Best Places To Celebrate Oktoberfest In Chicago

Although the place to be for Oktoberfest, the massive annual autumn festival, is Munich, Germany, there are plenty of places right here in the Chicago area for beer drinking and autumn shenanigans of the like. Its origins began from grand wedding reception in 1810 Bavaria, but over the years the celebration has evolved to focusing more on beer, but the size and enthusiasm have not dwindled at all. With German-Americans being one of the largest ancestral groups in the United States, its no wonder that Oktoberfest has caught on in popularity here almost as well here as it has in Germany, and Chicago is no exception to that rule.

Hofbräuhaus Chicago
5500 Park Place
Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 671-2739
www.hofbrauhauschicago.com

At Hofbräuhaus Chicago, every day may seem like Oktoberfest, but believe it or not, Oktoberfest is even better than that. From Sept. 12 through Oct. 31, be sure to stop into the Hofbräuhaus for live music and entertainment, fresh roasted almonds and pecans, obligatory snacks of Oktoberfest, and as much beer as your heart desires. Stop in at the gift shop on your way in for your own personal beer steins, whimsical hats and other accessories, and even toys for the kids.

Oktoberfest St. Alphonsus 
1429 W Wellington Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-0709
oktoberfestchicago.org

For a more intimate Oktoberfest experience in Chicago, Oktoberfest at St. Alphonsus is for you! It's all happening from Sept. 26 through 28 — come out to St. Alphonsus Church for handmade bratwursts, live bands and, of course, lots of cold beer. This year, St. Alphonsus will also feature craft beer nights on Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m., participants receive a commemorative glass and a pretzel necklace, in addition to great bear. On the fest's final day, Sunday, Sept. 28, admission is free for Family Day. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., come out for fun for the entire family. And if there's a game on that day you'd like to see, you can watch it there on a big screen tv.

Berghoff Oktoberfest
17 W. Adams St.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 427-3170
www.theberghoff.com

2015 marks the 30th Annual Berghoff Oktoberfest, and there's good reason why this particular celebration had been enjoyed and celebrated for three decades now, and is still going strong. Berghoff Oktoberfest is Chicago's longest-running and largest Oktoberfest celebration and features free admission daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. From Sept. 16 – 18, there will be daily live music, dancing, ample Oktoberfest menu listings and beloved beer.  The menu items will also include vegan and gluten-free selections, and parking codes are available on the website for discounted prices.

Related:  Ask A Chicago Bartender: Your Best Tropical Drink Recipe

Palatine Oktoberfest 
150 W. Slade St.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 788-9022
www.palatinerotary.com

Admission is free for the Palatine Oktoberfest taking place this year from Sept. 18 through the 20. Located in a heated tent, September can get chilly in Chicago, after all! The celebration will include not only food and beers, but wines as well for those who still want to celebrate but aren't big beer drinkers. If you don't want to drive, you don't have to, as the Palatine Oktoberfest is taking place directly across from the Palating Metra train station!  Come out for some live music and additional entertainment, Family Day children's activities on Saturday,and a raffle offering baskets of goods each worth $500.

Naperville Oktoberfest 
523 S. Webster St.
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6010
www.napersettlement.org

On Friday and Saturday, Oct.r 2 and 3, Oktoberfest will be celebrated at the Naper Settlement Museum, a large, 12-acre, indoor/outdoor pioneer village. If it's chilly out, duck into the heated tent for some live music entertainment, both German oompah music and classic rock, and indulge in some German beer and delicious food. There will also be family-friendly activities going on for the whole crew on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Ample parking will be available in the Naper Settlement visitor's lot, as well as the Municipal Parking Garage.

Related: Best Bottomless Mimosas For Brunch In Chicago

Soon after earning her BA in journalism, Melanie Falina began writing about one of the loves of her life - music. Since then, she's covered some of the biggest names in music, in addition to writing on an array of other topics as well. She has written for Black Belt magazine, KISS: The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine, Examiner, AXS.com, Yahoo Voices, and more, and was editor for Don Lemmon's KNOW HOW Book Three, Refuse To Fail. Melanie is also a poet with five published collections of poetry available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and various establishments.