The Best Chicago Beer Fests are Just West of the City (2025)
Cheers to Chicago’s craft beer scene! With more than 160 breweries and counting, you’ll find a taproom, brewpub, or beer garden in every corner of the city and a calendar packed with beer fests. Did you know that some of the best beer festivals are happening just west of Chicago, where you don’t have to fight the crowds or navigate city neighborhoods to enjoy excellent brews and festive vibes?
Let’s explore four top beer festivals in the near western suburbs, each providing a fun way to celebrate great beer and vibrant communities.
Oaktoberfest | Downtown Oak Park | September 26-27, 2025
For more than 30 years, the Village of Oak Park has celebrated fall with pumpkin spice and beer—lots and lots of beer—at Oaktoberfest. This annual downtown Oak Park event kicks off autumn with seasonal favorites, including fall craft beers and ciders from local breweries such as Revolution, Kinslahger, and Right Bee, plus Hacker-Pschorr imported from Germany. The event also features wine, great local food, and live music. Join this free community celebration, held at Marion Street and North Boulevard, south of Lake Street, on Friday, September 26, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, September 27, from noon to 10 p.m.
What to Expect
Join friends and neighbors in the beer garden, where you'll enjoy a wide selection of beers, including Kinslahger Oktoberfest Festbier (brewed in Oak Park) and Anti-Hero and Cold Time from Chicago’s Revolution Brewing. Other popular choices include Leinenkugel’s Märzen-style Oktoberfest, Hacker-Pschorr Weissbier, Modelo, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA, and Athletic Brewing Co.’s non-alcoholic brew.
Food
Local restaurants really shine too! Enjoy Café Cubano’s delicious Cuban sandwich and savory beef empanadas, or try Q BBQ’s hearty pulled pork sandwich, and Tre Sorelle’s pizza by the slice. Don’t miss the incredible poke bowls from Poke Burrito, popcorn chicken and pork bao from Kyuramen, and tasty tacos and churros from Tacos El Tio. Many vendors offer options (vegan, gluten-free, no sugar added) and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to suit various dietary needs.
Live Music
Friday night’s headliner is Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues; Saturday’s is the Grammy-winning Louisiana Creole ensemble Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience. Branch, a proud 2020 inductee into the Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame Museum in Memphis, is also an Emmy winner and a three-time Grammy nominee. Accordionist and vocalist Simien, an eighth-generation Creole, and his band have electrified audiences for four decades.
Visit Oaktoberfest Music for the eclectic mix of performers and a schedule of the live music lineup.
Family-Focused Activities
Oaktoberfest offers one of Chicagoland’s favorite kids’ festivals. The Kids’ Root Beer Garden on Marion Street features family-friendly artistic, educational, and hands-on activities sponsored by local organizations, plus the annual Root Beer Garden Zucchini Car Races! The Root Beer Garden will be open on Saturday, September 27, from noon to 5 p.m.
Yes, your furry family members are welcome to join the fun, but please keep them on a leash!
Why It Stands Out
Oaktoberfest is distinguished among local fests because of its emphasis on community. More than just a beer festival, it’s a celebration of Oak Park's unique character and culture!
For more details, visit oaktoberfest.net.
Riverside Hop Stop Community Beer Festival | Riverside Train Station | Saturday, September 27, 2025
Riverside's Hop Stop is a beer lover's paradise! Enjoy samples from more than 50 local breweries, cideries, and cocktail makers, including Riverside’s own Quincy Street Distillery, and local food vendors, including Carey Corn and Riverside Foods, on September 27 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Riverside Train Station and Guthrie Park. Each adult ticket sold includes a commemorative tasting glass, and all proceeds support the Olmsted Society of Riverside's efforts for a sustainable future.
Activities
Live performances from Goldmember, High & Lonesome, and others keep the energy flowing, and Pocket Circus, a band of circus performers and magicians, will keep the kids entertained. Children under 12 are admitted free with an adult.
Why It Stands Out
Beyond its celebration of craft brewing, Riverside’s Hop Stop Community Beer Festival brings the community together. The event supports the beautification of this historic village while protecting Riverside’s sustainable future. Take advantage of the free bicycle valet, bring a designated driver, or take the Metra, which drops you right outside the event.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit Riverside Hop Stop.
Oktoberfest | Brookfield Zoo Chicago | Sunday, September 28, 2025
Raise your stein and shout “Prost!” It’s time to celebrate the season of lederhosen, polka music, bratwurst, and beer when Carousel Plaza transforms into Bavaria at the annual Brookfield Zoo Chicago Oktoberfest, sponsored by Leinenkugel, on Sunday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What to Expect
Enjoy live polka bands, a delicious seasonal menu that includes bratwursts, sausages, and pretzels with beer cheese, and a selection of German and local craft beers. Best of all, entry to Oktoberfest at Brookfield Zoo Chicago is included with your general zoo admission, making it an easy and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Activities
During Oktoberfest, zoo exhibits and family activities will be open, giving this fest a wild twist. Be on the lookout for the Leinie’s mobile PolkaPedi cruising around the zoo, offering complimentary swag to zoogoers aged 21+.
Why It Stands Out
Where else can you enjoy a pint of German beer and dance to a polka band while a giraffe looks down its nose at you? This is a one-of-a-kind experience you won't want to miss.
For more information, visit brookfieldzoo.org.
Honky Tonktoberfest Hosted by Wild Earp | FitzGerald’s in Berwyn | Sunday, October 12, 2025
Only FitzGerald’s, Berwyn’s legendary music venue, could turn a traditional Oktoberfest on its ear with a honky-tonk twist. The 4th Annual Honky Tonktoberfest promises a lively mix of country music, dancing, and great food and beer on Sunday, October 12, beginning at noon, with doors opening at 11 a.m. This all-ages event is free with an RSVP.
What to Expect
This event is exactly what it sounds like: a whole lot of Chicago honky-tonk mixed in with a little bit of Oktoberfest! Enjoy performances by traditional country music artists on two stages all day long, along with tasty BBQ and German festival staples from Babygold Barbecue, a selection of craft beers, and an outstanding Oktoberfest beer from Hacker-Pschorr.
There is limited street parking; we recommend arriving by public transportation, rideshare, or bicycle.
Live Music
Wild Earp, a master of cowboy classics, hosts this event with performances by honky-tonk favorites. The lineup is still being finalized but, check back here for more info!
Why It Stands Out
When honky-tonk meets Oktoberfest at FitzGerald’s, toes will be tapping for a unique blend of country music, craft beers, BBQ specialties, and German brews.
For more information, visit FitzGerald's and reserve your spot now; space is limited!
Beer Fests Are Best Just Due West!
Each of these festivals is closely tied to its local community, saluting and supporting local businesses while celebrating Oktoberfest. Whether you prefer a bit of BBQ and a German beer while two-stepping, enjoying wild animals at the zoo, or relaxing while listening to live music, the near western suburbs offer the best way to celebrate the arrival of fall with friends, family, neighbors, and a pint—or two. Prost!
Less than 30 minutes from Chicago’s Loop, these charming villages are easily accessible by car or public transportation. A perfect day trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city, a romantic weekend getaway, a family adventure, a deep dive into Chicago history: The suburbs just due west of Chicago offer all that and more.
Learn more about Chicago's fun next-door neighbors at oakparkandbeyond.org.