Cost: Admission is free but the food ain't. Tickets come in strips of 12 for $8. "Taste portions," smaller serving of the restaurant's regular menu items, generally cost one to three tickets each and will leave you some tickets and tummy room to try a handful of options. Credit cards are accepted at the ticket booths.

Organizer: City of Chicago

What to expect: Samples of Chicago's best and most authentic eats (check out the full list of vendors), plus a great live music lineup, in an uber-crowded Grant Park.

Why to go: Buddy Guy (July 4) and Counting Crows (June 27) are among the big-name headliners, but the smaller Taste Stage should be the more exciting draw. Don't miss the Hideout's "A Patriotic Salute to our 44 Presidents," which will feature various artists performing songs in honor of each leader from our past. Also, the Dominick's Cooking Corner includes demonstrations from Emeril Lagasse, Phillip Foss (Lockwood), Jackie Shen (Red Light), Amalia Obermerer-Smith (Kuma's Corner) and Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno).

Additional info: Don't forget about the Race to Taste (8 a.m., June 28); it's a great way to burn some (not all) of those calories you put on while tastin'. Participants can stay afterward for live entertainment, plus food and drinks from a few food booths (opening early for runners). The top three overall male and female finishers will receive cash prizes and the top finishers in each age division will also receive medals.

Check out our music picks (with food pairings) and guide to grilled goods at the Taste.

Mainstage (Petrillo Music Shell):

June 26: Charlie Wilson (Gap Band), Cameo
June 27: Counting Crows, Augustana
June 28: The Wallflowers, Lovehammers
June 29: "Broadway in Chicago" (featuring casts of "Mary Poppins," "Jersey Boys," "Young Frankenstein," "Spring Awakening" and "In The Heights")
June 30: Barenaked Ladies
July 1: Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson
July 2: Super Diamond, Afrodisiacs
July 3: Fireworks w/85th Army Band
July 4: Buddy Guy, Guster, Booker T. & the DBT's
July 5: Michael Musso and Jordan Pruitt (Kids Day matinee)

Taste Stage:

June 26: "Indie Rock & Power Pop Friday"
11 a.m.: The Eli Story
12:45 p.m.: Wally Dogger
2:30 p.m.: Kid, You'll Move Mountains
4:15 p.m.: Holding Mercury
7 p.m.: Empires

June 27: "Bloodshot Records Day"
Noon: Andre Williams Trio
1:45 p.m.: The Deadstring Brothers
3:30 p.m.: Dollar Store
5:15 p.m.: Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
7 p.m.: The Waco Brothers

June 28: "Cover Bands Through the Decades"
Noon: Ugoddawanna (2000s)
1:45 p.m.: Green Thirteen ('90s)
3:30 p.m.: Pulse ('80s)
5:15 p.m.: Capt'n Groovy ('70s)
7 p.m.: Hitsville USA ('60s)

June 29: "World Music Day"
Noon: Pantastic 4 (Latin/Carribbean)
1:45 p.m.: The Opposition Party (World/Reggae)
3:30 p.m.: El Payo Nuevo Flamenco (World/Latin)
5:15 p.m.: Chicago Afrobeat Project (World/African)
7 p.m.: Be The Groove (World Dance/Percussion)

June 30: "Tuesday Bluesday - Celebrating Earwig Records 30th Anniversary"
Noon: Rob Stone & The C-Notes
1:45 p.m.: Aron Burton & Two for the Blues with Special Guest Honeyboy Edwards
3:30 p.m.: Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames
5:15 p.m.: Johnny Drummer & The Starlighters
7 p.m.: Liz Mandeville & The BluePoints

July 1: "Tribute Bands"
Noon: Marrekesh Express (Tribute to CSNY)
1:45 p.m.: Tribute to Luther Vandross
3:30 p.m.: Heartache Tonight (Tribute to the Eagles)
5:15 p.m.: Hot Rocks Rolling Stones Show
7 p.m.: Elevation (Tribute to U2)

July 2: "Thrill Jockey Records Day"
Noon: Doug McCombs & David Daniell
1:45 p.m.: Fred Anderson
3:30 p.m.: Bobby Conn
5:15 p.m.: Eleventh Dream Day
7 p.m.: 8 Bold Souls

July 3: "Variety Day"
Noon: Chris Gelbuda (Singer/Songwriter)
1:45 p.m.: Liz Toussaint (Country)
3:30 p.m.: Dan Hubbard & The Humadors (Pop/Folk)
5:15 p.m.: Recorded Music / "The Dance Floor is Open"

July 4: "Independence Celebration"
Noon: Taste of Chicago and The Hideout Present an Independent Independence Day Extravaganza: Songs for Presidents
3:30 p.m.: The Boy Named Crow (Pop/Rock)
5:15 p.m.: Big Sky Stringband (Roots Rock/Bluegrass)
7 p.m.: Lubriphonic (Groovy Funk Rock)

July 5: "Gospel & Jazz" Sunday
Noon: Hip Chicks Jazz (Big Band Sound)
1:30 p.m.: Arthur Sutton & The Gift of Praise (Gospel)
3 p.m.: Shekinah Glory Ministry (Gospel)
4:30 p.m.: Von Freeman (Jazz)

Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein