Maifest Lincoln Square

This festival has wrapped for 2026 — it typically returns May 2027.

German fest back at its original Lincoln Square home. Giant beers, traditional foods, polka bands.

  • Dates: May 29–31, 2026
  • Where: Lincoln Ave & Western Ave
  • Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
  • Cost: Free

How it was

This year's edition is over — the lineup, schedule, and notes below are kept as the record of 2026.

What to expect

DANK Haus's traditional German Maifest in Lincoln Square, May 31–June 3, 2026 (note: a longer multi-day run than most Chicago neighborhood fests). Polka and brass bands from the various German-American clubs (Edelweiss Trachten Verein, D'Lustigen Holzhacker Buam, Egerlander), German food (schnitzel, brats, spaetzle), German and Augsburger beer pours, and a Maypole dance opener. Held outside DANK Haus at 4740 N. Western, in the original German Lincoln Square corridor.

Transit

Brown Line to Western is a 5-minute walk east; the 49 Western bus stops in front. Driving in Lincoln Square on a fest weekend is rough — try the Lincoln Square garage on Lincoln Ave or street parking on Leland (free, 1-hour Sunday limit).

Bag policy

No formal bag check — small neighborhood fest. ID required at the bier garten.

Family-friendly

One of the most stroller-friendly fests on the calendar: wide Western Ave footprint, traditional family programming (Maypole dance, kids' folk dancing), and the DANK Haus cultural center has indoor restrooms with changing tables. German cultural acts run early afternoon — that's the kid sweet spot. By 8 p.m. it's bier-garten only.

Local tips

  1. Saturday afternoon's Maypole dance is the photogenic moment — it usually starts around 2 p.m. but check the program at dankhaus.com.
  2. DANK Haus interior is open for tours during the fest — go upstairs for the rooftop view of Lincoln Square; almost no one knows it's there.
  3. The schnitzel and currywurst are made in-house by DANK members — order from inside for the fresh batch, the outside grills cycle slower.
  4. Sunday afternoon has the live polka brass and is the locals' favorite — Friday is opening night and quieter.
  5. Pair with a stroll through the rest of Lincoln Square: Merz Apothecary and the Old Town School are within 3 blocks.
  6. Cash works fastest at the bier garten; cards accepted but slow.
  7. Bring a sweater — the corner of Western and Leland funnels wind even in early June.