Tracking Chicago Food Event Cancellations Due to the Novel Coronavirus

Chicagoans across the city are reacting to the the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The city’s bars and restaurants are prepping for impact, and so are the areas event organizers. Several have cancelled festivals, parades, and promotions as precautions. Here’s a running list of events cancelled due to the out break. This post will be continually updated.

Spot an event cancellation? Please email chicago@eater.com with any pertinent info.

AROUND TOWN — Annual women-led bar industry conference Chicago Style, slated for spring, is postponed until further notice, according to a news release.

BEVERLY — Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday that she has canceled the South Side Irish Parade, organizers wrote on the event website and multiple media sources reported. Several bars in the neighborhoods where the parade passes through see a huge uptick in business

BRIDGEPORT — Chicago’s Common Threads Chef Takeover event is postponed, organizers wrote in an online statement. It was slated for March 16 at the South Side’s Zhou B Art Center.

BRIDGEPORT—The team behind the semi-regular soup fundraises held in conjunction with Marz Community Brewing and Kimski, have canceled their event scheduled for Monday, March 23.

DOUGLAS PARK — Stern Pinball’s Pro Circuit Championship, Arcade and Beer Fest, originally scheduled for March 21 at Lagunitas Brewery, is postponed until further notice, according to a Facebook event.

EDISON PARK — Food Industry News’s Shmoozefest Educational/Networking event for restaurant owners and chefs slated for March 24 is postponed. The event is rescheduled for June 10 at Moretti’s Banquets, 6727 N. Olmsted Avenue.

FULTON MARKET — The sixth annual Ramenfest is postponed, according to a news release. It was scheduled to take place March 29 in a new location, Time Out Market Chicago. Organizers plan to announce a rescheduled date “as soon as possible.”

LINCOLN PARK— A college basketball pop-up planned for the former Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap has been canceled, according to a rep. Rebound would have taken place March 21 and March 21.

LINCOLN PARK— Soup & Bread, the series where home cooks make soup to raise money for charities, has canceled it’s last three iterations for March as Hideout Inn is closed for the month. Organizers are short of their $10,000 goal, but the public can help by making a donation via PayPal.

LITTLE ITALY — Annual pork celebration Baconfest Chicago and auxiliary event Da Best Fest are canceled, according to a rep, who wrote that ticket holders will be fully refunded. Baconfest will return in April 2021, while Da Best Fest’s rescheduled date isn’t yet determined.

THE LOOP— The sixth annual Chicago Rum Festival, scheduled for April 4 at Venue Sixty10, has been postponed, according to a rep. A make-up date hasn’t been announced.

MCCORMICK PLACE— Earlier this month, the International Housewares Association canceled its trade show slated for March 14 to March 17.

OLD TOWN — Old Town Pour House canceled its annual “Kegs & Eggs” St. Patrick’s Day party, originally scheduled for Saturday.

RIVER NORTH— Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises has canceled St. Patrick’s Day celebrations slated for Saturday at Pizzeria Portofino and at RPM Events, according to a rep.

RIVER NORTH — Mayor Lightfoot also announced that she has canceled the downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade and Chicago River dyeing, the Tribune reported.

SOUTH LOOP — Spanish restaurant Mercat a la Planxa has canceled its Swine & Wine event scheduled for March 29, according to a rep. Ownership hopes to reschedule for later in the year.

WRIGLEYVILLE— Gallagher Way, the plaza in front of Wrigley Field, has canceled its St. Patrick’s Day celebration slated for Sunday, according to a news release. There is no make-up date planned.

NAPERVILLE — Suburban officials canceled Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and 5K run. Officials will work to find a future date for the events, according to NBC Chicago.