Frequently Asked Questions

• Are alcoholic beverages sold at the Taste of Chicago?
  Yes, you must be 21 to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Identification is required.
   
• What items are prohibited from being brought onto festival grounds?
  - Alcoholic Beverages
  - BBQ Grills (Open Flames)
  - Fireworks or Explosives
  - Illegal Substances & Weapons
  - Pop-up Tents/Canopies
  - Beach/Picnic Umbrellas
  - Flag Poles
  - All Pets (except Service Animals)
  
  Failure to comply with the above may result in entry being denied. All containers will be subject to search. Bicycles may not be ridden on festival grounds.
   
• Are credit cards accepted when purchasing food and beverage tickets at the Taste of Chicago?
  Yes. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted. Positive I.D. is required when making a credit card purchase.
   
• Are the concerts free at the Petrillo Music Shell? How do I get into the seating area at the Petrillo Music Shell?
  Yes. A limited amount of passes for reserved seating at the Petrillo Music Shell are only given to Taste of Chicago sponsors, guests of performers and members of the working press. However, the seating area opens up to the public at the start of each concert and is available to the public on a first come-first served basis from the entrance gate on Jackson Blvd. between Columbus and Lake Shore Dr. and we encourage you to please arrive early.


The seating area fills up quickly so you might want to sit in the lawn area (Butler Field) and watch the Big Screen if you don't get a seat. Chairs are allowed in Butler Field.

 

• Can I bring a picnic to the Taste of Chicago and/or my own alchohol?
  Taste of Chicago takes place in a city park and park rules apply.  You can not bring alcholhol into the park.
   
• Can I bring my dog with me into the Taste of Chicago?
  No. For your dog's protection and for the public's safety, all dogs are restricted from the festival and you will be asked to leave the festival with your dog. (This policy is supported by the Anti-Cruelty Society.)
   
• Can I purchase Taste of Chicago food and beverage tickets at Dominick’s stores?
  Food and beverage tickets will be sold in strips of 12 for $6.00 at Dominick’s from June 17-24, 2010, (4) strips max per family, a Fresh Values Card is required.  All 80 locations will be selling tickets.
   
• Does a percentage of the proceeds from Taste of Chicago go to the underprivileged?
  Yes, a percentage of the proceeds from Taste of Chicago benefits Mayor Daley's Sharing It program. Sharing It provides food and funds for the underprivileged through the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
   
• How much is admission to get into the Taste of Chicago?
  Admission is free, but food and beverages are by tickets only. Tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8.
  Includes $2 charge for Taste of Chicago amenities.
   
• Is there a big screen that faces the lawn at the Petrillo Music Shell performances at the Taste of Chicago?
  Yes, there is a big screen that faces the lawn for all performances at the Petrillo Music Shell during Taste of Chicago.
   
• Is there recycling at the festival?
  The Mayor's Office of Special Events encourages everyone to recycle and to look for the blue recycling containers at all lakefront festivals and events.
   
• Is there seating available at the Petrillo Band Shell for People With Disabilities? View the City of Chicago Summer Lakefront Festival Accessibility Policy.

   

• What accommodations are there at the Taste of Chicago for people with disabilities?
  Braille and large-print Taste of Chicago brochures (or readers, upon request) and TTYs are available at the north end of Columbus near Monroe. For additional accommodations, call 312-744-7050 (voice) or 312-744-4964 (TTY).
   
• What are the closest hotels to the Taste of Chicago?
  The Hilton Chicago (720 South Michigan Avenue) and the Chicago Essex Inn (800 S Michigan Avenue).
 
• What do I have to do to be a food vendor at the Taste of Chicago?
  Taste of Chicago food vendor applications are mailed in January to every licensed full service restaurant in Chicago. Taste of Chicago applications are due in February to the Illinois Restaurant Association. Complete instructions are available on the application.
   
• What streets are closed during the Taste of Chicago?
  Columbus from Monroe to Roosevelt

  Jackson from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive

  Congress from Michigan to Columbus

   

• When did the first Taste of Chicago take place?
  The Taste of Chicago began in 1980 and took place on Michigan Ave. for one day.
   
• When is the Independence Eve fireworks show?
  The fireworks show always takes place on July 3rd.  The fireworks are launched from Monroe Harbor at 9pm.
   
• Where can I get first aid at the Taste of Chicago?
  A first aid trailer is located on the south side of Congress near Columbus Drive.
   
• Where is the closest parking if I'm disabled?
  Parking is not available on the festival grounds. The Millennium Park Garage on Columbus between Monroe & Randolph, the Monroe Street Underground at Monroe & Columbus, and the Grant Park Underground parking garage entrances located at Michigan at Madison and Michigan at Randolph are all fully handicapped accessible. There is a paratransit drop-off and pick-up located at the southeast corner of Monroe and Columbus.  
 
• Is there a wheelchair rental at the Taste of Chicago?
  No.