So many stein-holding contests.
Chicago’s long and strong German heritage means we take seriously the late-September/early October celebration of beer that is Oktoberfest. And stein-holding is a big part of the festivities, judging by the number of such contests at local festivals. So limber up those digits and prepare to grab a stein — whether you’re just enjoying a locally brewed Marzen beer, or proving your strength — at one of these 20 Oktoberfest events throughout Chicago and the suburbs.
Backyard Barbecue Store
535 Green Bay Road, 847-251-2272
Try German and German-style beers from five breweries including Revolution, Sketchbook and Paulaner, paired with a barbecue dinner. $50. 7-9 p.m. Sept. 26. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Batavia MainStreet
North River Street between Wilson and Spring streets, Batavia, 630-761-3528
The annual bash features music and dance performances, stein-holding contests, wiener dog races, German food and beer, and kids’ activities. Free. 5-10 p.m. Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 28 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 29.
Buffalo Creek Brewing
360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, 847-821-6140
Compete in nail-driving, stein-holding, barrel-rolling and horseshoes contests at the family friendly bash, which features music from the Hirsch German Band, tappings of the brewery’s Big Ludwigski Marzen, and Bavarian-style food specials including brats, potato salad and strudel. Free. Noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 5.
Cruz Blanca
904 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975
The annual Das Bueno Oktoberfest celebrates the blending of German and Mexican culture with beer, bratwurst tacos, music from jam band Mr. Blotto, and a stein-holding contest. $20. Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 19. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Delilah’s
2771 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-2771
The Lincoln Park bar’s 13th annual Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beer Festival features tastings of more than 80 brews including such breweries as Revolution, Schlafly and Great Lakes. $20. 5-8 p.m. Oct. 3.
Evanston Farmer’s Market
University Place and Oak Avenue, Evanston
Sample a dozen fall and Oktoberfest beers along with food from local restaurants and food trucks at the city’s fifth annual Oktoberfest celebration, which also features live music, dance performances, a costume contest and a stein-holding contest. $30-$35. For $5, you also can browse works from 100 artists in the Maker’s Market. Noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 29. Tickets: evanstonoktoberfest.com
Foxtrot Market
1562 N. Wells St., 312-877-5216
The Old Town store hosts a release party for Great Central Brewing Co.’s Festzelt Oktoberfest beer, serving $3 steins and Bavarian bites and offering giveaways and deals on four-packs of the cans. Free. 6-8 p.m. Sept. 19. RSVP: eventbrite.com
Frontier
1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-772-4322
An all-you-can eat feast in the West Town restaurant’s beer garden includes housemade sausages, pretzels, sides and a stein of beer. Additional Oktoberfest brews will be available for $6. The party also features a stein-holding contest and music from the Deutchmeisters. $25. Noon Sept. 28. Tickets: thefrontierchicago.com
Hodges Park
101 Courtland Ave., Park Ridge, 847-692-5127
The Park Ridge Park District’s celebration features food and beer vendors, a ceremonial keg tapping, strudel-eating and stein-holding contests, dance performances, live music and kids’ activities. Free. Noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 28.
Metal Monkey Brewing
515 Anderson Drive, Romeoville, 815-524-3139
Raise a stein of Oktoberfest beer and other special tappings throughout the day. The brewery also hosts potato salad-eating and stein-holding contests. Noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 21.
Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants
Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, Mount Prospect
Enjoy Oktoberfest beer and German food plus music and dance performances. 4-11 p.m. Oct. 10-11.
Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster St., Naperville, 630-420-6010
The 10th annual bash features a giant heated tent serving beer and German food, German and rock music, pumpkin carving, pinball games, pretzel eating and stein-holding competitions, and kids’ activities. $15; $10 for kids ages 4-12. 5-10 p.m. Oct. 4 and noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 5. Tickets: napersettlement.org
The Publican
837 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-9555
The West Loop restaurant offers a Bavarian-themed tasting menu including sour bean fritters and liver spaetzle, and also serves the dishes a la carte. Each table receives a complimentary Bavarian pretzel with peach Riesling mustard, and if you come dressed in lederhosen or a dirndl, you’ll get a coupon for a free beer on a future visit. Pair your meal with a Paulaner Wiesn beer and the restaurant will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Chicago Brewseum. $65. 5:30-10 p.m. Sept. 24
Revolution Brewing Brewpub
2323 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-2739
The annual festival outside the Logan Square brewery features beer and live music from doom metal band YOB, rock group Parquet Courts and others. 3 p.m. Sept. 27 and noon Sept. 28.
Rotary Club of Palatine
Smith and Slade streets, Palatine
Feast on German food, beer, wine and cider at the 12th annual bash, which features live music, a raffle and kids’ activities. Free. 5 p.m. to midnight Sept. 20, noon to midnight Sept. 21 and noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 22.
Rotary Green
164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village, 847-357-4000
The fourth annual fest features Paloma and The Phenix Band, kids’ activities and German food and beer. $8. 6-11 p.m. Sept. 20 and 3-11 p.m. Sept. 21. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Shore Club
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-635-8058
Celebrate Oktoberfest on the beach (Chicago lakefront just north of LaSalle underpass) with beer tastings and giveaways. $20-$25. 6-9 p.m. Sept. 27. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Shoreline Sightseeing at Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave., 312-222-9328
Dance to music from Paloma and enjoy a German dinner from Paulina Market and an Oktoberfest beer served in a souvenir stein while cruising on the Chicago River. $59. 7-9 p.m. Sept. 26. Boarding begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets: shorelinesightseeing.com
St. Alphonsus Church
1429 W. Wellington Ave., 773-868-3010
The 19th annual West Lakeview fest features Bavarian and tribute bands performing on two stages, brats cooked and sold by the church’s parishioners, craft beer tastings and kids’ activities. $5-$10. 5-10 p.m. Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 28 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 29. Tickets: oktoberfestchicago.org
Two Brothers Roundhouse
205 N. Broadway, Aurora, 630-264-2739
Order a boot or stein filled with the brewery’s Atom Smasher Oktoberfest and other beers at the annual bash, which also features German sausage platters, live German music and stein-holding contests. Free. Noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 22.
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
