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If you’d like to go to the largest celebration of Polish heritage, culture and community spirit in the United States, you need to go to Chicago. The Taste of Polonia will be happening on August 29, 30 and 31 and September 1, 2025. It has been held on Labor Day weekend every year since 1980, making it the oldest Polish festival in America.
In the 1850s, large numbers of Polish immigrants settled in Chicago. Many moved to the west side of the city in an area that came to be called “Old Polonia.” Nearly ⅓ of all Polish immigrants in the United States live in the Chicago area. And they have preserved their culture, language and religious traditions. This is per Choose Chicago and the Polish American Association.
Festival Hours
- Friday, August 29 – 5 pm to 10:30 pm
- Saturday, August 30 – 12 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sunday, August 31 – 12 pm to 10:30 pm
- Monday, September 1 – 12 pm to 9:30 pm
This year they are expecting more than 45,000 attendees. This 4 day festival will feature nonstop live music, dance performances, authentic Polish cuisine and beer, exhibitions, over 30 local vendors, carnival rides and games, movie screenings and a large Kids Zone. There really is something there for everyone!
2025 Food Vendors
- Alexandra Foods
- Home Bakery & Fest Dumpling House
- I Love Grill & Lemonade
- I Love Grill & Lemonade
Polish food you’ll find at the festival will include
- Pierogies
- Potato & Cheese
- Potato & Cheddar Cheese
- Potato & Fried Onion
- Kraut & Mushrooms
- Kraut, Potato & Bacon
- Meat
- Sweet
- Cheese & Dill
- Cheese Blintzes
- Apple Cinnamon
- Blueberry
- Strawberry
- Chocolate Hazelnut
- Potato Pancakes
- GoFry Polish Waffles
- Polish Sausage
- Szaszlyk
- Stuffed Cabbage
- BBQ Ribs
- Shish Kebab
- Grilled Polish Sausage Sandwich
- Pork Hock/Pork Chop
- Polish Soups
- Beet
- Kwasnica
- Tomato
- Oscypek – Highlander Grilled Cheese
- Zapiekanka
- Zapiekanka with Oscypek
- Zapiekanka with Salami
- Zapiekanka with Sausage
- Zapiekanka with Ham
There will also be non-Polish food vendors including
- ACA Services – Cotton Candy & Ice Cream Booth
- Taco Motoro Food Truck
- Kona Ice
Entertainment
The festival will have nonstop entertainment. Performers include
- Sixteen Candles
- Heart 2 Heartbroken
- The Polkaholics
- Eddie Wojeik Tribute Band
- Howl2GO – Dueling Piano Experience
- FUZE
- Pretty The Wolf
- One Foot in the Groove
- Lance Lipinsky & The Lovers
- TRIBUTE FLOYD USA
- Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
- StoneDrift
- School of Rock: Chicago
- Gentlemen of Leisure
- Ron Smolen Polka Band Trio
- Recaptured
- Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown
- Terrapin Flyer
- Strung Out
- Biggest Movie & Polish Tango Hits
- TABU
- Cezary Junkiewicz – Stand Up Polska
- VOX
- Mariej Adamczyk – Stand Up Polska
- Polonijna Orkiestra Chicago
- ADAM VAN BEDNARAK
- Krakasy Polish Folk Dance Association
- Collegium Cantorum Polonia Choir in Concert
- VOO VOO
- Ballet Folkloria in Chicago
- Urban Nature – CHICAGO
- Lajkonik Polish Song & Dance Ensemble
- Juchesl, Polish Highlander Folk Ensemble
- Chicago Stories – AMUSEMENT PARKS
If you enjoyed the food at the festival and should like to learn more about the cuisine, try these cookbooks. And you can use our links to save money on them.
- Polish Cookery: Poland’s Bestselling Cookbook
- Polish Cooking Updated Edition: A Cookbook
- Polish Classic Desserts
Visiting Chicago
If you’d like to visit Chicago for the festival, then check out our Chicago Budget Travel Guide.