World Dumpling Fest

Explore Chicago’s diverse cultures with music, dance and samples of all the variations of ethnic dumplings during the annual World Dumpling Fest on September 19-20, 2026, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of World Dumpling Fest

The Chicago Cultural Alliance hosts the sixth annual World Dumpling Fest to support and promote 40 cultural heritage centers across the city. The fest allows visitors to explore the world through a taste of empanadas from Mexico, pierogi from Poland, pot stickers from China, momos from Tibet, falafel from the Middle East, tandoor & chaat from India and gyozas from Japan. But food is only part of the activities.

Photo courtesy of World Dumpling Fest

World Dumpling Fest features an exciting line-up of cultural performances from the Center of Peruvian Arts, the National Cambodian Heritage Museum, the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago and more. The two-day fest features 15 cultural performances.

A cultural marketplace selling a range of items, including jewelry, clothing, food and artisan goods, will be featured at the fest as well as the Kohl Children’s Museum Family Zone, which will supply interactive arts and games.

Photo courtesy of World Dumpling Fest

Cultural activation booths where visitors can discover and connect with Chicago’s cultural heritage centers include the American Indian Center, Filipino American Heritage Society, Haitian American Museum of Chicago, Ukrainian National Museum and the Peace School.

The World Dumpling Fest runs from 11 am to 10 p.m. on September 19, and 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. on September 20, 2026, in Wrightwood Park at 2555 N. Ashland. Admission is $10 and dumpling tickets can be purchased for $1 per ticket.