Oompah! Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in the suburbs
Labor Day may have marked the end of summer fun like swimming and outdoor movies, but fall brings its own pleasures. Celebrate the season the German way with some hearty food and beer, music and activities at these suburban Oktoberfest parties.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago
5500 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 671-2739, hofbrauhauschicago.com: The third annual celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, with the filming of an Oktoberfest-themed commercial for Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. Friday and Saturday nights through Oct. 31 you can compete in a stein-holding competition. You can also try Oktoberfest beer brewed on-site and daily specials including braised pork roast Tuesdays and smoked pork belly with grilled pork chops on Thursday.
Schnitzel Platz
729 E. North Ave., Glendale Heights, (630) 942-9900, schnitzelplatz.com: Enjoy the special Oktoberfest menu through Oct. 31 as well as live entertainment on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Glendale Heights Oktoberfest
Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights, (323) 577-3893, glendaleheightsoktoberfest.com: The fourth annual bash features food from Schnitzel Platz restaurant, beer from Munich's Hofbrau Brewery and Austrian and German pastries doled out by servers in traditional garb. Vendors sell German products and you can also check out the pumpkin patch and plant sale. The daily entertainment includes performances from Alpine Thunder, the Elmhurst College Jazz Band and Indy Polkamotion. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 20. Admission is $5 after 4 p.m. and free for kids younger than 16.
The Village Tavern
135 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, (847) 634-3117, villagetavernoflonggrove.com: The restaurant sets up a beer tent in its parking lot every weekend in September for the annual bash, which features live German music from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and hayrides throughout Long Grove from 1 to 5 p.m. You'll also find a variety of German food and Oktoberfest beers on the menu daily through the end of the month.
Downers Grove Oktoberfest
Downers Grove Metra Station, Burlington Avenue and Main Street, Downers Grove, 58foundation.org/Oktoberfest: The second annual family-focused fest, which runs from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, features live music from bands including Evolution and Soulful Remedy, carnival games, a brat-eating contest, wine, beer and German fare from Lemon Tree Grocer. A kids' zone, open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offers a “Frozen”-themed bounce house, story time and face painting. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. $5 for high school students before 6 p.m. Free for kids younger than 14 with a paying adult. Proceeds benefit the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58.
Platzkonzert Germanfest
Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, (847) 781-2669, hoffmanestates.org/platzkonzert: At 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, the annual celebration of the village's German heritage kicks off with a 5K and continues until 10 p.m. with performances from The Johnny Wagner Band, HOTT Productions Dance Company, Centerfold and others. Kids can enjoy a climbing wall, painting and inflatables. 5K entry is $25 and benefits the Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates. Runners receive a drink and a shirt.
Rauetoberfest
11129 Route 176, Woodstock, rauecenter.org: Raue Center for the Arts hosts its own version of Oktoberfest away from its Crystal Lake venue. The event runs from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 12, and includes German fare, beer, entertainment and more. $5 admission; free for kids 12 and younger. Get your tickets at the fest or at the Raue box office, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake.
Palatine Oktoberfest
Palatine Train Station, 150 W. Slade St., Palatine, palatinerotary.com: Phenix, Die Musikmeisters, Jimmy's Bavarians and The Johnny Wagner Band perform at the Rotary Club of Palatine's annual fundraiser, which kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, with a parade and keg tapping. Festivities continue from noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 19, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, and include raffles and food from Heybeck's Meat Market, Tre Amici Pizza and Morkes Chocolates. Saturday is family day, so bring the kids for face painting, games, balloon art and a family bike ride. Free admission.
ODDtoberfest
50 N. River St., South Elgin, ioofelgin12.org: Live entertainment, a beer garden, food and a carnival highlight the fundraiser by Elgin Odd Fellow Lodge #12 and the South Elgin Lions Club. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. Free admission.
Oak Brook Park District Oktoberfest
Central Park, 1450 Forest Gate Road, (630) 990-4233, obparks.org/oktoberfest/ Two Brothers Brewing Co. hosts a series of tastings and pours beers while Real Urban Barbecue sells food at the fourth annual fest, which runs from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. The bash also features music from 7th Heaven and Rock Academy, flag football, sand volleyball and softball tournaments and kids' activities.
St. Matthew-Hawthorn Woods Community O-Fest
24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, (847) 438-7709, stmatts.net: German food, entertainment, dancing and more run from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19.
Two Brothers Roundhouse
205 N. Broadway, Aurora, (630) 264-2739, twobrothersbrewing.com: German food, music, dancing and plenty of beer are on tap for the annual Two Brothers Oktoberfest from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. A full lineup of Two Brothers beers will be available on tap, including Atom Smasher, an oak-aged Oktoberfest style lager, and an Atom Smasher firkin blend. In addition, the bash will include games, raffles and a costume contest.
Oktoberfest Beer Dinner at Tokio Pub
1900 E. Higgins Road, (847) 278-5181, tokiopub.com: The Japanese fusion restaurant goes German at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, with a four-course dinner including beer and cheese soup, bierwurst with fried spaetzle and schnitzel bao paired with German and Oktoberfest beers. Tickets are $45.
Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org: The annual benefit for the Naperville Heritage Society features live music from The Legends (Friday, Oct. 2) and The Polkaholics (Saturday, Oct. 3) plus German food and beer. Saturday also offers kids' activities including a bag toss and hula hooping. Admission is $10 to $15, $5 for kids 4 to 12. Festivities run from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 2 and noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 3.
Mount Prospect's Oktoberfest
Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, Mount Prospect, mpdowntown.com: The annual celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, with lots of food, drinks and music. The bash runs to 11 p.m. both nights. A Fall Festival, featuring family-friendly events, runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 10. Free admission.