Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest

Schedule

1. Friday, June 26, 2026 — Festival hours: 5-10 p.m.; tequila tasting sessions 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.
2. Friday, June 26, 2026 — Friday music: 4:45 p.m. Tom Holland & The Shufflekings; 6:15 p.m. Second Hand Soul Band; 8 p.m. Mike & Joe.
3. Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Festival hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; tequila tasting sessions 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-4 p.m., 5-7 p.m., and 8-10 p.m.
4. Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Saturday music: 12:30 p.m. Mariachi Los Palmeros; 2 p.m. Lady Loomis; 3:45 p.m. Soul Daddy; 5:45 p.m. Gizzae Reggae; 8 p.m. Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute.

What to expect

Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest is a ticketed two-day food-and-drink festival at Wrightwood Park, June 26-27, 2026. This is the Lincoln Park neighborhood taco fest, not the separate arena-style Tacos & Tequila touring music festival. Expect local taco vendors, bars, margarita flights, timed tequila tasting sessions, and a live-music bill that moves from blues and soul to mariachi, reggae, and ABBA tribute energy.

Tickets

General Admission is $15 in advance or $18 at the gate and includes a sample-size margarita for 21+ patrons, access to taco vendors, live music, and the ability to buy a tequila tasting add-on. The Tequila Tasting Add-On is $20 advance or $25 at the gate for eight tequila samples in a timed session. Margarita flights are sold onsite; the official page lists $40 flights in six flavor options. All ages are allowed, but alcohol service is 21+ with ID.

Transit

Brown/Purple Line to Diversey is a 10-minute walk; Red Line to Fullerton is similar. The 76 Diversey, 8 Halsted, and 22 Clark buses all serve the area. Driving is rough — Lincoln Park residential parking is permit-only and the fest closes Wrightwood streets.

Bag policy

No formal bag check; ID required at all tequila vendors (this fest cards aggressively).

Family-friendly

All ages are allowed, and Wrightwood Park gives families room to land. The honest read: Saturday before late afternoon is the workable family window; after 5 p.m. the event becomes much more tequila-and-cover-band than kids' outing.

Food and drink

• Cabos Tacos — Baja-inspired tacos with seafood, chicken, beef, and vegan options.
• Cafe Tola — Latin comfort flavors including al pastor, chicken mole, and birria.
• Prime Tacos — Featured by SEM as one of the standout taco vendors.
• Taqueria Teotihuacan — Listed by SEM as a 2026 vendor.
• Additional vendors — SEM lists more vendors including Carnitas Roldan, Caseras Sabor Real, Banges Mexican Food, Naty's, and Tandoor Char House.

Local tips

1. The tequila tasting flights are the actual draw — skip if you're just here for tacos. The flight wristband at $20–$40 gets you 5–8 pours that would cost 3x at retail.
2. Eat first, drink second — the fest's tacos al pastor go fast and the tequila hits harder when you've sampled 6 tacos.
3. Sunday afternoon is the chill day — Saturday gets dense.
4. Cash for food vendors speeds the line; tequila booths take cards.
5. If you're a tequila nerd, the smaller artisanal pourers have more interesting bottles than the headline brands.
6. Pair with a walk through Wrightwood Park north or down to Diversey Pkwy for a stroll between rounds.
7. Don't drive; rideshare back is straightforward. Lincoln Park surge isn't bad after 9 p.m. Sunday.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest?

General Admission is $15 advance or $18 at the gate. Tequila tasting add-ons are $20 advance or $25 at the gate for eight samples in a timed session.

Is it 21+ only?

No. SEM says the event is all ages, but tequila, margaritas, beer, and the included sample-size margarita are for 21+ patrons with ID.

Where is it?

Wrightwood Park in Lincoln Park, with the official address listed as 2555 N Ashland Ave.

Is this the same as Tacos & Tequila Festival?

No. This listing is for Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest at Wrightwood Park. The touring Tacos & Tequila Festival is a separate music-festival brand.