Ribfest Chicago will be back for its 23rd year in 2023!

August 18th - 20th

Ribfest Chicago takes place every summer in the Northcenter neighborhood! Celebrating 23 years of BBQ, Ribfest Chicago continues to be Chicago’s most anticipated food festival.

3 days
50,000 pounds of pork
15+ food vendors
60,000+ attendees

Come enjoy the sweet smells of BBQ filling the streets of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park Rd.

Location:

Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road and Berteau Avenue

Hours:

Friday, August 18th 5pm to 10pm

Saturday, August 19th 12pm to 10pm

Sunday, August 20th 12pm to 10pm

Admission:

We request a $10 suggested donation at the gate for individuals, or $20 for families.

Proceeds from the gate donations are invested right back into the Northcenter community and help support local schools and nonprofit organizations, economic development and greening efforts. To date, the fest has provided nearly $400,000 in direct funding to these worthy causes.

Lamajamal trio with George Lawler, Eve Monzingo, Joseph Spilberg

Lamajamal performs on the Ribfest Main Stage 1pm August 20th

Like their name, a palindrome derived from the Arabic word for beauty, these five creative musicians take the music of our global ancestors and turn it inside out creating something fresh and innovative yet true to its roots. The group formed in 2004 after meeting for late night jam sessions at a belly dance store in Chicago. Since then they have played events such as the Chicago World Music Fest, Chicago Turkish Festival, Milwaukee's Global Union fest, the Chicago Arabesque Festival, Chicago Cultural Center, CBS morning news, as well as local venues likt the Empty Bottle, the Hideout, the Double Door, Martyrs', and many more. Whether its a folk fest or an underground dance club, Lamajamal has gained a reputation as one of the most energetic live “gypsy party” bands in Chicago. In 2007 Lamajamal released the album "Gypsy Surf", an edgy interpretation of Balkan and Arabic classics done on guitar, drum set, oud, clarinet and electric bass. Their follow up to Gypsy Surf is a highly danceable blend of original music, and dance music from Turkey, the Balkans and the Middle East, recorded with a tasteful influence of urban production techniques such as dub and hip-hop. In 2010, Lamajamal released an album of Kashmiri folk music which was commissioned by the Funkar International Organization for the purpose of the preservation of the Kashmiri language and culture.

“…Lamajamal is a band without borders." - Tony Sarabia, Chicago Public Radio

"…when they're on, they're on, arriving at a fuzzy, garagey take on Roma music thanks to a knack for sexy, serpentine grooves and a mean, mean oud player." - Monica Kendrick, Chicago Reader

“Lamajamal--it must be said--isn't a novelty act. Nor are they taking traditional Gypsy music and simply updating it. They take folk music from all over the world and they put their own spin on it. The response for what they have performed and released has been very encouraging.” - Pioneer Press

"So, here's my thumbs-up to Lamajamal for creating a fun and accessible musical experience that offers the full range of expression from silly to sophisticated. Some of the tight harmonies and culturally-mixed lines and phrases stopped me cold as I found myself transported to who-knows-where. The skill and confidence it takes to be that relaxed playing complex material can only be achieved through much hard effort. What ensemble work!” - Roxane Assaf, Public Relations, Chicago Arabesque