1. Say Prost!
It’s time to bust out your lederhosen and dirndl for Oktoberfest Chicago. Feast on bratwurst and pretzels, and wash it down with a cold Sam Adams Oktoberfest beer. Polka music and cover bands are also on tap.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday at St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave. $5-$10 / MAP
Find more fests: 2021 Summer Festival Guide
2. Tune in
Nearly 30 live performances highlight the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, including sets by Makaya McCraven, the Marques Carroll Septet, Trio Waz and Coco Elysses’ Elixir Ensemble.
Details: 1-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-7 p.m. at multiple locations including the Midway Plaisance, 1130 Midway Plaisance. $5 suggested donation / MAP
3. Indulge
The Pancake & Booze Art Show returns for its 10th year, serving up artwork by more than 100 artists with a side of complimentary all-you-can-eat pancakes, DJ performances and live body art and painting.
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday at Reggie’s Rock Club, 2109 S. State St. $15 / MAP
4. Bask
Live art, music, sports clinics, a health fair, artisan market and community workshops are among the highlights of the annual Puerto Rican Festival. Performers include Michael Stuart and Charlie Cruz (Saturday) and Pete Perignon and Frankie Negron (Sunday).
Details: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Humboldt Park, California Avenue and Division Street. $10-$15; free for kids 12 and under / MAP
5. Cheer
At Red Bull Dance Your Style, the Midwest’s top freestyle dancers compete head-to-head, with impromptu performances inspired by music playing at that moment. Audience members will decide which dancer will advance to the national finals.
Note: Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or negative test within 72 hours of attending are required.
Details: 7 p.m. doors open; 8 p.m. performance Friday at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. $11 / MAP
6. Experience
Taiko Japanese drumming, Bollywood dancing, Indonesian gamelan music and a kung fu performance are on the schedule of Destination Asia. Be sure to check out the arboretum’s collection of trees from China, Japan and Korea while you’re there.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Included in general admission timed-entry tickets: $16; $14 for seniors; $11 for kids ages 2-17 / MAP
7. Savor
The Elim Dutch Fest includese a pancake breakfast, farmers market, Dutch wooden shoe dancers and a reptile show, plus a chance to chow down on Dutch cuisine like banket (pastries with almond filling) and hutspot (beef and potatoes).
Details: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Elim Christian Services, 13020 S Central Ave., Crestwood. Free / MAP
8. Look up
The Chicago Aubudon Society leads a guided Fall Migration Bird Walk through woodland, wetland, prairie and oak savanna in search of migratory birds.
Details: 8-10 a.m. Saturday at North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Road. Free / MAP
9. Gather
Join ethnobotanist and urban forager Nina Lawrin to learn how to identify more than 10 perennial plants growing in Chicago at Reconnect to Nature: Fall Urban Foraging. The class will go over urban foraging sustainability practices, safety and legality. You’ll also learn tips and tricks for harvesting and processing, and sample some foraged treats.
Details: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Plant Chicago, 4459 S. Marshfield Ave. $35 / MAP
10. Delight
Autumn’s arrival is a good excuse to celebrate at Apple Fest, where you can nibble on apple-inspired dishes, from apple cider donuts and apple wine to granny apple popcorn and apple goat cheese. Live music, family activities and carnival rides round things out.
Details: Noon-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. $5; free for kids under 5 / MAP
Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.