Old Town Oktoberfest
This festival has wrapped for 2026 — it typically returns September 2027.
Old Town’s second Oktoberfest brings Bavarian food, beer, bands, football, and stein-holding contests to Wells Street, Sept. 18–20.
- Dates: September 18–20, 2026
- Where: 1360 N Wells St
- Neighborhood: Old Town
- Cost: Free
How it was
This year's edition is over — the schedule and practical notes below are kept as the record of 2026.
Schedule
- Fri, Sept. 18 — Festival hours: 5-10pm
- Sat, Sept. 19 — Festival hours: 11:30am-10pm
- Sun, Sept. 20 — Festival hours: 11:30am-8pm
What to expect
A newer Wells Street fall tradition leaning into Old Town’s German-neighborhood history: bratwurst, pretzels, German beers, local bands, a big-screen football setup, and Masskrugstemmen stein-holding contests.
Transit
Brown/Purple Line to Sedgwick or buses along Wells/LaSalle. Weekend Old Town parking is hard even before beer steins enter the equation.
Family-friendly
Daytime can work for families; evening is more beer-garden adult energy.
Local tips
- Do not confuse this with St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest the following weekend in Lakeview.
- Because it is only the second annual edition, check lineup updates closer to September.
- If you are doing the Oktoberfest circuit, Old Town is the neighborhood-bar one; St. Al’s is the church-ground classic; Lincoln Square is the heritage-heavy one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Town Oktoberfest the same as St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest?
No. Old Town Oktoberfest is Sept. 18-20 on Wells Street; St. Alphonsus/Oktoberfest Chicago is Sept. 25-27 in Lakeview.
Are admission details posted?
The 2026 organizer page did not show a required admission price during this audit. Recheck closer to the event.