Fall is the time when the weather becomes tolerable as the temperatures cool down and we begin to layer up in our cozy sweaters. It is also known as the time to exchange cheers for prost! Chicago Oktoberfest is here, bringing bratwursts, dancing, and plenty of brews. Here are all the ways to celebrate Oktoberfest Chicago this year!
1. Celebrate with a beer tasting at the Pilot Project
Head to the Pilot Project, a brewery incubator, tasting room, and cafe in Logan Square. Modeled after the music industry, Pilot serves as a launch pad for start-up breweries, offering assistance with fine-tuning recipes, production, business development, marketing, distribution, and more—the perfect place to commence Oktoberfest. Pick from 24 taps to make your perfect beer flight, and prost the night away!
📅 When: Monday – Thursday
📍Address: 2140 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
💵 Cost: Grab your tickets to Pilot Project Tasting Room here
2. Head to the largest beer garden in Chicago
Head to Millennium Hall’s Double Clutch Beer Garden, Chicago’s largest beer garden, for its 2nd Annual Oktoberfest. Situated under Millennium Park’s infamous Bean, the event will feature German beers, including Oktober Festbier and Märzen. You’ll also feast on authentic cuisines like Bratwurst, schnitzel, and Bavarian pretzels while enjoying traditional Oktoberfest activities such as Hammerschlagen.
📅 When: Saturday, September 30, 11 – 5 p.m.
📍Address: 11 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60602
💵 Cost: Free and open to the public
3. Get tipsy at a Chicago Brewery
Frequently recognized as one of the best beer cities in the country, nobody would dispute that Chicago knows a thing or two about beer. Our seasoned and inventive beer scene has produced many fantastic Chicago breweries. There are now over 200 Chicago breweries, big and small, across Chicagoland, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a finely crafted beer in whatever the Chicago fickle weather has in store.
📅 When: Everyday
📍Address: Various locations
4. Keep the tradition going at Berghoff’s
The Berghoff has been hosting Oktoberfest celebrations since 1984. Known for its German-American fare, this year, the celebration continues inside Adam Street Brewery, the recently renovated bar and in-house brewery. Enjoy live entertainment and try the Brat, Knockwurst, or the Sous Vide Pork Shank. Whether you enjoy a traditional Märzen-style Oktoberfest Bier or go for a Liter Stein to wash it all down, you will surely have a ball celebrating with friends.
📅 When: Everyday
📍Address: 17 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
5. Grab beer flights on the Chicago Riverwalk
As we head into September, we can take in the cool, windy breeze as the sun’s heat subsides. While the Chicago Riverwalk is a notable summer activity, it’s just as pleasant in the fall—and a perfect way to celebrate Chicago Oktoberfest. Head to Northman Beer & Cider Garden, a European-style beer garden where you can request beer flights while listening to German folk artists or other music beats.
📅 When: Everyday
📍Address: 233 East Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601
6. Head to Hannah’s Bretzel for mouthwatering bites
There’s nowhere better to celebrate Oktoberfest than at Chicago’s iconic sandwich shop known for celebrating its German roots. This year, Hannah’s is taking Oktoberfest up a notch, introducing an expanded Oktüberfest Menu of three specialty menu items available until October 31st. The menu includes an Oktüberfest Sandwich, Bratwurst, Kale soup, and their world-famous bretzels.
📅 When: Every day until October 31st
📍Address: LaSalle & Hubbard, Chicago, IL 60654
📍Address: Monroe & Franklin, Chicago, IL 60606
📍Address: 66 W Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601
7. Oktoberfest at Frontier
Head to Frontier for Chicago Oktoberfest this year! The prices include $35 AYCE homemade sausages, pretzels, and sides, plus your first beer in a complimentary Maplewood or Spaten stein, $6 Oktoberfest drafts, and a chance to win prizes in their stein-holding contest!
📅 When: October 14
📍Address: 1072 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
8. Party on Division Street
Head to local favorites She-nannigans and The Lodge Tavern and take part in fun events like a German word pronunciation game and stein-holding competitions while enjoying live music, along with plenty of beer like Founders Oktoberfest, Goose, Shiner, and Spaten.
📅 When: Wednesday, September 13, 6 – 11 p.m
📍Address: 21 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60610
💵 Cost: Free and open to the public
9. Head to the Aloft for Oktoberfest Chicago festivities
loft Chicago Mag Mile is teaming up with Shiner Beer for an Oktoberfest party. A fun way to end the work week and kick-off Oktoberfest festivities, Aloft’s party will feature live music from Die Musikmeisters Band. Listen to the beats and hang out at W XYZ bar, as there will be plenty of Shiner beer, food specials, and stein-carrying contests! Join the celebration and cheer with a “Prost!”
📅 When: Friday, September 15, 5:00 P.M. – 7:30 PM
📍Address: 243 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611
10. Celebrate at Old Town Pour House
The foliage has begun to bleed orange, red, and yellow, so what does that mean? It’s time to dust off your lederhosen and dirndls and celebrate the beginning of Oktoberfest at Old Town Pour House. Tickets are now available for an evening filled with German-inspired bites, festive beers, and lively music that will transport guests directly to Munich!
📅 When: Friday, September 15, 6 – 9 p.m.
📍Address: 1419 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
💵 Cost: Grab your tickets to Oktoberfest here
11. Party at West Loop Bavarian Block Party
It is one of our favorite Chicago festivals that merges Oktoberfest celebrations. The Bavarian Block Party will center on an authentic celebration of German culture, complete with popular German foods such as bratwurst, pretzels, and traditional American fare. The Bavarian Block Party will similarly feature live music, including a mix of German polka bands and local rock and pop groups. This Chicago Oktoberfest festival benefits the Haymarket Center, a rehabilitation center in Chicago.
📅 When: Saturday, September 16, 12 – 10 p.m., Sunday, September 17,12 – 8 p.m.
📍Address: W Washington Blvd & N Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607
💵 Cost: Suggested 10-dollar donation
12. Prost with a Maplewood Brewery beer pairing dinner
Located inside the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel, the ticketed dinner will feature an authentic Oktoberfest-inspired dining experience with seven carefully curated courses accompanied by hand-selected brews from Maplewood Brewery for each course. A Maplewood beer expert will guide patrons through the experience along with Executive Chef Chuck Gillis of The Ashburn.
📅 When: Thursday, October 5, 7:00 P.M.
📍Address: 5300 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
💵 Cost: Grab tickets to Maplewood Brewery Beer Pairing Dinner here
13. Prost! In The Park At The Chicago Gourmet
The annual Chicago Gourmet Festival celebrates Chicago Oktoberfest with a Chicago-style event hosted by Monteverde chef Sarah Grueneberg. On the rooftop of the Harris Theater, this gourmet Oktoberfest will delight you with chef takes on classic German delights, fun cocktails, and cold beers to raise high and toast prost!
📅 When: Sunday, September 24, 1:00- 4:00 p.m.
📍Address: Harris Theater Rooftop, 205 E. Randolph St.
💵 Cost: Grab tickets to Prost! In the Park here
14. Celebrate Oktoberfest in the Brewer’s Triangle
Have you heard of Brewer’s Triangle? Well, it’s become synonymous with Oktoberfest celebrations. On Saturday, September 23rd, head to Maplewood, Metropolitan, and Ravinia for a full day celebrating Chicago Oktoberfest beers and traditions. Join Maplewood for a pig roast, Metropolitan for a giant party taking over their full taproom and brewery, and Ravinia for beer, food, games, and live music in their parking lot.
📅 When: Saturday, September 23rd, 11:00 – 11:00 p.m.
📍Address: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, 2717 N. Maplewood Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
📍Metropolitan Brewing, 3057 N. Rockwell Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
📍Ravinia Brewing Company, 2601 W. Diversey Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
💵 Cost: Free and open to the public
Chicago is 4529 miles from Munich, a long way from the Hofbrauhaus. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have some German fun of our own. This list is the best way to celebrate Oktoberfest Chicago!