Get Your Lederhosen Ready: Oktoberfest Events and Other Food Festivals to Explore in Chicago This September

Ready for fall? Get your lederhosen ready, because the Chicago area’s September food events calendar is packed with several Oktoberfests, specialty food festivals, wine strolls, and plenty of other ways to enjoy the last warm days of the year. Before you go, be sure to check event websites for the latest details on tickets, hours, and weather.

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Taste of Polonia

Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7 | Copernicus Center, 512 W. Lawrence Ave.
This four-day festival outside the Copernicus Center claims to be the largest and oldest Polish festival in the United States.

The Great American Lobster Fest

Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6 | Navy Pier
If you’re craving crustaceans, the Great American Lobster Fest at Navy Pier promises to be the “ultimate seafood celebration,” flying in fresh Maine lobster daily. 

Glendale Heights Oktoberfest

Friday, Sept. 11 through Monday, Sept. 21 | Camera Park, Glendale Heights
West suburban Glendale Heights is hosting its 13th annual Oktoberfest celebration. With a big tent set-up, this event is rain or shine.

German American Oktoberfest

Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13 | Lincoln Square at Western and Lincoln avenues
Lincoln Square’s Oktoberfest celebration is back again this year, returning to the newly renovated Western Brown Line plaza, with German food, beer, wine, music, dancing, and more.

Festival of the Vine

Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13 | James Street between South Fourth and South Fifth streets, Geneva
Originally conceived as a celebration of anything that grows on a vine, this festival in Geneva now celebrates food, wine, and beer.

Uncorked: The Forge Wine Festival

Sunday, Sept. 13 | The Forge at Lemont Quarries 
This festival showcases wines from all around the world, and your ticket will get you 20 one-ounce pours.

Lincoln Park Uncorked: A Lincoln Avenue Wine Stroll

Thursday, Sept. 17 | Lincoln Avenue between Diversey and Webster
Sample some 30 seasonal wines as you stroll through Lincoln Park at this event, which turns local businesses on Lincoln Avenue into pop-up wine tasting rooms.

Old Town Oktoberfest

Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1360 N. Wells St.
Old Town is home to this Oktoberfest, which returns for its second year on Wells Street.

World Dumpling Festival

Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 | Wrightwood Park, 2555 N. Ashland Ave.
The Chicago Cultural Alliances hosts this diverse dumpling celebration, featuring dumpling creations from more than 10 neighborhood-based restaurants. 

Chicago Gourmet

Wednesday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 27 | Various Locations
The annual Chicago Gourmet dining festival is back, with citywide events this year celebrating with the theme, “Let Your Tastebuds Dance!”

Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus

Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27 | St. Alphonsus Church, Lincoln and Southport avenues
St. Alphonsus hosts this large, annual Oktoberfest celebration in Lakeview.

Long Grove Apple Fest

Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27 | Downtown Long Grove 
This festival in Long Grove is all about apples – pies, ciders, candied apples, and just about any apple treat you can think of – to welcome the coming fall.

Highland Park Oktoberfest

Saturday, Sept. 26 | Jens Jensen Park, 540 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park
Bavaria comes to the North Shore with Highland Park’s Oktoberfest, featuring activities for the whole family.

WingOut Chicago

Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27 | Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.
The “Ultimate Chicken Wing Block Party” features the city’s “finest wing-slingers” with a diverse array of flavors and sauces.