The best Oktoberfest parties and events in Chicago
When summer fades to fall in Chicago, there's no better place to celebrate the season than at an Oktoberfest event. Some of Chicago's best bars and breweries get in on the fun, serving stein after stein of malty beer at parties throughout the city. Even if you don't want to drink a liter of beer, you can still enjoy eating pretzels, sampling sausages and listing to German music. Not sure where to join in on the fun? We've compiled a list of all the best Oktoberfest celebrations in Chicago, including brewery bashes, community events, river cruises and more.
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Chicago Oktoberfest events
German-American Oktoberfest
Grab a plastic stein and munch on a pretzel at this annual Lincoln Square celebration of Deutschland heritage. The street party takes place under two gigantic tents and features plenty of German food, music and dancing. Make sure to stop by to see the annual Von Steuben Parade march up Lincoln Avenue on Saturday at 2pm.
Two Brothers Oktoberfest
Make your way out to the Two Borthers Brewing Company's Roundhouse in Aurora (it's located right by a Metra station) for the brewery's annual Oktoberfest. This year's event is filled with activities and entertainment, including stein-holding contests, music from oompah band the Happy Wanderers and a beer choir. You can also sample authentic German food while you sip Two Brothers' Oktoberfest-style lager, Atom Smasher.
Oktoberfest Beer, Brats and Boats Cruise
Celebrate Oktoberfest on the Chicago River during Shoreline Sightseeing's festive cruise. Guests board a boat for an evening of beer (served in a souvenir stein), brats that are prepared and served by the Paulina Meat Market and music from the Paloma Band.
Burnt City Brewing Oktoberfest
You can bring your own stein to Burnt City Brewing, where they'll fill you up with a one-liter pour of Oktoberfest Märzen for just $6. Don't forget to order some sausage, schnitzel and sauerkraut—you're going to need something to soak up all that booze.
Revolution Oktoberfest
Revolution Brewing's annual Oktoberfest celebration returns to the streets of Logan Square, welcoming attendees to quaff a few beers while enjoying a stacked music lineup and German eats from the likes of Dönermen and the Radler. Local folk-rock act Whitney and Mary Timony's noisy trio Ex Hex headline the stage on Friday, while garage-rock vets King Khan and the Shrines and Japanese psych rocker Kikagaku Moyo top Saturday's bill. A $5 donation gets you into this fall street fest, located just off the California Blue Line stop in front of the Revolution brewpub, with proceeds benefitting the Friends of Goethe School.
St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest
St. Alphonsus Church's annual Oktoberfest celebration features plenty of brews—including separately ticketed craft beer tasting sessions on Friday and Saturday night—as well as activities and entertainment for kids and families. The fextive weekend hosts performances from a variety of cover bands, including tributes to the Beatles, ’80s hits and a rock 'n' roll polka act.
Dusek's Blocktoberfest
Oktoberfest comes to Pilsen at Dusek's annual block party, which takes place on the street just outside of Thalia Hall. Admission is free and once attendees are inside the gates, they can enjoy German food (including Dusek's pretzels and sausages), seasonal beer and a special punch. A lineup of local DJs provide tunes to soundtrack the festivities, and Tack Room will transform into a Kid's Zone, where the little ones can entertain themselves while you're celebrating.
