The following Oktoberfest events can be found in our special digital Oktoberfest issue, which can be read here. Prost! 

50th Havana Oktoberfest Sept. 8-10

Come celebrate five decades of historic Havana’s Oktoberfest and its eclectic mix of the modern and the traditional. Head to the city’s downtown district, where you’ll find something for every age at this amazing weekend filled with culture and fun. Get ready for food and drinks, craft vendors, live music, a carnival and parade, bags tournament, plenty of contests (sausage throwing, anyone?), the famous Polka Pace Race and plenty more.

Located at Main & Plum Street in Havana, IL. HistoricHavanaIllinois.com

Kishwaukee Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest Sept. 8-10

Get your lederhosen and dirndl ready, as Kishwaukee Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest party is just around the corner. They’ll be celebrating all weekend long from September 8-10 with fresh beer and firkin releases, live tunes Friday & Saturday from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday 3-6 p.m., fantastic food trucks, stein-holding competitions and more.

Kishwaukee Brewing Company is located at 1900 Dillard Court in Woodstock, IL. KishwaukeeBrewing.com

Oktoberfest at Goebbert’s Farm Sept. 15-17

Oktoberfest at Goebbert’s Farm in Pingree Grove, IL is an authentic German celebration. The weekend of September 15-17 will be filled with festivities including live bands, fireworks, games, competitions, plenty of beer and German cuisine. All regular farm activities will still be open for you to enjoy in addition to the Oktoberfest event. Friday is family friendly from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. with fireworks. Saturday is 21+ only after 6 p.m. Sunday is family friendly all day from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Located at 42W813 Reinking Road in Pingree Grove. Goebberts.com

Sew Hop’d Octoberfest Sept. 15-17

This annual weekend-long Oktoberfest celebration in Huntley kicks off at noon on Friday, featuring a stellar lineup of German beers, including their GABF silver medal winner ALT 140 and their traditional German-inspired Märzen lager that’s brewed in the spring with German Hallertau Mittlefraüh and Liberty hops and then aged over the summer. Expect a kids craft table and face painting, and for the adults, stein-hoisting competitions, food, live music and more.

Located at One Union Special Plaza, Suite 113 in Huntley, IL. SewHopd.com

Rotary Club of Palatine’s Oktoberfest Sept. 15-17

Organized by the Rotary Club of Palatine, which has donated almost $1 million to local charities through funds raised by Oktoberfest, this epic three-day event includes a tapping of a ceremonial keg, family day on Saturday with special programming and activities for the kids from noon-3:30 p.m. (don’t forget the family bike ride beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the town square), live German music, raffles and plenty of food and imported German and craft brews. Bonus: The festival is close to the Metra, the five-story municipal parking deck and several other lots that are free after 5 p.m.

Friday: 5 p.m.-midnight
Saturday: Noon-midnight
Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.
170 W. Slade Street in Palatine, IL
PalatineRotary.com/Oktoberfest

Noon Whistle Brewing’s Naperville Oktobeerfest Sept. 16

Get ready to don your lederhosen and dirndls because Oktobeerfest is coming to Noon Whistle’s Naperville tasting room starting at noon on Saturday, Sept. 16! Join them for a festive celebration filled with a new brew, a live Bavarian band, German food, contests and loads of fun!

Located at 1748 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville. NoonWhistleBrewing.com

Black Lung Brewing Company’s Brewgrass Festival Sept. 16

You won’t want to miss the second annual Black Lung Brewing Co. Brewgrass Festival in Round Lake Beach on Sept. 16. They’ll have eight bluegrass bands, three food trucks, 10 vendors selling plenty of artisan products, plus a few surprises. Don’t forget the special release of a trio of seasonal brews: their amber lager Oktoberfest, Fest Bier and Riot Rye bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout. Music starts at noon.

Located at 2217 N. IL-83 in Round Lake Beach, IL.

Tickets are $25 now online at BlackLungBrewing.com or $40 at the gate.

Sketchbook’s annual Oktoberfest Sept. 22-24

Think tradition — with a few twists! Local food, fun games, contents and live music all three days. Celebrate in Sketchbook’s spacious Skokie taproom, brewery and beer garden or their more intimate taproom in Evanston, right across from two train stations. The Friday and Saturday night rock concerts will be held out back in the Skokie brewery space and will be 21+. Also new this year: Sketchbook’s own relaxed take on Hammerschlagen! Three German beers (Märzen, hefeweizen and helles lager) will be ready to fill your steins, plus a wide range of other styles.

Sketchbook is also thrilled to announce that Forza Meats will once again be grilling up their awesome sausages and more for all three days in Skokie.

4901 Main Street in Skokie. 821 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. 

More info: SketchbookBrewing.com/Oktoberfest-2023

Brotherchimp Brewing’s fourth annual Schimpansenfest release party Sept. 22-24

On September 22, Brotherchimp Brewing will be releasing Schimpansenfest, their traditional Marzen-style Oktoberfest brewed with 100 percent German malted barley and hops. They allow this beer to condition in horizontal lagering tanks for almost two months for an optimally smooth, crisp celebration of German malty goodness. Notes of freshly toasted bread and toffee dominate this easy drinking, not too sweet lager. Brotherchimp has a full weekend of food and music to celebrate the fourth annual release of Schimpansenfest.  

9/22 Michael Rawls music from 6-9 p.m. and Island Boy food truck 5-8 p.m.
9/23 Noah Gabriel music from 6-9 p.m. and Chuck’s Wood Fired Pizza 5-8 p.m.
9/24 Jake Mack and Chad Watson music from 12-3 p.m., and the Bears on the big screen at 3:25 p.m.

Located at 1059 W. Orchard Road in North Aurora. BrotherchimpBrewing.com

East Dundee’s fifth annual Oktoberfest Sept. 22-23

Make plans for East Dundee’s fifth annual Oktoberfest, which will be held on Friday, Sept. 22 from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 23 from 2-10 p.m. Plenty of food vendors, inflatables, face painting, contests and live music. Free admission!

On the big stage Friday will be the Pollkaholics, playing a high-speed collision of polka and rock ‘n roll from 5-7 p.m. and Beyond the Blonde, a tribute to P!NK, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga from 8-10 p.m. On the big stage Saturday will be Die Kellerknaben playing a mix of traditional German and American polka songs from 2:30-4:30 p.m., the Lounge Puppets, Chicago’s premier ’80s hair band tribute from 5-7 p.m., and The Prince Experience from 8-10 p.m.

Location: Downtown East Dundee at The Depot – 319 N. River St.

More information: www.facebook.com/eastdundeeoktoberfest/

Oaktoberfest in downtown Oak Park Sept. 22-23

Celebrate the changing seasons at Oaktoberfest in downtown Oak Park and enjoy a premier music lineup, delicious fall foods from local restaurants, specialty craft beers and even a kids root beer garden (from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday) that offers children the chance to participate in artistic, educational and hands-on activities.

Sept. 22 from 4-10 p.m.
Sept. 23 from noon-10 p.m.
Located at Marion Street & North Boulevard, south of Lake Street in downtown Oak Park, IL
Oaktoberfest.net

Libertyville Oktoberfest at Mickey Finn’s Sept. 22-23

Dust off your lederhosen and say ‘pretzel’ because it’s Oktoberfest in Libertyville! Join the party at Mickey Finn’s back lot Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23 from 5-11 p.m. for this premiere Oktoberfest event (FYI Saturday from 2-4 p.m. is family hour). Enjoy live music, a fein selection of seasonal brews, nosh and traditional Bavarian bier sports like Hammerschlagen or Masskrugstemmen. General admission tickets ($25 or $30 at the door) come with a plastic stein and one beer ticket. VIP tickets ($50 or $55 at the door) get you an extra beer ticket, a commemorative glass stein and the opportunity to tour Mickey Finn’s brewery with their head brew master.

Mickey Finn’s is located at 345 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville, IL. mainstreetlibertyville.org/events

Phase Three Brewing’s Bushel of Apples Fall Fest Sept. 22-24

Grab a pint of Phase Three’s famous A Bushel Of Apples, a delightfully drinkable peanut apple caramel ale, at the source with all the fall vibes. The place to be is Paulus Park in Lake Zurich for Phase Three’s third annual Bushel of Apples Fall Fest in partnership with Affy Tapple and benefiting GiGi’s Playhouse Deerfield and Down syndrome awareness.

They’ve jam-packed each day with special activities, including a movie night, live music, activities for all ages, a silent auction, a special Maker’s Market and more. Five food trucks will be providing delicious eats as well. Bring the whole family for a weekend of fall fun, tasty P3 brews, and even some barrel-aged goodness.

Located at Paulus Park. 200 S. Rand Road in Lake Zurich, IL. PhaseThreeBrewing.com

Chicago’s Brewers’ Triangle Oktoberfest Sept 23

On Saturday, September 23, celebrate Oktoberfest in Chicago’s Brewers’ Triangle on the city’s northwest side (between Roscoe Village and Logan Square). Join Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Metropolitan Brewing and Ravinia for a full day of celebrations. The festivities run from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Head to Maplewood for a pig roast, Metropolitan for a party taking over its entire taproom and brewery, and Ravinia for food and live music in its parking lot.

Maplewood: 2717 N. Maplewood — MaplewoodBrew.com

Metropolitan: 3057 N. Rockwell — MetroBrewing.com

Ravinia: 2601 W. Diversey — RaviniaBrewingCompany.com

Door 4 Brewing’s Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 23

Join Door 4 for their second annual Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept 23 starting at 2 p.m. They will have their popular Seevetal lager on draft along with other local Oktoberfest beers from brewery friends, live music, German-inspired food, the ever popular stein-holding competition and more!

Located at 1214 W. Cerro Gordo Street in Decatur. Door4Brewing.com

Double Clutch Brewing’s Oktoberfest Sept. 23

The Märzen and Oktober Festbier from award-winning head brewer Scott Frank are back, and Double Clutch has a jam-packed day of festivities in store for you during their Oktoberfest celebration at the Evanston brewery from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 23. Expect some family-friendly fun with Mary Macaroni & The Impastas from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., followed by the Polkaholics playing a high-speed collision of polka and rock n’ roll from 2:30 – 4:15 p.m., and Keith Stras & Polka Confetti from 7-9 p.m.

Located at 2121 Ashland Avenue in Evanston, IL. DoubleClutchBrewing.com

Noon Whistle Brewing’s Lombard Oktobeerfest Sept. 30

Join the talented team from Noon Whistle at their Lombard brewpub for a free-to-attend epic Oktobeerfest celebration that’s sure to be a blast. Starting at noon on Saturday, Sept. 23, you can enjoy a new brew, live Bavarian band and German-themed delights. This is a party you won’t want to miss!

Located at 800 E. Roosevelt Road in Lombard. NoonWhistleBrewing.com

Galena Lions Club annual Oktoberfest Sept. 30

The 16^th annual Galena Oktoberfest, hosted by the Galena Lions Club, is on Sept. 30 from noon to 10 p.m. at Depot Park in Galena. There will be plenty of family fun for everyone, including their famous wiener dog races, non-stop live music from two polka bands and local rock band Boogie Monster, beer stein endurance contests, bean bag tournaments, a children’s area with art and games, plenty of food and beer, the Potosi Rolling Bar and more. Admission is $10 for adults and teens and free for kids 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. 

Located at 91 Bouthillier Street in Galena, IL. GalenaLions.org

Une Année Oktoberfest Sept. 30-Oct. 1

It’s been so much fun over the years that Une Année (and Hubbard’s Cave) is expanding to two days of festivities this year! Enjoy some classic and not so classic Oktoberfest music, great beer including their popular Fest bier, a special Oktoberfest menu (mmm… doner kabobs and sausage platters), a thrilling stein-holding opportunity and more.

6343 W. Gross Point Road in Niles, IL. UneAnnee.com

Beltiefest at Cypress Grove Brewing Oct. 14 

Beltiefest, one of the only working cattle farm-based Oktoberfests, is set for October 14. Guests can expect an afternoon filled with music, cows, crafts, BBQ, hayrides and our exceptional Oktoberfest Marzen. Sasquatch Music Camp-and-Jam provides free music from 1-9 p.m. for this family-friendly event. Vendors, food and beer kick the event off off at noon, followed by free hayrides and kids and adults competitions in stein holding, keg rolling and “pin-the-tail-on-the-Beltie.” You won’t want to miss it.  

Cypress Grove Brewing, 1414 N 2400 East Road in Assumption, IL. CypressGroveBrewing.com

Will Run for Beer Chicago 5K Oct. 28

It’s time to raise a glass, as the first annual Will Run for Beer Chicago 5K is coming to the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood on October 28, 2023. Experience a brewtiful, flat 5K course as you enjoy a local tour of the Chicago lakefront and skyline by foot. Then clebrate crossing the finish line with complimentary beer (21+) and delicious food at the lager than life post-race brewfest. Plus, you’ll get some beertastic race swag to commemorate your achievement in style.

Race is at 3 p.m. Brewfest opens at 2 p.m. Located northeast of LaSalle Drive and N. Stockton Drive in Chicago. WillRunForBeerChicago.com