Celebrate the City’s Favorite Food with the Museum

The Chicago-style hot dog is second to none – celebrating over 100 years as a much loved and celebrated part of Chicago’s local cuisine. Take a bite out of Chicago history at the fifth annual Chicago Hot Dog Fest, presented by the Chicago History Museum.

The Fest returns to Lincoln Park this August to include a full lineup of bands, hot dog history speakers and the star of the event – Vienna® Beef hot dogs prepared in various regional and ethnic styles by the city’s top hot dog vendors.

The three-day family-friendly celebration takes place Friday, August 11 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, August 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday August 13 from 11 am to 8 p.m., at the corner of Stockton and LaSalle Dr. just steps away from the Chicago History Museum.

Enjoy tasty treats from vendors like Byron’s Hot Dogs, Big Bob & Fritzy’s, Downtown Dogs, Chicago’s Dog House, Flash Hot Dogs and many more.

The Speaker’s Stage welcomes Museum curators and hot dog historians for entertaining lectures on Chicago and its favorite food. Special guests include Second City performer Julie Marchiano for the talk, “In Defense of Ketchup;” Bob Schwartz, author of “Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog;” and Cesar Marron of Sketchbook Brewing Co. for a talk on a Chicago Hot Dog inspired beer.

While fans fill up on mouthwatering encased meats, cold beer and decadent desserts, a tasty lineup of local and touring bands will take the Main Stage to keep the party moving. The Fest welcomes Friday headliner 16 Candles; Saturday headliner Robert Cornelius& Friends for a Prince Tribute; and Sunday headliner Mike & Joe.

Visit chicagohotdogfest.com for an up-to-date lineup of vendors, music and speakers.

Admission to the festival is a suggested $5 donation per person and a suggested $20 donation per family at the entrance. Proceeds from the Chicago Hot Dog Fest fund educational programming at the Chicago History Museum, bringing the power and perspectives of Chicago history to students from across the city.

Discounted ‘Early-Bird’ food ticket packages are available online before the fest. Dog Dollars for food, alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages will also be sold individually at the fest. For more information please visit chicagohotdogfest.com or call 312-642-4600.

The Chicago History Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago. 

ABOUT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is now at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park, its third location. As a major museum and research center for Chicago and U.S. history, the Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, publications, special events and programming, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. To share Chicago stories, the Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, images and other items that are relevant to the city’s history. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago.