This weekend is a festival foodie’s dream with Taste of River North, SausageFest and Taste of Latin America on the bill. Sip artisan ales at Chicago Craft Beer Festival or catch live music at Wicker Park Fest and Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk.
Wicker Park Fest
When: Noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Paulina Street
How much: $10 suggested donation
The skinny: This annual street fest of music madness celebrates with a solid lineup of local, national and international bands on three stages. Saturday acts include Lowdown Brass Band from Chicago (6 p.m., North Stage), Com Truise with synthy funk beats (8:45 p.m., Center Stage) and Southern California folk rockers The Mountain Goats (9 p.m., South Stage). On Sunday, catch San Diego rock band Rocket from the Crypt (8:45 p.m., North Stage), Alvvays with indie pop (9 p.m., South Stage) and Montreal rock-punk group Ought (8:45 p.m., Center Stage). Between sets, check out performance art and installations and food and retail vendors. Pro tip: Get off at the Division Blue Line stop to enter the fest at the less crowded end, rather than the Damen stop.
SausageFest
When: Noon–8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Weed Street and Sheffield Avenue
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: Sausage jokes, they’re the wurst. But frankly, this fest is a real wiener with a new location in Lincoln Park. Try encased meats from The Radler, Chicago’s Dog House, Bub City and more. The fest also features rock tunes on Saturday with a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute (6:30 p.m.) and country music Sunday with Clayton Anderson (6 p.m.) and others.
Taste of River North
When: 5–10 p.m. Friday, noon–10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Ward Park (630 N. Kingsbury St.)
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: A dozen neighborhood restaurants, including El Hefe, Farmhouse and Da Lobsta, bring tasty treats to the 15th annual food fest. Catch bands all weekend, such as Sidewalk Chalk with hip-hop, soul and jazz jams (7 p.m. Friday); ‘Stache, putting twists on rock and pop tunes from the ’80s to today (4:30 p.m. Sunday); and Boy Band Review with ’90s hits (6 p.m. Saturday).
Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk
When: Noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Sheffield and Webster avenues
How much: $7–$10 suggested donation
The skinny: Stroll through more than 80 neighborhood gardens on your own (noon–5:30 p.m. both days) or take a guided tour (3:30 p.m. both days) at the 48th annual fest. Catch live music on two stages, including folk-rocker Stephen Kellogg (6:20 p.m. Saturday, Main Stage) and California alt-rockers The Mowgli’s (8:15 p.m. Sunday, Main Stage). Also browse art and crafts from more than 30 merchants.
Chicago Craft Beer Festival
When: Noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (tasting times run from 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. daily)
Where: Sheffield Avenue between Webster and Fullerton avenues
How much: $35 in advance, $40 at the gate (if available). Tickets: eventbrite.com
The skinny: Running in tandem with the Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk, this beer fest in its fifth year brings more than 40 local and national breweries to Lincoln Park. Sample pours from visiting brewers, including San Francisco’s 21st Amendment Brewery and McKenzie’s Hard Cider from New York, and local outfits such as Forbidden Root and Around the Bend Beer Co. Admission includes 15 sampling tickets and a 3-ounce souvenir cup.
Taste of Latin America
When: Noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Division Street between California Avenue and Rockwell Street
How much: Free
The skinny: Explore flavors of Central and South America at this Humboldt Park fest in its fourth year. Along with art and live music, fill up on food from Cemitas Puebla, Sabor Latino, Las Tablas Colombian Steakhouse and more. New this year is a Chilean wine tasting both days (4–8 p.m. Saturday and 2–6 p.m. Sunday). Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 on-site. Tickets: eventbrite.com
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