💥 POSTPONED 💥
NEW DATE:
OCTOBER 17, 2026
Get ready for the 3rd Annual Midwest Hops & Hot Sauce Festival, the ultimate event in Chicagoland for craft beer lovers and heat seekers alike.
This one-of-a-kind festival brings together the best Midwest craft breweries, cideries, and ready-to-drink cocktails with a bold lineup of artisanal hot sauce makers and spicy food vendors. Discover new flavors, meet the makers, and experience the perfect pairing of hops and heat.
Enjoy a full day of entertainment including:
Hot sauce tastings
Craft beer + canned cocktail tastings
Food trucks
Live music
Cigar bar experience
Games, contests, and giveaways
📍 Location: Aurora Athletic Club, Aurora, Illinois — a scenic outdoor venue overlooking the Fox River near downtown Aurora.
Bring a blanket, grab a drink, and relax on the lawn—or explore the festival grounds and dive into everything from bold brews to blazing sauces.
Whether you're a hardcore chili-head, craft beer enthusiast, or just looking for a fun summer festival near Chicago, the Midwest Hops & Hot Sauce Festival delivers an unforgettable experience for every taste.
🔥 General Admission & Beer Tasting Tickets Available Now
***All ticket holders from previous date are fully transferable***
CRAFT BEER TASTINGS
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HOT SAUCE TASTINGS
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LIVE MUSIC
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FOOD TRUCKS
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CIGAR LOUNGE
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AURORA, IL
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CRAFT BEER TASTINGS • HOT SAUCE TASTINGS • LIVE MUSIC • FOOD TRUCKS • CIGAR LOUNGE • AURORA, IL •
2026 Hot Sauce Companies
2026 Breweries
2026 Food Trucks
Coming soon
2026 Artisanal Vendors
Live Music
Noah Gabriel
Noah Gabriel has made 15 records, [with a couple more in the oven] - the songs seemingly scratching & clawing to get out. He follows no road map; the songs take the wheel. Genres are defied, unusual guitar tunings prevail. And melodies to hang your filthy hat on. If your movie needs a soundtrack, you’ll find one here. [I always do.]
[-Dave Ramont, freelance writer, singer/songwriter]
Magnificent Villains
Magnificent Villains, being the greatest garage rock band there ever was or ever will be, brings eclectic rock selections, presented in the kick-ass style of yore!
Sundazed
Formed with three of the original members from Hitsleep. Sundazed is a reggae/rock band formed in the south Chicago suburbs that brings you melodic west coast beach vibes from the shores of Lake Michigan. In 2022, they wrote their first song titled ‘Feelin Good’, starting them on the journey to creating the band’s debut EP. The record will take you on a ride with energetic ska and reggae influenced jams to catchy sing-alongs, you’ll be hooked after the first listen. The band first hit the stage at Bottom Lounge in Chicago, opening up for Easy Star All-Stars with a fresh take into the reggae scene. Sundazed accents mesmerizing and uplifting sounds that have a unique take on alternative rock music.