Prost! Raise a stein at 15 suburban Oktoberfests

Fifteen Oktoberfest celebrations featuring traditional German food, beer, live polka music, stein-holding contests and hammerschlagen are coming to the Chicago suburbs starting this weekend. Here’s where to join in on the merrymaking.

Friday, Sept. 25

Bartlett Oktoberfest: 4-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 1-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Leiseberg Park, 325 E. Devon Ave., Bartlett. The Tapping of the Golden Keg at 4:30 p.m. Friday kicks off the events, which include live music, beer, food, kids’ activities, exhibitor booths and more. Family activities run from 1-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. bartlettoktoberfest.com.

East Dundee Oktoberfest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. The music lineup kicks off Friday with Polkaholics from 5-7 p.m. and The 1985 from 8-10 p.m., and then on Saturday, the music continues with Ed Wagner’s Brass Band at 2 p.m., Big City Nights at 5 p.m. and Bon Journeyed at 8 p.m. Flex your muscles for the Beer Stein Holding Contest at 7 p.m. Saturday. Plus, dine on traditional German food and beer from local restaurants, and check out the scarecrow display and contest, artisan market, inflatables, family activities and more. Free. eastdundee.net.

Oktoberfest Chicago: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. Head to the city for German food, craft beer, live music, stein-holding contests, polka dancing, a Sunday “Kinderfest” for kids and more. $10 on Friday and Saturday, $5 suggested donation on Sunday. chicagoevents.com/event/oktoberfest-chicago.

Oktoberfest in Libertyville: 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25-26, at Mickey Finn’s Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Come dressed in your best dirndl or lederhosen for this 21-and-older fest featuring live music, seasonal brews, food, and traditional Bavarian bier sports such as Hammerschlagen and Masskrugstemmen (stein-holding). Tickets start at $28.52 at eventbrite.com.

Woodridge Oktoberfest: 5:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 5-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park parking lot, 8301 S. Janes Ave., Woodridge. Get ready for the beer-stein-holding contest, sausage-sculpting contest, pretzel toss, sausage toss and more at this 21-and-older celebration that also includes German food, beers from local breweries and a photo booth. Dance along to music from Linda Lee and the Golden-Aires at 6:30 p.m. and Sixteen Candles at 9 p.m. Friday. And on Saturday, Die Musikmeisters take the stage at 5:30 p.m., with Polka MoJo at 7 p.m. and Nerdvana at 9 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. $20 at the door. Tickets: woodridgeparks.org.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Blocktoberfest: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, on Glenview Road, between Church and Pine streets, Glenview. There will be a plethora of food and beverage options, plus family activities and a Kids Zone. The music lineup includes Band of Very Ordinary Musicians at noon, Echoes of the Alps at 1 p.m., Groove X at 1:30 p.m., Nikki O’Neill at 2:30 p.m., Northside at 3:30 p.m., Zydeco Voodoo at 4:30 p.m., Beyond the Blonde at 5:45 p.m., Andy Thomas at 7:15 p.m. and Los Lobos at 9 p.m. Free. glenviewblocktoberfest.com/experience.

Rosetoberfest: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. German food and music, a dance performance by the Society of Danube Swabians Youth Group and wood-carving demonstrations are part of the fun during the Village of Rosemont’s version of Octoberfest. Free. rosemont.com.

Oktoberfest in Highland Park: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Jens Jensen Park, 540 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park. Come out for the beer and food, Bavarian music and dancing, a stein-holding contest, hammerschlaggen, axe throwing and family-friendly activities. Headliners include Alpine Thunder from 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Icons of Country from 6-8 p.m. Free. enjoyhighlandpark.com/oktoberfest.

American Aid Society Oktoberfest: 6:30-11:50 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the American Aid Society Fest Grounds, 259 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. German music from The Phenix Band, food and beer. Plus, the Rheinischer Fanfaren Drum & Bugle Corp will perform. $9. americanaidsocietyofgd.org.

Friday, Oct. 2

Oktoberfest at Buffalo Creek Brewing: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove. This family-friendly festival features traditional German beer, food, oompah music, games such as stein holding, hammerschlagen and bags, and the Best Legs in Lederhosen contest. Performances include Alpine Thunder Oct. 2-4 and No Pants Polka Band Oct. 2-3. Proceeds benefit Lake Zurich Rotary. Free entry. buffalocreekbrewing.com.

Naperville Oktoberfest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Wear your best traditional German clothes and enjoy German food and beer, food trucks, music, a stein-holding contest at 5 p.m. Saturday, a kids’ activity area and more. The Weed Ladies will be selling floral crowns from 3:30-7 p.m. Saturday. The music lineup features Ed Wagner’s Lustige Blaskapelle from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Polkaholics from 8-10 p.m. Friday, and Freeze Dried at 3 p.m., Whiskey Romance Band at 5:30 p.m. and Fool House (Wow That’s What I Call 90s Tour) at 8 p.m. Saturday. It’s $25, $15 for kids 4-12, and free for kids younger than 4. napersettlement.org/237/Oktoberfest.

Saturday, Oct. 3

North Aurora Oktoberfest: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Riverfront Park, 25 E. State St., North Aurora. Expect traditional German beer and food, activities and polka music in the large covered beer tent with seating (all ages) and a smaller outdoor beer garden for 21 and older. Alcohol will only be dispensed into the village’s Oktoberfest steins, which can be purchased on-site for $13. Each drink token is $6. Free entry. northaurora.org/community/oktoberfest.

Sunday, Oct. 4

Oktobeerfest: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Noon Whistle Lombard Brewpub, 800 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard. This family-friendly Bavarian-style bash features a full live Bavarian band, food, special beer releases, traditional Oktoberfest-style and family-friendly activities. Free entry. noonwhistlebrewing.com.

Palatine Oktoberfest: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Twin Lakes Recreational Area, 1200 E. Twin Lakes Drive, Palatine. Get ready for games, hayrides, drinks, raffles and live music by Die Musikmeisters. Food for purchase includes bratwurst with sauerkraut, German potato salad and Oktoberfest beer. Donate five nonperishable food items to receive a free pumpkin, or buy one for $5. Free. saltcreekpd.com.

Saturday, Oct. 17

Gorton Center Oktoberfest: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Of course, there will be German beer and beverages, live entertainment, games and festivities, including Hammerschlagen. $75, $250 for four tickets. gortoncenter.org