Sadly, increasing insurance costs are keeping The Berghoff from having its Oktoberfest bash this year, but there are still plenty of fests from now until the end of October where you can fete the fall with suds, sauerkraut and song.
The 84th Annual German-American Festival in Lincoln Square is a fall favorite. Hang out in the beer tents and enjoy German eats and drinks, or dance to the tunes of the Paloma, Phenix and Johnny Wagner bands. One of the festival’s highlights is the 39th Annual Von Steuben Parade, in recognition of the German officer’s contribution to U.S. independence (2 p.m. Saturday; Lincoln Avenue from Irving Park Road north to Lawrence Avenue). 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday. Free. 4700 N. Lincoln Ave. 630-653-3108.
Glunz Bavarian Haus will kick off Oktoberfest celebrations with a brunch featuring weisswurst (breakfast sausages) before the Von Steuben parade Saturday. The celebration starts again Sept. 28-Oct. 31, with live entertainment, Munich brews, and a fest special menu that includes soup or salad, half of a roasted chicken, potato salad and a liter of Oktoberfest beer for $20.95. 4128 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-472-4287.
Get your fill of Polish and Ukrainian food at the Ukrainian Village Oktoberfest. Entertainment will include music from the Ukrainian Village Jazz Orchestra and Die Lustigen Musikanten and performances by the Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. 3-10 p.m. Saturday; 1-10 p.m. Sunday. $5. 750 N. Oakley Ave. 312-829-5209.
Fizz Bar & Grill may not be the first place you think of to celebrate Oktoberfest, but that doesn’t mean the bar can’t get into the spirit. Check out the special Oktoberfest menu and brews, and polka to the tunes of Frank K and Company. Or get gussied up in your best serving-wench-wear for the chance to win $350 in the St. Pauli Girl look-alike contest on Sept. 17. 9 p.m.-midnight Sept. 17-18. Free. 3220 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-348-6000.
The Oktoberfest bash at First Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church includes German favorites such as brats, sauerkraut, strudel and, of course, plenty o’ beer. Break out your polka moves to Flechsig’s Oktoberfest Band. 5-10 p.m. Sept. 18. $15-$20. 1301 N. LaSalle Blvd. 312-642-7172.
With its lederhosen-clad servers and oompah band, you could say that Chicago Brauhaus celebrates Oktoberfest every day of the year. So you can bet this German standby pulls out all the stops for the real deal. This Oktoberfest features traditional German fare such as sausages and schnitzel, the Chicago Brauhaus Oktoberfest Band, plenty of seasonal brews (we like the Spaten Oktoberfest) and yodeling contests. Wednesdays-Sundays Sept. 22-Oct. 31. Free. 4732 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-784-4444.
St. Alphonsus Church’s Oktoberfest offers up beer, wine and brats, and music by Bumpus, The Bandoleros and Ross Bon of The Mighty Blue Kings. 6-11 p.m. Sept. 24; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 25. $5-$10. 1429 N. Wellington Ave. 773-525-0709.
Northcenter Oktoberfest was such a success last fall that the fest came back for its second year. Dig into traditional German fare, toast the season with steins full of beer and groove to traditional Bavarian tunes and pop (Mike & Joe play at 3 p.m., Sept. 25). 5-11 p.m. Sept. 24; 3-11 p.m. Sept. 25; noon-7 p.m. Sept. 26. $5. 4100 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-868-3010.
It’s worth the short trip to Evanston to taste some authentic dishes von Deutschland. Kendall College students in the Cuisine of Germany class, along with culinary students visiting from Hamburg, will prepare a buffet dinner packed with Bavarian goodies. Live tunes will be provided by Phenix. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2. $55, includes beer and wine. 2408 Orrington Ave., Evanston, 847-448-2399.
The Drake Hotel’s classy downstairs bar Coq D’or will be decked out in blue and white for Oktoberfest, and you can swill your fill of Becks Oktoberfest beer and fuel up on German dishes and specialty cocktails. The bash will include live performances by Jimmy’s Bavarians and a chance to enter a free raffle for a trip to Germany. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 1-2. Free. 140 E. Walton St. 312-932-4623.
More weekend festivals . . .
Around the Coyote Fall Arts Fest
The city’s biggest art event, this annual studio walk and exhibition features works by hundreds of visual, film, video and performance artists in locations throughout Wicker Park and Bucktown. Don’t miss Thursday’s opening-night bash–where you can meet the artists–at Up the Stairs Gallery (1935 1/2 North Ave.) from 8 p.m. to midnight. Find the full schedule on metromix.com. 8 p.m.-midnight Thursday; 6-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. $5-$7; $20 for opening-night party. Various locations. 773-342-6777.
Bucktown’s Best Food, Fashion and Fun
Bid on designs from 15 local boutiques, including Helen Yi, Robin Richman and I Candy during a fashion show, the highlight of this inaugural outdoor event. Includes food from Penny’s Noodle Shop, Cafe Laguardia, Coast and more neighborhood eateries. DJ The Librarian spins. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $10-$50. Outside Club Lucky, 1824 W. Wabansia Ave. 312-409-8305.
Guinness Oyster Festival
Celebrate two of our favorite things: stout and seafood. Slurp your fill of oysters and toast the festivities with pints of Guinness. Live music includes Cake and Marcy Playground. 4-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $7-$10. New City YMCA, 1515 N. Halsted St. 773-868-3010.
