It seems like only yesterday we were getting trampled at Taste of Chicago and clocked with steins at Mayfest in Lincoln Square, but the final crop of fests is here. Ride out the season with this dozen; for a completelist of what’s to come, check out our festival guide at metromix.com.
‘Hood: Lincoln Square
German-American Festival
Pile your plate with traditional eats at the 89th annual fest. Beer and wine, folk dancing and a parade (2 p.m. Saturday) also are on the menu. Lincoln Square, 4700 N. Lincoln Ave. 630-653-3018.
When: 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday
‘Hood: Grant Park
Celtic Fest Chicago
Salute Celtic nations — and men in kilts — with live music and shopping ops, plus food and beer vendors. Headliners include Leahy (Saturday) and Gaelic Storm (Sunday). Grant Park, 300 S. Columbus Drive. 312-744-3315.
When: Noon-9:30 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday
‘Hood: Grant Park
Windy City Wine Festival
Sip wine from 40 vendors offering up 250 domestic and international blends. Live music, cooking demos and food vendors round it out. $25-$30. Daley Bicentennial Plaza, 337 E. Randolph St. Tickets: windycitywinefestival.com
When: 4-10 p.m. Friday; 3-10 p.m. Saturday
‘Hood: Little Village
Festival de La Villita
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with food vendors, live music and arts vendors. On Sunday, the fest serves as the end point for the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade (noon at 26th Street and Albany Avenue). 26th Street and Kostner Avenue. 773-868-3010.
When: 6-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-11 p.m. Sunday
‘Hood: Old Town
Old Town Crush, Music and Comedy Fest
Laugh it up at the fest formerly known as the Wine Crush in Old Town. Food vendors, wine tastings ($40 extra), cooking demos and live music and comedy performances are on tap. $7 donation. Wells Street between North Avenue and Schiller Street. 773-868-3010.
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday’Hood: Wicker Park
Renegade Craft Fair
Shop for handmade clothing, functional objects and DIY curios from more than 300 artists at the seventh annual fest. Also features live music, DJs and food and beer vendors. Damen Avenue and Division Street. 773-227-2707. When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
‘Hood: Lincoln Park
Carbon Day Holiday Festival
Give a nod to the new state holiday dedicated to reducing carbon footprints with live music from the Giving Tree Band and others, plus an organic-food vendor and alternative energy exhibits. Clark Street and Armitage Avenue. 312-275-5747.
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 15
‘Hood: Loop
Berghoff Oktoberfest
Ditch work early for three days of beer-soaked revelry in Federal Plaza Square, offering German fare and live music from Maggie Speaks (Wednesday), Sixteen Candles (Thursday) and others. 219 S. Dearborn St. 312-427-3170.
When: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 16-18
‘Hood: Edgewater
Edgewater Gralley
Shake it to the Chicago Afrobeat Project at the second annual fest, featuring two world music stages, a pig-roasting contest and courtyard “sports bar.” $8-$10. Glenwood and Granville Avenues. Tickets: edgewatergralley.comWhen: Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 19
‘Hood: Roscoe Village
Land Shark Lager Oyster Fest
See Soul Asylum and the Von Bondies at the party formerly known as the Guinness Oyster Fest, where fresh-shucked oysters and pints of Land Shark Lager take the spotlight. $5-$7 donation. Damen Avenue and Roscoe Street. 773-868-3010.
When: Noon-11 p.m. Sept. 19
‘Hood: Lakeview
Oktoberfest Chicago
Dance to oompah and party bands at St. Alphonsus’ ninth annual fest and dine on hearty German fare and beers. $5 donation. Lincoln and Southport Avenues. 773-665-4682.
When: 5-10 p.m. Sept. 25; noon-10 p.m. Sept. 26; noon-9 p.m. Sept. 27
‘Hood: Loop
Chicago Gourmet
Meet Rick Bayless and other local culinary stars hosting tastings, book signings and demos to those with a.) good timing (the chefs aren’t present all day) and b.) $150 to spare. Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. chicagogourmet.orgWhen: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 26; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 27
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rkpalmore@tribune.com
