Overview Roscoe Village Burger Fest is a weekend street festival at Belmont and Damen on Chicago's North Side where burger joints from around the city compete for two titles: a People's Choice the crowd votes on by scanning QR codes at the booths, and a Critic's Choice from a judges' panel of Chicago broadcasters and a local alderman. Entry is a suggested donation to the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. Special Events Management produces it; the company says its Chicagoland art and street festivals draw about 1.5 million visitors a year, with close to 500,000 more in its runs and walks. On site In 2026 eleven vendors cooked: Bust Outs, Byron's Hot Dogs, Chicago Dog House, Epic Burger, Fatso's Last Stand, NADC Burger, Reclaimed Bar and Restaurant, Reggies, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs, Tandoor Char House and The Stop Along. Two stages, Damen and Leavitt, run from late morning to 10 p.m., opening with kids' bands from School of Rock and UpBeat Music and Arts Academy and closing on cover and tribute acts such as Without U2, Jessie's Girl, 16 Candles and Mr. Blotto; the Jesse White Tumblers perform too. A kids' zone, arts and crafts vendors, local businesses and nonprofits fill out the street. The Critic's Choice is named Saturday evening and the People's Choice on Sunday night. Audience Special Events Management describes two crowds, families through the day and a younger crowd in the evening. Because the People's Choice is voted by phone at each booth, eaters work their way along the row of stands and score what they try. Talent and Influencers The 2026 Critic's Choice panel was Tim Jacobi of CBS News Chicago, Dean Richards of WGN, John Moug of B96 and 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack. Track record The Stop Along won the People's Choice in 2025 and the Critic's Choice in 2026, when Reclaimed Bar and Restaurant was named honoree. Fifteen partner logos ran on the 2026 festival page. Brand presence Partners take activation space on the street, from a 10-by-10 up to about 200 square feet, hang their own banners, and can have a company VIP give the main-stage crowd welcome. Packages add logos on print ads and signage, the festival website and social posts, and inclusion in or a dedicated send to an e-mail list of more than 60,000. The top level carries naming rights to the festival or one of its pieces, with category exclusivity.