Taste of River North

Details

Friday, July 18, 2025 | 5pm to 10pm
Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 11am to 10pm
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Overview

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Taste of River North 2025 – A Culinary and Cultural Celebration

Get ready for one of Chicago’s most anticipated summer festivals—Taste of River North, returning on Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, 2025! Nestled in the heart of River North, this dynamic event showcases the neighborhood’s vibrant culinary scene, live entertainment, and artistic talent, offering an unforgettable experience for food lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

Savor the Flavors of River North

Indulge in signature dishes from some of the city’s top restaurants, all conveniently gathered in one location. From gourmet bites to comfort food classics, the festival offers a diverse range of flavors, reflecting the rich culinary diversity of River North’s renowned dining scene.

Live Music & Entertainment

Beyond the food, Taste of River North brings an electrifying lineup of live music that keeps the energy high all weekend long. Groove to local bands, experience high-energy performances, and soak in the lively festival atmosphere.

Art, Culture & Family Fun

In addition to food and music, explore art vendors, interactive experiences, and a dedicated family-friendly area perfect for attendees of all ages. Whether you’re browsing local art, discovering unique crafts, or enjoying kid-friendly activities, the festival has something for everyone.

Join the Celebration!

Don’t miss out on this exciting two-day celebration of food, music, and community in one of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhoods. Mark your calendar for July 18-19, 2025, and stay tuned for updates on participating restaurants, entertainment schedules, and ticket information.

For see below for updated information on schedule, music lineups, and vendors for the Taste of River North.


Friday
6:00PM – Stache
8:30PM – Maggie Speaks

Saturday
12:00PM – Dog Parade presented by dog. hotel | daycare
12:30PM – School of Rock
2:00PM – Y2K
4:00PM – The Divas
5:45PM – Hello Weekend
8:00PM – Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press

Friday
5:00pm – Rika B
6:30pm – Inphinity
8:00pm – Gene Farris

Saturday
11:00am – Nola
12:30pm – L33X
1:30pm – NOSL33P
2:30pm – Kwal
3:30pm – Muffy
4:30pm – Phil Groves
6:00pm – Garrett Belschner b2b Mikey Hahn
8:00pm – Shiba San

Lure Fishbar: Lure Fishbar is a seafood restaurant offering not only the freshest fish selections from around the world but also a complete raw bar with rotating oyster selection, and a world class sushi program.

Moe’s Cantina: Your ultimate destination for an authentic taste of Mexican food and drink in Chicago. With two locations: River North and Wrigleyville, their restaurants offer the perfect blend of classic Windy City charm and modern dining and nightlife. Their River North location is perfect for happy hour, dinner and a night out, or hosting unforgettable events. Their Wrigleyville location boasts a stunning rooftop bar and is a must-visit for Cubs baseball fans and tourists.

Chick-fil-A: As a family-owned business, the Cathy family has been working together for 70 years. Just as Truett Cathy built Chick-fil-A alongside his wife and children, today several second and third generation Cathy family members are carrying on that tradition, while others pursue talents in other fields. Working in a variety of different capacities, from staff headquartered at the Chick-fil-A Support Center to serving local communities as restaurant Operators, they’re coast-to-coast helping people “Eat Mor Chikin®.

Hubbard Inn: A fixture on Hubbard Street for almost a decade, Hubbard Inn is now reopened after months of renovations. Guests will enjoy an evolving cocktail experience along with artistic presentations of contemporary fare as they move throughout the multi-leveled venue.

Avli: Creative Greek food where tradition meets contemporary elegance.  That’s their motto and, well, their food certainly makes this a reality!  We welcome them back and look forward to tasting their salads, kabobs and so much more!

Seoul Taco: Seoul Taco in River North blends bold Korean and Mexican flavors in a fun, fast-casual setting. Known for dishes like bulgogi tacos, spicy pork burritos, and kimchi fried rice bowls, the spot serves up crave-worthy street food with a creative twist. Bright murals and hip-hop vibes round out the lively experience.

Blue Agave: Nestled at 579 W Kinzie in River North, Blue Agave is a vibrant tequila bar and Mexican eatery perfect for casual dinners or lively happy hours. With over 150 tequilas and craft margaritas on tap, it offers fresh, scratch‑made dishes—from sizzling fajitas and hearty molcajetes to street‑corn guacamole and rich queso fundido. The spacious, upbeat atmosphere—with both indoor and outdoor seating—draws groups looking to unwind after work or celebrate special occasions. Friendly service, solid portion sizes under $30, and daily specials round out the experience, making Blue Agave a reliable River North go‑to for bold flavors and good times.

TE’AMO Boba & Dessert: TE’AMO Boba & Dessert in River North is a chic, women-owned café serving up organic teas, fruity lattes, and creative desserts like mochi donuts and cheesecake baos. Known for its eco-friendly approach and Instagram-worthy drinks, it’s a go-to spot for a refreshing treat in the heart of downtown.

From wine to spirits, join us daily to elevate your Taste of River North experience!  These mini tastings are a perfect way to start or end your day.  Grab a ticket and join us to sample some unique wines and spirits.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

 

Tasting details:

  • Friday, 6pm to 9:30pm

Tickets are limited to 400 participants. You do not have to show up at exactly 6pm — feel free to come at your leisure. The tasting should take about an hour.

WHAT WE’RE TASTING:

Wines:
Meiomi Rose
Meiomi Red Blend
Chloe Prosecco
Chloe Sauvignon Blanc
Imagery Chardonnay
Imagery Cabernet
Imagery Pinot Noir
Imagery Sauvignon Blanc

Spirits:
Elijah Craig Toasted Bourbon
Few Bourbon
Jefferson Ocean Bourbon
Pendleton Whiskey
1800 Tequila Anejo
1800 Tequila Coconut
1800 Tequila Cucumber Jalapeno
Gran Centenario Tequila Reposado
Grand Centenario Tequila Anejo

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR PUP

Does your furry friend have what it takes?  Have them strut their stuff at the 3rd annual Taste of River North Dog Parade!  Choose from the following categories when you register:

  • Best in Show (no registration required, all dogs will participate)
  • Best Rescue
  • Best Large Breed
  • Best Medium Breed
  • Best Small Breed
  • Best Costume

Saturday morning schedule:

11:00 Check-In
11:20 Introduction – Reg Closes
11:25 Parade Starts/Small Breed
11:35 Medium Breed
11:45 Large Breed
11:55 Costume
12:05 Rescue
12:15 Results

The mission of the River North Residents Association is to:

  • Protect and enhance the quality of life in River North
  • Encourage strong collaboration and communication between residents, businesses and government officials
  • Promote responsible real estate development and land use
  • Advocate for infrastructure improvements that contribute to long term value
  • Contribute to a safer neighborhood and a healthy, sustainable environment
  • Support positive community development and the creation of opportunities for disadvantaged Chicagoans

The River North Residents Association is a tax-exempt, non-profit, volunteer-led neighborhood advocacy organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

Looking to connect with active consumers at this event? For pricing and a customized benefits package, please contact Karyn Terrones at karyn@chicagoevents.com or 773-584-6625.

Unfortunately, the event has reached full capacity, and we are no longer accepting applications.
We appreciate your understanding.

For any questions contact exhibitors@chicagoevents.com

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