Oktoberfest Celebrations in Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 10/02/2014
(For a list of additional Fall events, check out our Fall Guide!)
Oktoberfests
We’re talking all of the favorites here! From Lederhosen and accordions to Hefeweizen and beer steins, Oktoberfest is ALL about the food, the dancing… and yes… the (ever so responsibly consumed) beverages. But it’s so much more than beer gardens. In Lake County, a lot of our Oktoberfests include day long celebrations full of family activities like petting zoos, pumpkin painting, crafts and tasty treats for the kiddos. So get ready to dine on some schnitzel, eat a pretzel and savor some sauerkraut this fall because Oktoberfest is coming to Lake County!
Fun Facts: Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Germany and is a 16 day long funfest, where only the finest beers, adhering to Reinheitsgebot (Bavarian Beer Purity Law) are followed.
Final Oktoberfest Weekend at the German American Cultural Center in Lake Villa! October 4, 6:30 – 12 a.m. Rain or shine enjoy this indoor and outdoor Oktoberfest! There will be non-stop music, great food and drink and a lot of fun. German dancers will perform charming Bavarian routines and you can join in on the large dance floor in the middle. Plus, free parking! German/American Cultural Center 259 West Grand Ave., Lake Villa, IL
Long Grove Oktoberfest: 2 Weekend Celebration 
Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5 Saturday, October 11 & Sunday, October 12 Hear German bands and learn folk dancing at this old fashioned and FREE Oktoberfest! Take a family hayride through Historic Long Grove and stay for the beer, brats, wine and German pretzels and sausages.
The fun starts early at 11 a.m. under the Beer Tent at the Village with festivities including:
- Beer trucks featuring eight different taps and 16 varieties of seasonal and Oktoberfest beers
- Live Music throughout event including German Music from Mike Knauf, from 1 – 4 p.m. both days.
Fun for the kids includes:
- Free pumpkin decorating and seasonal crafts
- Hayrides throughout Downtown Long Grove (1-5 p.m.)
Insider Tip: This festival lasts through next weekend also (October 11 & 12) with even more family fun like antique tractor show.
Lindy’s Landing Oktoberfest Saturday, October 4, 4 – 11 p.m. Come out for Lindy’s 8th Annual Oktoberfest. There will be a German Buffet, music, beer and wine tasting, beer hall and Tri-BEER-athon. There is a $5 admission into the beer hall. Celebrate fall and October with this celebration on beautiful Bangs Lake in Wauconda. Dance the night away either inside the Beer Hall or outside (weather permitting) at their beach front bar. Take advantage of food specials
Fox Lake Oktoberfest Events Oktoberfest Wine and Beer Walk Saturday October 4, 1-4:30 p.m. This adult only festival will include live entertainment, food and beer all under a tent at the park. Bring friends and neighbors for a fun night of dancing and laughing! Downtown Fox Lake
Fox Lake Oktoberfest Saturday, October 4, 6 - 11 p.m. Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd. Hear live music from “The Alpiners” and enjoy the taste of their Beer Garden featuring a variety of your favorite German & Fall beers. Dine on a large selection of German food at this +21 and older event, including: Bratwurst,Thuringers, Spatzel, Red Cabbage, Sauerbraten, Rye Bread, Sauerkraut, German Potato Salad, Pretzels, Wiener Schnitzel and of course... German Chocolate Cake! See Flyer
Family Friendly Oktoberfest Sunday, October 5, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Revisit Fox Lake the next day, Sunday, October 5th, for a fun packed day at our Fall Festival! Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Tractor Rides, Face Painting, live entertainment from Jonny Russler & the Beach Bum Band. get festive at a Pumpkin Carving Contest, see fall themed crafts from crafters, and enjoy German food and a beer tent and much more! See Flyer Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake
Patty Turner Center's Oktoberfest October 17, 5:30 - 8 p.m. The Patty Turner Center is delighted to announce this year’s grand Oktoberfest Celebration featuring a delicious buffet of Bavarian Fare from the Edelweiss Inn in Chicago and the Oktoberfest sounds of Chicagoland’s very own “Johnny Wagner Trio!” All are invited! All are welcome. Patty Turner Center, 375 Elm Street, Deerfield
Grandwood Park's Oktoberfest Saturday, October 18, 5 - 11 p.m. Join the friends and neighbors for an evening of food, refreshments, and entertainment. Brats, hot dogs, and burgers, along with nachos, funnel cakes, softdrinks, wine, and beer (including Mickey Finn's Oktoberfest again) will be available for purchase. DJ / Karaoke entertainment from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. At dusk enjoy a fireworks show provided by the Mad Bomber, then stick around for a Grandwood Park bonfire. Grandwood Park Ball Field, 36753 N. Hutchins Rd., Gurnee
The "Roads Oasis"Oktoberfest Friday, October 3 - Saturday, October 4 Come out for 2 days of Oktoberfest in the beer garden. Friday and Saturday night will feature German Food, German Music and of course German Beer served by costumed Bar Maids. Crossroads of Ivanhoe, 20915 W. Park St., Mundelein
