Overview Ribfest Chicago is a three-day rib festival on Lincoln Avenue in Northcenter where rib vendors smoke side by side and compete for two trophies: People's Choice, voted by the crowd, and Critics' Choice, picked by a celebrity judging panel on the Sunday afternoon. It runs the first weekend of June, and 2026 was its 26th year in the neighborhood. The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, a business and community group with more than 420 members, puts it on, and the gate runs on a suggested donation. On site The rib row in 2026 was Armadillo's BBQ, Aussom Aussie BBQ, Austin's Texas Lightning, Chicago BBQ Company, Eva Lee Cooking, Hell's BBQ, Jamaica One Love Kitchen, Lexington Betty Smoke House, Mr. Greens BBQ, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs and Salt Creek BBQ. Two stages run rock, blues, funk and tribute acts all weekend, with Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Pearl Jam and ABBA tributes on the 2026 bill. Whiskey tastings pour 16 whiskeys and bourbons in timed sessions each day. A kids' area has games and community performances, a VIP lounge has private seating and beer access, and the Critics' Choice judging runs at 4 p.m. Sunday on the Town Square stage. Talent and Influencers The 2026 judging panel was emceed by Tim Shepardson of Rocks Bar Group and included Brigham Avery, host of Hollywood and Ivy; Pascal Ibgui of The Golden Bachelor; John Moug of B96's Moug and Karla Mornings; the Chicago personality Muffy Fishbasket; and barbecue enthusiast Howard Buckner. Track record Aussom Aussie BBQ took both Critics' Choice and People's Choice in 2026, a year after Armadillo's BBQ won. Gate donations go back into Northcenter's schools, nonprofits, economic development and greening, and by 2026 the festival had put nearly $400,000 into those causes. Brand presence Sponsors come in at three levels, with benefits that run from naming rights and category exclusivity down to on-site activations of up to 400 square feet, VIP integrations, stage mentions, banners, a place in the festival's digital marketing and a send to its opt-in email list of more than 60,000.