Reach the peak of your Beer season this year and celebrate Oktoberfest in Chicago with all you have! After exploring the fall beers from local breweries, we know you’re ready for the real celebration. From special events to week-long celebrations, these places will take you right to Germany. Are you ready to build some calories in the tastiest way?

Prost! In The Park

Wait, did I just say Chicago Gourmet has an Oktoberfest segment this year? Yup, you’ve heard me right! Join Chef Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio) for a Sünday Fünday to remember at Prost! In the Park, a beer and spirits festival with brews, bites, and boozie bevs from popular and soon-to-be-discovered producers. Tickets are only $95 each!

The Publican

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

On Sunday, September 18th and Sunday, October 2nd, nine-time James Beard Award-winning One Off Hospitality and Executive Chef Paul Kahan are turning the Oktoberfest celebration at their modern American beer hall into a double Sunday event, honoring the Bavarian tradition the only way they know how: with four courses of hearty eats, plenty of beer, and good times all around in the heart of Fulton Market.

Oktoberfest on Division

She-nannigans, 16 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60610
The Lodge Tavern, 21 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60610

Raise a stein and pull out the lederhosen! Oktoberfest on Division Street is back and will take place on Thursday, September 29 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. featuring She-nannigans and The Lodge Tavern. Festivities include a German word pronunciation game, stein holding competitions, German musical chairs, live music and entertainment from Die Kellerknaben Polka Band, and, of course, tons of Oktoberfest Beer, including Shiner, Goose, Spaten, and Founders Oktoberfest.

Mac’s Wood Grilled

1801 W. Division St. Chicago, IL 60622

The Oktoberfest specials at Mac’s Wood Grilled augment the daily deals during regular business hours Saturday, September 17 through Wednesday, October 5. Specials include

• Soft Pretzel Twists with Cheddar cheese sauce and spicy mustard ($7)
• an Oktoberfest Poutine with fries, fried cheese curds, gravy, and sliced bratwurst and sauerkraut ($15).

Seasonal draft beer selections include

• 3 Floyds Brewing Munsterfest, a Märzen-Style Festbier brewed with German malted barley, aromatic Bavarian noble hops, and traditional lager yeast ($8, 16-ounces)
• Revolution Brewing Oktoberfest, a long-lagered Festbier using traditional German ingredients and methods ($7,16-ounces)

Old Town Pour House

all locations

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Old Town Pour House (Chicago, Oak Brook, and Naperville). From Wednesday, September 17 — Sunday, October 3, diners will enjoy incredible German-inspired menu specials, including:

• Smokehouse Currywurst with bacon braised sauerkraut ($15)
• Crispy Pork Belly Spaetzle basted in brown butter ($21)
• Pork Schnitzel with warm potato salad ($25)

With a stellar selection of fall beers on tap at all locations, Oktoberfest-ers will be sure to get their fill of seasonal beer favorites as well!

Tuman’s Tap & Grill

2159 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Tuman’s celebrates Oktoberfest with an all-day kickoff party on Saturday, September 17, and an ongoing celebration of seasonal beers and brats through Monday, October 31. The kick-off party tapping features eight Oktoberfest beers, including award-winning German Festbiers, German-inspired Chicago-made beers, and a limited-release bourbon barrel-aged Märzenbier. The classic Festbiers are served in traditional steins; pricing is $8 for a half-liter and $15 for a liter. The barrel-aged beer is served in a 13.2-ounce snifter ($8).

The bar also debuts a $15 Paulina Meat Market Smoked Thuringer Brat and Oktoberfest Pork Beer Brat Dinner at the kick-off party. The brats are served with sauteed cabbage, crispy bacon, and roasted potatoes, plus a side of German mustard (available after 4 p.m. daily from September 17 through October 31).

Time Out Market

916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

We are dusting off our Dirndls and Lederhosen for Oktoberfest at the Market! Time Out Market partnered with Sam Adams this year to bring you a weekend full of Beer & events! The celebration begins on Friday October 7, 2022, featuring DJ, Stein Hoisting Contest, Oktoberfest Sampling & Giveaways, and a pop-up bar with Steins and Sam Adams Octoberfest. Kid-friendly events can be found over the weekend combined with more music and beer for the adults. Tickets are now available here.

District Brew Yards

417 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60622

Sure, the Brew Yards aren’t hosting a patio party this year. But what’s a better place to go for all the Oktoberfest beers than this beer paradise!? Grab a weekend cabana with your friends, or a weekday reservation. Explore over 40 beers on tap alongside BBQ meat and delicious sides at their cashless, self-serving bar! Reservations are available via Tock.

Two Brothers Brewing

205 N Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505
30W315 Calumet Ave W, Warrenville, IL 60555

Steins full of Atom Smasher. Live Oompah music. The German food favorites. It’s Oktoberfest season! This year, Two Brothers Brewing will have two fests at their two locations:

• Aurora, IL – Sunday, Sept. 18th
• Warrenville, IL – Saturday, Sept. 24th

Each Oktoberfest will have everything you’ve love: steins full of Atom Smasher, German food favorites, live Oompah music, stein holding contests, etc. The best part? Both events are free!

Buffalo Creek Brewing

360 Historical Ln, Long Grove, IL 60047

Lake County’s destination brewery, Buffalo Creek Brewing, will tap into its German heritage when it hosts its annual Oktoberfest celebration, September 30th through October 2nd. The all ages, family-friendly festival features indoor and outdoor festivities throughout the brewery’s Bavarian-themed taproom and two acres of sprawling lawns, biergarten and tented pavilions. Besides traditional beer and food, the free festival is full of traditional Bavarian music, open-air performances, competitions, and outfits.