28 Events to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Chicagoland

Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich on September 21, but you don't have to leave the Chicago area to join in on the fun. Large celebrations with plenty of German beer, food and music take place all over the city and its suburbs, as well as stein-holding contests where participants test their strength and endurance. Local breweries mix up their own version of Oktoberfest beer to enjoy as the weather gets cooler, bars add bratwursts and pretzels to their menus, and even dogs can celebrate at Barktoberfest parties with plenty of treats. Get ready to raise a glass and dance to polka music at one of these 28 Oktoberfest events.

The Loop and the Near North Side

Chicago Burger Company at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Bring your pup to a Barktoberfest party with pet vendors, activities and treats, as well as food and drinks for sale. Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 301 E. North Water St., 312-464-1000, marriott.com

Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
A special menu, available from September 18 through October 6, includes a schnitzel sandwich for $19, a giant soft pretzel for $15, a bratwurst for $18 and Sam Adams Octoberfest for $8.50. Join a mug-lifting contest on October 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. 63 W. Ontario St., 312-943-2252, cafe.hardrock.com/chicago

laurel
The restaurant at the Talbott Hotel transforms its patio into a beer garden throughout October, serving seasonal beers including the Old Irving Brewery Oktoberfest for $10 and the Around the Bend Octoberfiesta for $14. Join us Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. for beer tastings and giveaways from local breweries. 20 E. Delaware Place, 312-944-4970, laurelchicago.com

The Lodge Tavern and She-Nannigans

Drink Oktoberfest beers from Shiner, Goose Island, Spiteful and Founders at Division Street's annual Oktoberfest, which features musical chairs, a stein-holding contest and live music from polka band Die Kellerknaben. Sept. 25, 6-11 p.m., 4-9 p.m. W. Division St., 312-642-2344, she-nannigans.com

North side and northwest side

Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery

The annual Oktoberfest brewery street festival features food trucks, live music, kids' activities and the chance to sample more than 50 beers. Donations benefit the Friendship Center. $5 donation suggested. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on October 12 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on October 13. 1800 W. Cuyler Ave., oktoberfestiversary.com

Bitter Pops

Order a liter mug of Paulaner or Hacker-Pschorr in the Schankstube's new beer garden through September 15 and the glass is yours to keep. Celebrate the official start of Munich Oktoberfest on September 20 at 7 p.m. with a ceremonial tapping of two kegs of Paulaner Oktoberfest, which you can have poured into a souvenir half-liter mug for $15. Test your strength at Bitter Pops' third annual mug-steeping contest on September 21 at 8 p.m. 3357 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-857-7677, bitterpops.com

Burning Bush Brewery

Bring your pup to the annual Bark-toberfest party, where 15% of all sales are donated to Horner Park Dog Park. Tickets are $20 and include a personalized glass. 6-9 p.m., Sept. 19. 4014 N. Rockwell St., 773-681-0215, burningbushbrewery.com

Cody's Public House

The dog-friendly bar offers the Revolution Oktoberfest for $5 and hosts a mug-lifting contest with a prize of a tour of the Revolution Brewery. Sept. 12, 7 p.m. 1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com

Dog Haus Beer Garden

A special menu offered through the end of October includes bratwurst with caramelized onions and grilled sauerkraut, an Octoberwurst burrito with beer cheese sausage and eggs, Paulaner Oktoberfest and Jägermeister shots. The restaurant will donate $1 from every bratwurst and burrito sold to No Kid Hungry. 2464 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-935-3647, doghaus.com

The Graystone Tavern

Watch German soccer team Borussia Dortmund play in the bar and beer garden on September 13 and 27 at 1:30 p.m. and September 22 at 10:30 a.m. while enjoying Oktoberfest specialties, including bratwurst for $6 and baked pretzel bites with spicy brown mustard and cheese for $12. 3441 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-666-5450, graystonetavernchicago.com

Lincoln Park Zoo

The zoo will be open to adults only on September 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be a party with a polka band, lawn games and pretzel and bratwurst vendors. Tickets are $45 and include seven 8-ounce bottles of German beer from local breweries. If you want fun without alcohol, visit the zoo on September 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Oksoberfest. The $25 tickets include samples of non-alcoholic beer, wine and cocktails. 2001 N. Clark St., 312-742-2000, lpzoo.org

Lottie's Pub

On September 19 at 7 p.m., enter a stein-lifting contest for a chance to win a tour of Revolution Brewery. From September 21 to October 6, enjoy a Revolution, Sam Adams or Spaten Oktoberfest beer and a giant oven-baked pretzel with cheese for $10. 1925 W. Cortland St., 773-489-0738, lottiespub.com

Off Color Brewing and Pipeworks Brewing

The two breweries come together for a party on their normally private patio with beer and cider, food from Funeral Potatoes and Hermosa, music and vintage vendors. Admission is free with registration, but you must purchase a glass if you want a drink. 6-9 p.m., Sept. 14. 3925 W. Dickens Ave., eventbrite.com

Park & ​​Field

On September 12th at 6:00 p.m., there will be a Dogtoberfest on the patio with specialty beers and free dog gifts. Tickets are $10 and benefit the Canine Therapy Corps. The festivities continue on September 19th at 5:30 p.m. with an Oktoberfest party featuring $10 souvenir beer steins, food specials and live German music. Tickets are $5. 3509 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-360-7373, parkandfieldchicago.com

Saint Alphonsus

The 23rd annual celebration inside and outside Lakeview Church will include craft beer tastings, bratwurst, soft pretzels, a ceremonial keg tapping, a mug-raising contest, children's activities and live music from Sixteen Candles and Dancing Queen. $10 donation suggested. Sept. 27, 5-10 p.m., Sept. 28, noon-10 p.m. and Sept. 29, noon-7 p.m. 1429 W. Wellington Ave., stalsoktoberfest.org

West Side and Near West Side

White Cross

The brewpub's executive chef, Brian Enyart, teams up with Mark Steuer of Funkenhausen and Common Decency and Rob Levitt of Publican Quality Meats to combine Mexican and German flavors with specialty dishes offered Saturdays from September 28 to October 19. Listen to live polka music while you enjoy crispy cheese curds, tacos and sandwiches, and a Das Bueno Oktoberfest beer. 904 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975, cruzblanca.com

Mac's Wood Grilled

Specials from September 21 to October 6 include soft pretzels with cheddar cheese sauce and hot mustard ($7), wood-grilled bratwurst with smoked bacon and cheddar, topped with German mustard ($13) and 3 Floyds Brewing Munsterfest draft beers ($8). 1801 W. Division St., 773-782-4400, macswoodgrilled.com

Time Out Market

Gutenberg chef Jorge Kauam will kick off the festivities with a keg tapping at 11 a.m. on September 21 and serve bratwursts and pretzels on the patio from 1 to 5 p.m. Grab a pint of Sam Adams beer, take part in a stein-lifting contest and enjoy music by Frank K Music from 2 to 4 p.m. 916 W. Fulton Market, timeoutmarket.com

South side and near the south side

The Duck Inn

At a pigs-in-lederhosen party in the restaurant's backyard garden, Hawaiian and German dishes are combined with roast suckling pig and tropical cocktails. $49. Sept. 26, 5 p.m. 2701 S. Eleanor St., 312-724-8811, theduckinnchicago.com

Suburbs and multiple locations

Brookfield Zoo

A party on the zoo's East Mall will feature live polka music and Leinenkugel beer, bratwurst, sausages and pretzels with beer cheese for purchase. Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 8400 31st St., Brookfield, brookfieldzoo.org/Oktoberfest

Buffalo Creek Brewery

The brewery's annual Oktoberfest draws more than 5,000 people to the bar and covered beer garden for festivities that include traditional food and beer, brass music, beer bags, mug-holding games and a competition to see who has the best legs in lederhosen. 4-6 October. 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, 847-821-6140, buffalocreekbrewing.com

Double Clutch Brewery

Experience live music from Mary Macaroni, Polkaholics and Keith Stras & Polka Confetti at a party with pretzel eating, mug raising, beer in limited edition mugs, face painting and balloon animals. Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2121 Ashland Ave., Evanston, 224-999-6850, doubleclutchbrewing.com/oktoberfest2024

Hannah's Pretzel

The chain celebrates its German roots with a trio of Oktoberfest bratwurst specialties. Try the sausage on a pretzel baguette with sauerkraut, caramelized onions, and whole-grain honey mustard; in a bowl with chopped kale and sauerkraut; or in a soup with kale, white beans, and diced carrots. Multiple locations, hannahsbretzel.com

The lot

The third annual Oktoberfest in Highland Park features food, beer and wine from over a dozen vendors, including Cafe Dacha, Ravinia Brewing Company and Judy's Pizza, as well as stein-holding contests, pretzel chain-making, a performance by the polka band Bratwurst Brothers and axe throwing. Sept. 28, noon to 10 p.m. 525 Central Ave., 847-432-6000, enjoyhighlandpark.com/oktoberfest

Memorial Park

Sample fall beer, cider and sparkling water and listen to music from 7th Heaven and Karla & the Phat Cats at a Hoptober fest raising funds for the DuPage County Historical Museum. $20-$50. 1-5 p.m., Sept. 28. 225 W. Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton, 630-510-4961, wheatonparkdistrict.com

Naper Settlement

Enjoy German food from local restaurants and food trucks, as well as a wide variety of Oktoberfest beers served in a huge heated tent. The fest also features live music, lawn games, a stein-holding contest, and pumpkin carving demonstrations. $20, $15 for children ages 4 to 12. Oct. 4, 5-10 p.m. and Oct. 5, 3-10 p.m. 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, 630-420-6010, napersettlement.org

Rotary Club of the Palatinate Oktoberfest

The annual festival features live German music, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr beer in collectible mugs, food from local restaurants like Tap House Grill and Tre Amici Pizza, family activities and a raffle. Sept. 20, 5 p.m. to midnight, Sept. 21, noon to midnight and Sept. 22, noon to 6 p.m. 170 W. Slade St., Palatine, palatinerotary.com

Tinley Park Oktoberfest

Enjoy German food and beer, a ceremonial keg tapping, a market, live music and a carnival. Sept. 20, 5-11 p.m., Sept. 21, 1-11 p.m. and Sept. 22, 1-6 p.m. 18001 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park, 708-532-5700, tinleychamber.org

Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.