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Oktoberfest is a 16–18 day festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It’s generally held from late September to the first weekend in October. It’s one of the most famous events in Germany, with more than five million attendees. 

Oktoberfest is an important part of the Bavarian culture and has been held continuously  since 1810. Many cities around the world hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modeled after the annual Munich event.

In Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, you can enjoy plenty of beer, brats and live entertainment.

WHEN:  Here’s a Vino con Vista Video of Lincoln Square’s German Fest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4h6X-BHrLM

You don’t have to travel to Germany to enjoy an incredible German Festival.

Lincoln Square’s German heritage is still “alive and kicking.”

The architecture, restaurants and shops convey strong German roots. The lovely Lombard Lamp in the neighborhood was a gift from the mayor of  Hamburg, Germany  in 1979.

Lombard Lamp in Lincoln Square in Chicago For 96 years, the local German-American community has celebrated their heritage in Lincoln Square at the annual Street Festival with German music, dancing and entertainment.They even have a beer-tapping ceremony and an annual Von Steuben Parade.

The German-American Von Steuben Parade is an annual parade that is held in various cities across the United States to keep the traditions Germany alive. This Chicago parade was featured in Ferris Buehler’s Day Off.

There are many former and current provinces that proudly call themselves “German” in Chicago. These proud Germans descend from Bavarians (Bayern), Swabians and Hessians (Hessen). The other German-speaking nations include the Austrians (Österreich) and groups displaced by WWII. Leopold Mozart, father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart came from Swabia. Some of the original German homelands are now located in Poland (Polen) and the former Czechoslovakia (Tschechoslowakei) and Yugoslavia ( Jugoslawien).

This venue is packed with brats, beer, German potato salad and sauerkraut. The loyal patrons don their lederhosen shorts, suspenders and German hats. They polka in their traditional German costumes to the vibrant Oomp-pah-pah of the lively lederhosen-clad musicians. They eat bratwurst, thueringer, potato salad and kraut and wash it done with a tall stein of beer.

Although German cuisine was featured in the German Festival tents, there are plenty of flagship German Restaurants in Lincoln Square where you can don your lederhosen and clink your stein. Try the Huettenbar or the Chicago Brauhaus.

There’s much more to Lincoln Square that an annual German Fest. The neighborhood hosts a variety of well-known  restaurants and specialty food shops. Don’t leave Lincoln Square without stopping at Gene’s Specialty Food Store with plenty of homemade smoked specialty meats, gourmet prepared foods and decadent pastries. They even have a roof-top beer garden!

Gene’s Deli in Lincoln Square in Chicago

While you’re in the neighborhood,  pick up a concert schedule for the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Then head over to The Julius Meinl Cafe at Montrose and Lincoln.

Vintage Julius Meinl Coffee Poster in Lincoln Square

As a matter of fact, this Lincoln Square venue is one of the few locations outside of  Vienna,  Austria where you can enjoy authentic Viennese pastries and coffee at the Julius Meinl Cafe.

Chicago is the first American outpost for the Viennese coffee purveyor and specialty coffee roaster. They also have establishments in Vincenza Italy. They serve and distribute Viennese gourmet coffees, fine teas, natural preserves, gifts and accessories for the home @ 4363 N. Lincoln Avenue www.meinl.com.