Strike up the band and roll out the barrel, Chicago. Oktoberfest events will be out in full force during the months of September and October throughout the greater Chicago area. Here is a guide to those festivals being held in the city as well as those held a short distance away in the suburbs.
One of the longest standing annual Oktoberfest in Chicago is held right in the heart of the loop at the John C. Kluczysnki Federal Plaza at Dearborn and Adams. This Oktoberfest by the Berghoff offers plenty of German food, beer, and entertainment. The event is held between September 14th and September 16th. There will be live music during the evenings and during the lunch time hours.
Going further north of the city into the Lakeview neighborhood, the St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church lot will be the host site for Oktoberfest held from September 23rd – September 25t. The hours are 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm on September 23rd, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on September 24th, and 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on the last day of the event. The admission is $5.00. For more information, call (773)525-0709. This is one of the most popular German festivals in the Chicago area.
Progressing northwest of the village of Palatine, the Rotary Oktoberfest is held September 16th through September 18th. The event is located at the Fireman’s Memorial parking lot which is at the intersection of Brockway and Slade Streets. Admission is free and purchase of food and drink will benefit local charities. This festival includes live German music, food, beverages. For more information call (847) 217-1845 or visit www.palatinerotary.com.
About twenty five miles northwest of the Chicago one can find the Oktoberfest 2011 celebration in downtown Mount Prospect at Busse Avenue and Emerson Street. The event is held on October 15th and runs from 4:00 pm to 10:30 pm.
On October 1st, the Fox Lake Oktoberfest will be offering up tasty German fare, beer, hayrides, petting zoo, crafts and live entertainment. The location of this event is 71 Nippersink at Lakefront Park in the Village of Fox Lake.
If the western suburbs are your place to gather, then travel out to Berwyn’s 11th Annual Oktoberfest held September 16th and 17th for some great live bands and good food. The event will be held at the depot district between Oak Park and Home Avenue in Berwyn. There is no charge for admission. For more information please visit http://www.berwyn.net/bdc-community-events/oktoberfest
The far west suburb of Naperville will be hosting Oktoberfest on September 30th through October 1st at the Naper Settlement located at 523 S. Webster Street in the downtown area. There will be entertainment offered for all ages. The admission is $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the gate of which proceeds will benefit the Naperville Heritage Society. For more information call (630) 420-6010.