THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Celebrating the Fall Season!

While it’s difficult to let go of the summer festival season (especially knowing winter lies ahead!) Chicagoans continue to celebrate their weekends with fall activities!

Returning for another year of seasonal revelry, Oktoberfest Chicago welcomes fall with plenty of food and two stages of Bavarian music at St. Alphonsus Church (1429 W. Wellington Ave.) in the West Lakeview neighborhood.  The weekend excitement also includes craft beer tasting on Friday and Saturday in the parish’s German Beer Hall; as well as a “Kinderfest” featuring games and other activities for youngsters and families on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.  This crowd-pleasing Bavarian party is one of Chicago’s most popular celebrations of fall and all things Bavarian!  So join us as we bring on autumn and pull out our lederhosen!!

Join the Chicago Cultural Alliance as they celebrate World Dumpling Fest this Sunday (12 p.m.-7 p.m.) at Navy Pier’s Polk Bros. Park (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Experience the diverse cultures of Chicago and the world through performance, art, and dumplings as the World Dumpling Fest joins the World Music Festival once again.  These two cultural festivals feature international bands, food & dumplings from neighborhood-based ethnic restaurants, and activities from 40 cultural heritage centers in Chicago!  Remember, every culture has a dumpling and here you can taste them all!!

Beer in the Woods is back for its third year this Saturday (2 p.m.-6 p.m.) with outstanding craft beer and cider at the best venue in town – LaBagh Woods on the northwest side of Chicago (Grove 2).  Taste samples from 30 breweries and cideries while enjoying interactive live animal presentations, home brewing demonstrations, bird walks, an ultimate campsite display, nature-themed crafts, picnic games, local food trucks, a DJ, and more!  There’s plenty for beer and nature enthusiasts alike and it’s all for a good cause – to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County!!

Returning for its 9th year, the West Town Art Walk celebrates art in all forms – visual, musical, fashion, culinary, and otherwise – within shops, businesses, restaurants, and bars along Chicago Avenue between Milwaukee and Western Avenues this Saturday (12 p.m.-8 p.m.).  There will be a public art walking tour, live art making, kids’ activities, art installations, live music in various locations, trunk shows, wine tastings, and more!  And if you make one purchase at a participating retailer and one purchase at a restaurant/bar/café, you’ll qualify to enter the West Town Art Walk raffle!!

The 12th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place at Midway Plaisance and Woodlawn Avenue this Saturday and Sunday.  Chicago’s upbeat jazz scene will be prominently featured at this festival dedicated to Chicago’s most critically acclaimed artists, as well as nationally and internationally recognized talents.  This festival is described as a “near perfect marriage of music and setting,” by Chicago Magazine, and is the essence of a first-class festival presented on 14 stages across the historic southside neighborhood of Hyde Park!  If you love jazz, this is a must attend!!

Enjoy Your Fall Season Activities!