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[title]The Berghoff Oktoberfest The 27th-annual celebration has its own mascot, a bratwurst named Herman the German. This year, to honor Oktoberfest’s origins as a gala for Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese of Bavaria in 1810, one engaged couple is crowned prince and princess. John C. Kluczynski Federal Plaza at Adams and Dearborn Sts (theberghoff.com). Thu 13, Fri 14; 11am–9pm; free. 3/5 stars
Berwyn’s Historic Depot District Oktoberfest It’s fortified with the essentials: beer garden, amusement rides and live music. Berwyn’s Depot District, along Windsor and Stanley Aves between Oak Park and Home Aves, Berwyn (708-788-8100, berwyn.net). Fri 14 6–11pm, Sat 15 noon–11pm; free. 1/5 stars
Glenwood Sunday Market’s Oktoberfest Local watering holes Glenwood Bar, Sidecar Bar and MorseL host their take on the harvest season celebration. Tap into your competitive side and enter the pickle-eating and beer-stein holding contests. Glenwood and Morse Aves (rogerspark.com). Sept 23 noon–8pm; free. 1/5
Long Grove Oktoberfest Sexy beer girls in peasant dresses and retired grandpas showing skin in the lederhosen speak to the quaint village’s German roots. Townies kick off the fest with a parade at 10am. Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin Rds, Long Grove (847-634-0888, visitlonggrove.com). Oct 13, 14 10am; free. 3/5
Mctoberfest German-Irish relations show no sign of a strain at this bash that combines Munich’s Oktoberfest with an authentic Irish pub. Jimmy’s Bavarians band cranks out the medleys. Fifth Province Pub, 4626 N Knox Ave (773-282-7035, ext.10, irish-american.org). Sept 28 5pm–midnight; $10. 2/5
Naper Settlement’s Oktoberfest Pair bier with festive drinking songs (which sound more like classic American college fight tunes than Snoop’s “Gin and Juice”) played by oom-pah bands Die Musikmeisters and Ron Keller’s six-piece ensemble. Naper Settlement, Pre-Emption House Visitor Center, 523 S Webster St, Naperville (630-420-6010, napersettlement.org). Oct 5 4–10pm, Oct 6 11am–10pm; $15, kids 4–12 $10, advance $10, kids 4–12 $5. 2/5
Oktoberfest 2012 at Haymarket Pub & Brewery Enjoy a tasting with housemade sausages and ten German-style craft beers. 737 W Randolph St (312-638-0700, sausagebeerandcheese.com). Sept 29 2–6pm; $45. 1/5
Oktoberfest at St. Alphonsus Church Put down the brew to dance to live music by the Bratwurst Brothers. The indoor/outdoor affair plays host to Kinder-fest, a tyke-friendly fete. 1429 W Wellington Ave (Southport at Lincoln Aves) Sept 28 5–10pm; Sept 29 11am–10pm; Sept 30 11am–7pm; $5. 2/5
Munich’s Oktoberfest is September 22–October 7.
Rating system
1/5 You’ll go for the requisites—beer, brats and bands.
2/5 We hope you’ve been practicing the Chicken Dance. Things could get real.
3/5 No passport, no problem. This is as close as you’ll get to Munich.