Fest on N Milwaukee Ave. from Irving Park Rd. to Belle Plaine Ave. (Donation)
Whiskey barbecue: June 25, 2016
Whiskey Wine and Swine is a pig roast plus wine and whiskey tasting at Montrose Beach.
Food truck festival: June 25 – 26
Chicago Food Truck Fest brings food trucks and music to the green space at 2400 S. Dearborn Street.