🥖🎶 Beef, Bands & Brews: Chicago Italian Beef Fest! 🍻🌭

🥖🎶 Beef, Bands & Brews: Chicago Italian Beef Fest! 🍻🌭

Jefferson Park's Newest Summer Tradition!

Get ready for a brand-new Chicago festival celebrating one of the city's most iconic foods—the Italian beef sandwich! 🥖🇮🇹

Formerly known as Jeff Fest, this longtime Jefferson Park favorite has a delicious new twist! The Chicago Italian Beef Fest brings together some of Chicagoland's best Italian beef vendors, live music on two stages, local artisans, family activities, and plenty of neighborhood fun in beautiful Jefferson Memorial Park.

Come hungry and sample different takes on Chicago's legendary Italian beef—dipped, dry, sweet peppers or hot giardiniera—then enjoy an evening of great music with fellow Meetup members!

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📅 Saturday, August 1, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Jefferson Memorial Park
4822 N. Long Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
🎟️ Admission: $10 (please note for this festival since on park grounds and not city street - payment is required & not a donation!)

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## 🎤 Meetup Plan

🕕 6:00 PM — Meet at the main festival entrance near Higgins & Long
We'll grab some Italian beef, drinks, and explore the festival before finding a great spot near the Main Stage for the evening concerts.
Feel free to wander, browse the vendors, and enjoy the festival at your own pace—this is a relaxed social evening with great food, music, and friends!

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## 🎸 Saturday Main Stage Lineup

🎸 1:00 PM — School of Rock
🎤 3:00 PM — The PriSSillas
🎶 4:30 PM — Without U2
🎹 6:00 PM — Simply Billy (We'll be here for this show!)
Sing along to Billy Joel favorites like Piano Man, Uptown Girl, Only the Good Die Young, and more with one of the Midwest's top tribute bands.
🎤 8:00 PM — Sixteen Candles (We'll stay for this one too!)
One of Chicago's most popular festival bands returns with an energetic night of '80s New Wave, pop, rock, and MTV favorites. Be ready to dance and sing along!

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## 🎶 Jefferson Park Forward Community Stage

🎧 2:30 PM — DJ Sliam
🎸 4:00 PM — 8-Bit Creeps
🎤 5:30 PM — The Prime
🎶 7:00 PM — Salisman
🎸 8:30 PM — Little Church

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## 🍔 Festival Highlights

🥖 Italian beef from some of Chicagoland's favorite vendors
🍟 Food, desserts, beer, wine & cocktails
🎶 Live music on two stages
🎨 Local artisans & community booths
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly Kids Zone
🌳 Beautiful Jefferson Memorial Park

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## 🧺 What to Bring

✅ Comfortable shoes
✅ Appetite for Italian beef!
✅ Cash or credit card for food & drinks
✅ Blanket or camp chair if you'd like to relax between performances
✅ Your dancing shoes for Sixteen Candles!

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## 🚇 Getting There

🚆 CTA Blue Line & Metra: Jefferson Park Transportation Center
🚌 CTA Bus Routes: #56, #68, #81, #85, #91 & #92
🚗 Street parking is available nearby, or use SpotHero/ParkWhiz.
📱 Running late or can't find the group?
Call or text Giovina at 312-835-4259.

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## ⚠️ RSVP Reminder

✔️ Please update your RSVP if your plans change.
✔️ RSVP changes must be made before the event begins.
❌ Three no-shows without updating your RSVP will result in a 3-month RSVP restriction.

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🎉🥖 Join us for an evening of legendary Chicago eats, live music, neighborhood charm, and great company as we celebrate one of the city's newest summer traditions.

Come hungry, bring a chair, and let's enjoy Simply Billy, Sixteen Candles, and plenty of Italian beef together! 🍻🎶