Roscoe Village Burger Fest

Schedule

1. Friday, July 17, 2026 — Festival hours: 5-10 p.m.
2. Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Festival hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Damen Stage includes School of Rock, Without U2, iPop, and Southern Accents; Leavitt Stage includes Rosie & The Rivets, Live Band Karaoke, Rearview, and Mr. Blotto.
3. Sunday, July 19, 2026 — Festival hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Damen Stage includes Jessie’s Girl, The Divas, and 16 Candles; Leavitt Stage includes Four Star Brass Band, The Gingers, The Birkenrocks, and Mike & Joe.
4. Festival weekend — Best Burger voting: People’s Choice winner announced Sunday at 7:55 p.m. on the Damen Stage; Critic’s Choice winner announced Saturday at 6:55 p.m.

What to expect

Roscoe Village Burger Fest returns July 17-19, 2026 on the 2000 block of W Belmont Ave. SEM bills the 19th year as Chicago's ultimate patty party: top burger vendors, two stages of live music, arts and crafts, a kids zone, and People's Choice/Critic's Choice burger voting. The best way to use it is tactical: pick two burger vendors, vote by QR code, and leave room for a second lap after the band you actually wanted to see.

Tickets

Free to enter; a $10 suggested donation supports the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. Food, drinks, and vendor purchases are separate.

Transit

Brown Line to Paulina is the closest stop — 5-minute walk south. The 77 Belmont and 50 Damen buses both stop within a block. Driving is rough; Roscoe Village street parking is permit-only and the fest closes Belmont. Try the Western Ave commercial parking and walk east.

Bag policy

No formal bag check; visual at gates. ID at beer tents.

Family-friendly

More family-friendly than most beer-forward neighborhood fests — Roscoe Village has a lot of young families and the daytime family activities reflect that. Sliders are kid-friendly food. Stroller-easy on Belmont's wide footprint until ~5 p.m. Saturday. No dedicated kids' programming most years but kid-bands sometimes on the early Sunday slot.

Food and drink

• Bust Outs — Hearty sandwiches and festival favorites.
• Byron's Hot Dogs — Chicago classic with hot dogs, burgers, and old-school flavor.
• Cheesie's Pub & Grub — Comfort-food excess and melty sandwich energy.
• Epic Burger — Premium-beef classic burger approach.
• Fatso's Last Stand — Char-grilled Chicago burger nostalgia.
• NADC Burger — Cult-following smashburger name.
• The Stop Along — Roscoe Village favorite and 2025 People’s Choice/Critic’s Choice winner.
• Tandoor Char House — Indian-American flavor twist.

Local tips

1. Slider sampling is the entire fest — order 1 burger from 4–5 different vendors rather than a full burger from one. Pacing matters.
2. Saturday lunch is the freshest grill window; by Sunday afternoon some vendors are running out of their best builds.
3. Vote for People's Choice — your wristband is the ballot. Most attendees skip this and miss the actual fun.
4. Beer-garden line at the east end of the fest is consistently shorter than the west end.
5. Eat a half-portion of fries or a salad between burgers — burger fatigue is real.
6. Pair with a walk through Roscoe Village's residential blocks (Hamlin Park area) for the neighborhood's quiet charm.
7. Don't drive; rideshare back is straightforward.

Frequently asked questions

Is Roscoe Village Burger Fest free?

Yes, it is free to enter. A $10 suggested donation supports the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

What are the 2026 hours?

Friday 5-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

How does Best Burger voting work?

The official page says vendors will have QR codes for People's Choice voting; the winner is announced Sunday evening on the Damen Stage.