Taste of Chicago, Multiple Oktoberfests, and More: Food Events in Chicago This September

Meredith Francis

August 26, 2025

A close-up of a chef's hand brushing a cut of meat with sauce

Green City Market's Chef BBQ. Credit: Green City Market

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As Chicago summer makes way for autumn, there are still plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weather with food festivals in Chicago and the suburbs. Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park in September, along with the Chicago Gourmet dining festival. Plus, there are several Oktoberfest celebrations in and around the city this month. As always, be sure to check ticket information before you head out the door.

Green City Market’s Chef BBQ

Thursday, September 4 | 1817 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park
One of the city’s largest farmers markets hosts this BBQ event in Lincoln Park, featuring more than 100 of the city’s chefs, restaurants, brewers, and mixologists. There will be offerings sourced from sustainably-grown ingredients from market vendors, “making it the most hyperlocal culinary event of the year.”

Revelry Food & Wine Festival

Thursday, September 4 through Sunday, September 7 | Lake Forest and Libertyville

Five ticketed events and dinners featuring everything from whiskey and art to vintage Ferraris and music spotlight chefs such as Stephanie Izard of Girl and the Goat, Dominique Leach of Lexington Betty, and Joe Flamm of Rose Mary. A portion of proceeds goes to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Festival of the Vine

Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7 | James Street between S. Fourth & S. Fifth streets, Geneva
Originally conceived as a celebration of anything that grows on a vine, this festival in Geneva now focuses on food, wine, and beer.

German-American Oktoberfest (Lincoln Square)

Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7 | 4521 Lincoln Ave.
Lincoln Square’s Oktoberfest celebration returns once again this year, with German food, beer, wine, music, dancing, and more.

Taste of Chicago

Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7 | Grant Park
The city’s signature food event returns this September to Grant Park, showcasing restaurants from all over the city.

Arts on Devon

Sunday, September 7 | 2720 W. Devon Ave.
This arts festival on Devon Avenue in Rogers Park will also highlight the cuisine of the neighborhood, which is one of the most diverse in the city.

Food Truck Festival

Saturday, September 13 | 821 W. 115th St.
The Far South Community Development Corporation hosts this food truck festival in West Pullman, complete with live music and family-friendly activities.

Oktoberfest (Highland Park)

Saturday, September 20 | The Lot, 525 Central Ave., Highland Park
Bavaria comes to the North Shore with Highland Park’s Oktoberfest, located at The Lot and featuring activities for the whole family.

Tacos and Tequila Festival

Saturday, September 20 | Northwestern Medicine Field, Geneva
Geneva hosts this hip hop music and food festival, which features margarita and tequila bars as well as craft food vendors alongside performers like Ludacris and Timbaland.

Halfway to St. Patrick’s Corned Beef Festival

Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 | 1141 S. Jefferson St.
This festival celebrates the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day, with corned beef as the star of the show, along with other Irish-inspired dishes.

Chicago Gourmet

Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28 | Various Locations
The annual Chicago Gourmet dining festival is back, with citywide events this year celebrating with a sports theme, “Step Up to the Plate.” The festival includes a tacos and tequila event, a wine pairing session, a late-night Asian market, a “hamburger hop,” and more.