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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 September 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2026. 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 – 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Saturday, August 30 – 12 pm to 11:30 pm
- Sunday, August 31 – 12 pm to 11:30 pm
- Monday, September 1 – 12 pm to 11:30 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!
2026 Food Vendors
- Alexandra Foods
- Home Bakery & Fest Dumpling House
- I Love Grill & Lemonade
- I Love Grill & Lemonade – Zapiekanza
- Polska Chata
- Tato’s Pierogi
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
Some of the featured entertainers include:
Headlining Polish performers
- Feel
- Ørganek (performing Saturday and Monday)
- Michał Wiśniewski Akustycznie (Sunday and Monday)
- Mlynn Sea Shanties
- July Trio
Tribute & Rock bands
- Pink Talking Fish
- Hi Infidelity
- The Neverly Brothers
- The Fortunate Sons
- The Phil Collins Experience
- Slippery When Wet
- Chicago Tribute Anthology
- The PriSSillas
- The Polkaholics
- No Turn on Red
- The Wayouts
- Horizon
- 28 Days
Polka & Community Favorites
- Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
- Polka Generations
- Eddie Wojcik Tribute Band
- Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band
- Fuze
Cultural Performances
- Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra
- Chopin Choir
- Polonijna Orkiestra Chicago
- Polanie Song & Dance Ensemble
- Oberek & Co. Polish Folk Dance
- Wesoly Lud Polish Folk Dance Company
- Ballet Folklorico de Chicago
- Juchasi Highlander Dance Group
- ABC Dance Academy
In total, the festival features more than 60 bands and performers across multiple stages over the four-day event.
Polish Cuisine
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.