Taste Of Highland Park Returns Next Month: What To Know

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Taste of Highland Park will return to downtown next month, offering outdoor dining and entertainment.

The event will take place along Central Avenue between Second Street and St. Johns Avenue, and in Port Clinton Square at 600 Central Ave.

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Attendees will be able to sample food and drinks from more than a dozen local vendors while watching live performances across both days.

This year’s headliners are All American Throwbacks on Friday and Eve 6 on Saturday. The weekend lineup also includes the Highland Park Players, ALATS Dance Company, MC4, Gospel Friends, Rumor Hazit, Mary Macaroni, Laura Doherty, Uptown Music Theater, a Bitter Jester Music Festival alumnus, and Mike & Joe.

New experiences for 2026 include extended hours on Saturday, added children and family-focused programming, and climate-controlled dining. Saturday’s family programming is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will include face painters, airbrush tattoo artists and appearances by pop culture characters.

The city also said attendees can view an onsite photography exhibit featuring winners of the Capture the Heart of Highland Park contest.

Food vendors will include:

• Ami - Jerusalem street food featuring made-to-order Middle Eastern dishes.
  
• BWB Shakes - Smash burgers, wings, bowls, and shakes served fast in the heart of the Ravinia District.
  
• Cafe Dacha - Eastern European cafe offering Ukrainian-inspired dishes, pastries, and comforting, homemade flavors.
  
• DeNucci's - Classic Italian-American red-sauce favorites served in a warm, old-school-meets-modern setting.
  
• Harmony Coffee Bar - Locally loved cafe known for matcha, specialty lattes, and fresh pastries in a cozy atmosphere.
  
• Indus Progressive Indian - Award-winning modern Indian cuisine with elevated, spice-driven dishes and a refined dining experience.
  
• Judy’s Pizzeria - Family-owned Highland Park staple serving thin-crust pizzas and classic Italian comfort dishes.
  
• Las Torres Mexican Restaurant - Authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients, flavorful plates, and a welcoming neighborhood vibe.
• Lynfred Winery - Illinois’ oldest family-run winery offering tastings, flights, and bottles in a relaxed downtown space.
  
• Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar - A Highland Park icon serving Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, salads, and their famous cheese fries.
  
• Steep Ravine Brewing Company - Local brewery and taproom offering craft beer, tacos, nachos, and a lively community-focused atmosphere.
  
• Tamales Mexican Restaurant - Modern Mexican eatery known for fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and family-friendly dining.

Friday’s performances begin with the Highland Park Players from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with selections from their upcoming production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which the announcement says will run July 17-26, 2026. Later Friday, ALATS Dance Company, joined by MC4 and Gospel Friends, is scheduled to present a Juneteenth program from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Rumor Hazit will perform from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by All American Throwbacks from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday opens with Mary Macaroni at 3 p.m., followed by Laura Doherty at 4 p.m. Uptown Music Theater’s cast of Disney's The Little Mermaid is scheduled for a mini-concert at 4:45 p.m., followed by a poster-signing with actors playing Ariel, Ursula and Sebastian. A Bitter Jester Music Festival alumnus will perform at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the festival’s June 27 grand finale in downtown Highland Park. Mike & Joe will take the stage at 7 p.m., and Eve 6 will close the event from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

More information is expected at enjoyhighlandpark.com/tasteofhighlandpark and on @enjoyhighlandpark on Facebook and Instagram.