Chocolate lovers are invited to three days of indulgence when Chocolate Fest returns to the historic streets of downtown Long Grove.
Chocolate Fest offers three days of chocolate-infused cuisine and themed experiences plus live music, games, artists, and carnival rides. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. Friday, May 19, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 21. Tickets, $5 per day or $10 for a three-day pass, are available throughwww.longgrove.org/festivals/chocolatefest. Children younger than 12 are admitted free with a paid adult.
The GPS address is 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, and free parking is available in the village, as well as a shuttle from Golf Dome, 801 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove.
Here’s a look at what you can expect at this year’s fest:
Chocolate vendors
Above all else, Chocolate Fest is known for its diverse selection of foods and drinks made with or dipped in chocolate. The festival features dozens of chocolate vendors dishing out treats like chocolate doughnuts, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate cupcakes, cake pops, cocoa bombs, chocolate truffles, chocolate croissants, chocolate éclairs, chocolate macaroons, hand-dipped fine chocolates, chocolate covered funnel cakes, chocolate popcorn, chocolate cotton candy, frozen hot chocolate, and more.
Chocolate experiences
Meanwhile, visitors can engage in a sensorium of chocolate at various themed experiences located around the village and inside participating shops and restaurants. Historic Long Grove converts into a one giant chocolate lab during Chocolate Fest, with many merchants in town offering interactive experiences such as chocolate and wine pairings, and chocolate candy-making demonstrations and viewing opportunities to see how the process unfolds up close.
For competitive types, the iconic chocolate factory wrapping scene from the classic episode of “I Love Lucy” is being re-created (and sponsored by Long Grove Confectionery) on the busiest corner of the fest for anybody who is up for an extreme chocolate indulging challenge.
Music
As always, Chocolate Fest will host multiple stages of live entertainment and music, from stripped-down acoustic artists to Chicago’s biggest party bands, sprinkled throughout the historic town. The main stage schedule is as follows:
Friday, May 19
2:30-4 p.m.: Daniel Cronson Band
4:30-6 p.m.: Vinyl Goldmine — Gerald
6:30-8:20 p.m.: Heart 2 Heartbreaker
9-11 p.m.: Eliminator
Saturday, May 20
Noon to 1 p.m.: School of Rock Arlington Heights
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Six on Friday
3-4:30 p.m.: David’s House
5-6:30 p.m.: Charlie Foxtrot
7- 8:20 p.m.: The Gingers
9-11 p.m.: ARRA
Sunday, May 21
Noon to 1 p.m.: School of Rock Barrington
1:30-3:30 p.m.: The Noize
4-6 p.m.: American English
Activities
For the young and young at heart, Chocolate Fest 2023 will include complimentary throwback games, chocolate pie eating contests, impersonators, live animal shows, DJs, and chocolate arts and crafts in Fountain Square (stage lineup follows below).
There will also be a separate classic carnival area with thrill rides and games.
New this year, in Towner Green, an Artist Row will feature a selection of local artists curated by Long Grove’s own Epilogue. Chocolate Fest marks the official opening of the spring shopping season in town, with village merchants featuring big promos and sales throughout the event weekend in addition to decadent chocolate-themed specialties.
Saturday, May 20
Noon to 12:45 p.m.: Super Stolie Duo
1-1:30 p.m.: Pie eating contest
2-3 p.m.: Impersonators
3-3:30 p.m.: Pie eating contest
4-6 p.m.: AAA Dial A DJ
Sunday, May 21
Noon to 12:45 p.m.: Ben Tater
1-1:30 p.m.: Pie eating contest
2-3 p.m.: Dave’s World of Reptiles
3-3:30 p.m.: Pie eating contest
4-6 p.m.: AAA Dial A DJ