A humorous vector drawing of a beer festival

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Kicking Off Another Fall Season!

A humorous vector drawing of a beer festival

Chicagoans will be kicking off the unofficial start of yet another fall season this weekend with some new fall festivities and other events sure to please everyone!

Kick off another fall season with an all new, adults-only evening at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Oktoberfest at the Zoo this Saturday (6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  Get ready to enjoy the local German band Die Musikmeisters live on the Main Mall or dance the night away on the South Lawn with a live DJ playing pop and party hits.  Plus, pop-up bars serving beers and other adult beverages will be set up throughout the zoo, while concession stands serve up giant pretzels, bratwursts and other zoo food to quell your hunger.  And of course, there’s more such as lawn games, after-hours access to the zoo’s gardens and animal habitats, and more!  There’s no better way to take a break than to spend a well-deserved night out with your friends!

Another all new, adults-only evening taking place at Lincoln Park Zoo is Oksoberfest this Sunday (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) which is a non-alcoholic version of Germany’s Oktoberfest.  Unlimited samples of non-alcoholic beers and zero-proof craft cocktails will be served along with a special menu featuring bratwurst, jumbo soft pretzels, and other German treats for purchase.  Plus, live polka music from The Dirndolls, other entertainment, lawn games, and more will complete your evening – just without the booze.  Willkommen zum Oksoberfest!

Come join us at Chicago’s first sober friendly Bavarian Block Party this Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-8 p.m.) at Washington Boulevard and Sangamon Street in the West Loop neighborhood.  This event features German foods like brats and soft pretzels, plus non-alcoholic beer and mocktails, a regular bar offering a variety of German beers, and an amazing lineup of Oompah music provided by German polka bands as well as local rock and pop groups, kids’ activities, and more!  Don’t forget to don your Lederhosen and your Dirndl!

For those who aren’t quite ready to kick off the fall season yet, head on over to Gallagher Way in the Wrigleyville neighborhood for its weekend events:

Saturday’s event (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) is the Bags Brawl 2023 offering $3,000 in payouts at the biggest and best cornhole tournament in Chicago!  The tournament will have two phases and all teams are guaranteed a minimum of 5 games.  Show us what you’ve got!

Sunday’s event (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) is the Bringin’ Trashy Back Market which showcases artisan vendors that have transformed blast-from-the-past trash into one-of-a-kind wonders.  This is a free, all-ages, dog-friendly event presented by Nowhere Collective.  Plus, enjoy tacos from Big Star, live jams by School of Rock, and other waste-away activities and crafts.  And you thought you couldn’t be dazzled by debris!

Take a stroll down Ravenswood Avenue from Lawrence Avenue to Irving Park Road for the 21st annual Ravenswood ArtWalk this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.).  This local festival features open studios and galleries, an outdoor arts market featuring 60+ local makers, two stages of live music, pop-up performances, food trucks, a pop-up beer garden, kids’ activities, and much more!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago