Fall Food and Heritage Festivals in Chicago
This fall, festivals in
Chicago
will celebrate two of the city’s greatest attributes: fantastic food and rich heritage. Across the city the streets will be filled with people, tasty dishes of all kinds and lively music, showing off the cultural and culinary vibrancy that makes
Chicago
so unique. From bratwurst and beer to wine and cheesecake, the city will revel in the panoply of tastes and influences that result in its depth and diversity. These fall festivals truly offer something for everyone, so enjoy one, two or all of them, and discover how variety really is the spice of life in
Chicago
.
The African-American Festival of the Arts
Now in its seventeenth year, this is one of the largest neighborhood festivals in the city. It celebrates the African influence on American culture with live music- including blues, jazz and soul- food, art displays and a marketplace of goods. Located in
Washington
Park
at
5100 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
, this festival lasts from September 1st through the 4th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is a cover charge of $5 to $10, or you can buy a weekend pass for $30. Full of great music, gifts and food, the African-American Festival of the Arts is a perennial festival favorite.
Taste of Polonia
With one of the country’s largest Polish-American populations,
Chicago
puts on a truly authentic celebration of the culture and traditions of . From September 1st to the 4th, the
Copernicus
Cultural
Center
at
5216 W. Lawrence Avenue
will be packed with polka dancing, arts and crafts, beer, food and all things Polish. The festival lasts from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, then from noon until 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from noon to 10 p.m. on Monday. The cover charge is $3 to $7. For a unique holiday, celebrate Labor Day with polka and pirogues!
German-American Festival
Have Oktoberfest in September! This festival featuring the food and culture of is in its 86th year, lasting from September 8th to the 10th. Folk dancers and singers, traditional foods, and of course, beer will fill
Lincoln Square
all weekend long. This is a perfect opportunity to sample some hand-crafted German microbrews, and there is no cover charge. The festival hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the 8th, noon to 11 p.m. on the 9th, and noon to 10 p.m. on the 10th. Grab your lederhosen and get ready to party like Ferris Buehler singing “Danke Shon” on a float!
Windy City Wine Festival
Whether you’re a connoisseur or a novice, the Windy City Wine Festival is a great way to learn about and sample some of the finest wines in the world. From September 8th to the 10th,
Daley
Bicentennial
Plaza
on
Randolph Street
will host tastings, seminars, cooking demonstrations and live music. Learn which wine perfectly complements your favorite meal, and enjoy a variety of dishes from some famous
Chicago
restaurants, including Heaven on Seven and The Grotto. A $25 ticket will get you into the events, and you’ll receive a souvenir wine glass too. On Friday the festival lasts from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday it begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 10 and 8 p.m. respectively.
The Wine Crush in
Old
Town
Not to be outdone by the downtown neighborhood,
Old
Town
is holding its own wine festival on September 9th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wells Street, between North Avenue and Schiller Street, will be converted into a European market, complete with arts and crafts, food from nearby restaurants and samples of about fifty different wines. Like the Windy City Festival, you can watch cooking demonstrations and live music performances, but
Old
Town
takes the wine celebration one literal step further by having a grape stomping competition. The fees are $6 for the cover charge and $15 for the wine tasting. If you enjoy wine and are looking for a low-key, intimate neighborhood celebration, skip the Windy City Festival farther south and spend your afternoon in charming
Old
Town
.
Chicago
Turkish Festival
This festival, which is now in its fourth year, is a truly unique celebration. Turkish arts, from fashion to paintings to whirling dervishes, are on display at
Daley
Plaza
,
50 W. Washington Street
, September 13th through the 16th. Delicious foods like kebobs, pastries and even Turkish meatballs are available, all with no admission fee. Experience authentic Anatolian culture in the heart of the
Midwest
with this exciting festival.
Eli’s Cheesecake Festival
Eli’s Cheesecake is a
Chicago
classic, and this festival celebrates the decadence and deliciousness of this dessert. Live music, a kids’ tent and classic car show make for fun and unique entertainment, but the free cheesecake samples are the highlight of this event. Located at
6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive
, the festival takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on September 15th, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 16th, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 17th. Anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate this one-of-a-kind festival, and it’s great for families.
Celtic Fest
Chicago
Famous for its Irish population, it’s only fitting that
Chicago
dedicate a festival to the Emerald Isle. Now in its 10th year, this festival, taking place September 16th and 17th in Grant Park, features unique cuisine and entertainment, and admission is free. Celtic music, dance, arts and crafts, and food and beer will permeate the park from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Located next to beautiful Lake Michigan, this event is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the picturesque lakefront and comfortable fall weather. Celtic Fest captures the dynamic culture of in downtown
Chicago
.
Festival Italiano
The traditions and heritage of the Bel Paese come alive at
Daley
Plaza
October 2nd through the 6th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Not only can you enjoy great food, but arts and crafts, cooking classes, and even a fashion show will celebrate the beauty and artistry of Italian culture. With free admission, this festival is a wonderful way to enjoy the customs of a large part of the
Chicago
population, including some of the world’s best cuisine and style. Experience the dolce vita for yourself at this distinctive fall festival, just before Columbus Day!
