Taste of Chicago 2012, Schedule, Concert Lineup, Directions & Information

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Chicago Taste of Chicago
Fast Facts

Where: Grant Park - North/South between Monroe Avenue and Balbo Drive, East/West between Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.

When: UNCONFIRMED: Sunday, June 24 to Thursday, July 5, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily

Admission: Admission and events are free, with food and drinks purchased via 'Taste Tickets' only. Tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8.

Street Closings: Columbus from Monroe to Roosevelt, Jackson from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive, Congress from Michigan to Columbus

Getting there: CTA bus lines #145 or #151 to Monroe/Michigan stop, or Loop Red and Blue line subway stops to Monroe Harbor.

Subway: Chicago Transit

Buses: Chicago Transit buses

Water Taxis: Shoreline

Trolleys: Free in Summer

A casual affair that lasted only a day when it was first launched In 1980 by a group of Chicago restaurateurs, today Taste of Chicago has become the nation's largest outdoor food festival drawing almost 4 million people each year during the 4th of July holiday.

Taste of Chicago celebrates its 32nd anniversary in 2012 as the city once again gears up for welcoming visitors from metro Chicago, around the U.S. and worldwide.

Sights, Smells and Sounds

The big attraction? The food, of course! Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs as well polish sausage and dozens of other ethnic specialties are the star of the show as over 70 restaurants from around Chicagoland offer up more than 300 of their menu's best dishes to an appreciative audience.

Admission is free to Taste of Chicago, although "Taste Tickets" must be bought to purchase food and drinks during the 10-day bash (cash is not accepted.)

Concert Lineup

Other events during the annual summer festival in Grant Park include free performances of live music at the Petrillo Music Shell, as well as other stage venues featuring local as well as nationally-known big name performers.

In 2012, watch for the concert lineup to be announced in April with news of major performers who will be appearing throughout one of Chicago's biggest summer events, including variety acts featured on Gospel Day (June 26) as well as star headliners

Traditionally, the most popular event of the food festival occurs on the final night when the city hosts one of the biggest fireworks shows in the country, although unfortunately the spectacular has been cancelled this year due to cost concerns.

Getting There

Getting to Grant Park by car is problematic (though not impossible, with nearby parking available), but the summer crush makes public transportation the far more attractive option (for directions, see above). Hotels most convenient to the festival are the Hilton Chicago (720 South Michigan Avenue) and the Chicago Essex Inn (800 S Michigan Avenue).

With the sights, smells and general delights associated with festival, Taste of Chicago has grown to become one of Chicago's biggest events of the year, and if you're in town it should definitely be on the top of your must-do list!

Have fun.

More about Taste of Chicago around the Web:

Taste of Chicago - Travel & information guide from Chicago's official city site with this year's schedule, photos, maps & directions, parking information, FAQ, historical background.

Taste of Chicago 2012 - About.com guide with background info, how to get there, parking information and related Chicago travel resources.

Taste of Chicago - Wikipedia - Detailed overview with fun facts and historical details, popular vendors and entertainment with related references and resources, photos.

also see in Travel-> Illinois Tourist Attractions | Chicago Marathon

Lollapalooza | Moving to Chicago | Chicago Street Fairs