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One of Chicago’s biggest pizza festivals has officially been postponed—here’s why
Leadership confirmed financial pressures forced the cancellation, shifting focus toward developing new concepts and experiences for a comeback next year.
Every year, Pizza City Fest brings together dozens of pizza makers from the Chicagoland area for a two-day event in River North. However, this year, the festival will not take place.
Typically, the festival features 14 different pizzerias each day, with all pizzas baked live in professional pizza ovens. Attendees can also enjoy educational seminars, demonstrations, a pizza box folding contest, and much more. While the event was scheduled for mid-August, Chicagoans will have to wait until next year to experience it.
They posted on their website:
After careful review and consideration, we have made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s Pizza City Fest Chicago event. While we are disappointed, it’s the right decision to press pause and refocus on creating an even stronger event for our community, Chefs, partners and vendors.
This news comes with a heavy heart, as no one is immune to economic strains, including us. Without adequate support we simply cannot produce the event and support our charitable partner, Pilot Light.
Our hope is to bring Pizza City Fest back to Chicago next year, bigger and better than ever. Our team is hard at work generating fresh ideas, brainstorming new experiences, and keeping our eyes on the pies to bring great flavors and fun back to the community through Pizza City Fest Chicago 2027.
The event was initially curated by Steve Dolinsky, known as Chicago’s original “Food Guy,” and is the author of “Pizza City USA” and “The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide.” He is also the producer and host of the “Pizza City” podcast and the founder of Pizza City Tours.
