Festival season is here in western Chicagoland and we’ve got you covered with a fully packed lineup to make your end of summer sizzle. No matter your interest, there is a fantastic festival for you near Oak Park! From tasty food festivals to beer fests and to art fests, there is something for everyone in the whole family.
Don’t miss any of this season's hottest events and check the lineup below!
Join us in Kiwanis Park in Brookfield for a day celebrating the arts! Stroll through beautiful Kiwanis park and rows of tents as you discover over 30 local artists and their handmade pieces. Get in on the art action and participate in the fan-favorite Sidewalk Chalk drawing contest! Stay tuned and join in on this year’s community art project. As you walk through the festival, bask in lovely live music and snack on tasty bites from food trucks. Beer and wine tents will keep your thirst quenched as you eat!
Date: September 28th
Location: Kiwanis Park
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Oak Park Festival Theatre presents Shakespeare’s timeless fantasy, Romeo and Juliet. Lovesick Romeo Montague and vivacious Juliet Capulet have fallen madly in love. Unfortunately, the age-old feud between their uncompromising families forbids them from being together. William Shakespeare’s famous story of love at first sight is full of action and swordplay, features some of the Bard’s most memorable language, and ponders the inevitability of a tragic end when the convictions of youth are directly at odds with the commands of their elders. Experience this joyful production as it was truly meant to be performed…outdoors under the canopy of beautiful Austin Gardens.
Date: July 5th to August 17th
Location: Austin Gardens
Time: 8pm
This juried fine arts festival is a popular end-of-the-summer event for the community as well as for high-caliber artists from across the country. It’s held in the shadow of the landmark Stone Avenue Metra train station in the charming and historic West End of La Grange surrounded by shady trees, small businesses and ample free parking. This picture-perfect setting is the ideal spot to shop and talk with artists in person, enjoy live jazz, art demonstrations and interactive fun for kids.
Date: September 21 - 22
Location: Stone Ave Metra Station
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Hop Stop is back in another undefeated collaboration between Riverside Foods and the Olmsted Society. With your commemorative tasting glass, you can sample over 50+ offerings from local brewers, cideries, and cocktail crafters, including Riverside’s own Quincy Street Distillery. Use the free bicycle valet, bring a designated driver, or take the Metra, which drops you right outside. There will be local food vendors, art activities for children (under 12 are admitted free with ticket), and live music to round out a wonderful outdoor family-friendly setting in the arboretum Village of Riverside.
Date: September 28th
Location: Riverside Train Station
Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
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The Oak Park Microbrew Review is one of the longest-running beer festivals in the Chicagoland area – 17 years!
Sample beers, ciders, seltzers and n/a options from 50+ breweries, purchase food from a variety of different restaurants, and dance to fantastic music.
OPMBR is the largest zero-waste craft beer fest in the Midwest – highlighting Seven Generations Ahead’s mission to build sustainable communities. We work with the event vendors to produce as little waste as possible, and provide recycling/composting stations for our guests.
Date: August 17th
Location: Downtown Oak Park
Time: 1:00pm to 6:00pm
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Celebrate the changing seasons at Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park. Enjoy a premier music line up, delicious fall foods from local restaurants, specialty craft beers, and a Kids Root Beer Garden.
Date: September 13 - 14
Location: Downtown Oak Park
Time(s): 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Sept. 13th
Time(s): 12:00pm to 10:00pm on Sept. 14th
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Prost to Oktoberfest and the season of donning your lederhosen and enjoying live polka music at Brookfield Zoo’s Oktoberfest, presented by Leinenkugel’s. The festive event, which takes place on the Zoo’s East Mall, is free with general admission. In addition to taking in the sounds of Oktoberfest, a seasonal menu featuring bratwursts, sausages, pretzels with beer cheese, and more is available for purchase.
Date: September 28th
Location: Brookfield Zoo
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm
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Enjoy bears and beers, lions and lagers, anteaters and ales...all at Brookfield Zoo's ZooBrew on Saturday, August 17. ZooBrew is a fun-filled, unique beer-tasting event. Sample from over 80+ different beer and other drink options. Pick from three unique tasting options to choose a beer sampling experience that’s perfect for you!
Date: August 17th
Location: Brookfield Zoo
Time: Tasting times vary
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The Food Truck Rally is held adjacent to Keystone Park in the parking lot near the train depot. Discover nearly a dozen food trucks offer up flavors of all kinds. The years list currently consists of Billy Bricks on Wheels, Spoon Burger, Happy Lobster, Big Star Tacos, Bill's Grill BBQ, My Funnel Truck, Ms. Tittle's Cupcakes, Hello Boba. In addition to the food trucks, there will be a variety of beer and wine tents as you eat. There’s also face painting for the kids and many other kids activities, so bring your appetite and stay for so much more.
Date: August 24th
Location: Keystone Park
Time: 4:00pm to 9:00pm
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Join us for family friendly fun at the Annual Taste of Bellwood! You'll find carnival rides, live music, 30+ food vendors and 20+ local non-food businesses, fireworks and even a car and bike show! The car show is free entry and takes place at 10am on Saturday, August 10th. The first 100 entries will receive a plaque so get there early! As you dine on tasty bites you'll enjoy lovely live music from over 15 different performers. The fireworks close down the festival taking place at 8:30pm on Sunday. Admission is free to the Taste and all food items cost $5 or less. You won't want to miss these delicious deals!
Date: August 9th, 10th, 11th
Location: Bellwood Village Hall
Time(s): 6:00pm to 10:00pm Aug. 9th
Time(s): 12:00pm to 10:00pm Aug. 10th
Time(s): 12:00pm to 9:00pm Aug. 11th
Join us at Fall Fest, the annual family-friendly event in Rehm Park and the Oak Park Conservatory. Enjoy pumpkins, kids crafts, and nature activities at the Conservatory. Rehm Park hosts games & activities, inflatables, yummy food, Rehm Train Rides, and more! Food vendors will be at this event as well! Check back later to see the options.
Date: September 22nd
Location: Oak Park Conservatory & Rhem Park
Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm
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Soak up some sun at an exciting summer event. The wonderful western suburbs have endless opportunities for adventures. Come for a day but stay for a week and get lost in the endless history, galleries, boutiques and restaurants the area has to offer. Follow our social media accounts to stay up to date.