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The annual Tacos & Tamales Festival is a celebration of authentic Latin cuisine. It is coming to the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago on July 19, 20 and 21, 2024.
You can expect to enjoy tacos and tamales from different regions of Latin America and handmade tortillas. The entertainment will feature the best Latin music and dance performances. You can expect to see a vibrant block party atmosphere. Enjoy the sights, sounds, aromas, tastes and smiles.
In a culture where authenticity matters, the Tacos & Tamales Festival will deliver on the quality and quantity of the ethnic food. Indulge in a unique arena of tastes and smells guaranteed to satisfy.
Food Trucks
Food Trucks at the festival will include
- Caseras Sabor Real
- Mr. Quilles Mexican
- El Azteca
- Mexi-Tacos
- Tacos Marios Delicias
Vendors
Vendors at the festival will include
- Prime Tacos
- Banges
- Carnitas Roldan
- Ricas Nieves Estilo Acapulco
- El Campeon
- Juanita’s Mexican Food
- Pinches Miches
- Los Nando’s Huaraches
- Slice Factory
- El Hongo Magico Plant Based Taqueria
- Michelada El Patron
- Yvolina’s Tamales
- Los Cuates de Juanita
- Taqueria La Ciudad
- Xurro Churro Factory
- La Cebollita Grill
- Los Taquieras
Music
Music is an integral component of this festival. You’ll enjoy traditional mariachis, song and dance and the very best of Latin Pop Rock. The music will be as authentic as the food and culture.
Entertainment Lineup
Friday – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Bad Dance DJs
- Fuego de Cambia
- Rico!
Saturday – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Bad Dance DJs
- Symple
- Tributo A Vicente Fernandez
- Tributo Con Jesus Ramos
- Banda La Nueva Raza
- Quinto Imperio
- Enrique Calderon
Sunday – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Bad Dance DJs
- Calaveras LD
- Cica (Collaborative Institute of Cultural Arts) Dance Group
- Idilio
- La Nueva
- Imagen Sonora Santanera
- Sonora Dinamita
Additional Festival Information
Street cantinas will feature Modelo brand products cerveza, micheladas, margaritas and more.
Pilsen is a neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side, rich in Latin culture. It’s home to popular music venues and award winning restaurants and bars.
The Tacos & Tamales Festival is free to attend, however, there is a $10 suggested donation. A portion of this will benefit the local Pilsen Arts & Community House and other non-profit organizations.
Latin Cuisine
If you enjoyed the food at the festival and would like to learn more about Latin cooking, then try these cookbooks. You can use our links to see how you can save money on each one.
- Tacos: Recipes & Provocations by Alex Stupak and Jordana Rothman
- Latinisimo: Home Recipes from the Twenty-One Countries of Latin America by Sandra A. Gutierrez
- Tamales 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Making Traditional Tamales by Alice Guadalupe Tapp
Or you can enjoy Latin cuisine at the 10 Best Latin Restaurants in Chicago as chosen by the users of TripAdvisor.
- Carnivala
- Havana Grill
- Mercadito
- Cafecito
- Frontera Grill
- Big Star
- Adobo Grill
- Irazu
- Lena Brava
- Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
If you’d like to visit Chicago for the festival, you should consider booking your hotel here. You’ll find some great deals with discounted rates as low as $76.