Prost! Hoist a stein at one of the many Oktoberfests happening across the suburbs, Chicago

Even though it's only mid-September, this is the weekend that Oktoberfests really get going across the suburbs and Chicago. If you're feeling bold, dress up in your best lederhosen or dirndl and get ready to raise a stein, dance the polka, listen to oompah music and dig into hearty German fare at festivals and restaurants celebrating this annual German tradition.

Glendale Heights Oktoberfest

5-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, from Thursday, Sept. 15, through Sunday, Sept. 25, at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights, glendaleheightsoktoberfest.com.

The 10th annual fest is a celebration of all things German, including food, beer and strolling oompah music under the massive festival tent, perfect for this rain-or-shine event. Dine on bratwurst, pork shank with sauerkraut, schnitzel sandwich, German potato salad and more while enjoying music from Alpine Thunder, Euro Express, Paloma, Illinois Brass Band and the Elmhurst University Jazz Band. And don't forget to stop by the vendors selling souvenir hats, steins and more. $5 for adults after 5 p.m. and free for kids 16 and younger.

Highland Park Oktoberfest

5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at The Lot, 523 Central, Highland Park, enjoyhighlandpark.com/blog/oktoberfest.

Get ready to dance as the Die Musikmeisters will be playing German polkas, waltzes, marches and more Friday and from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday. Fill up on German food - including pork and chicken schnitzel and sacher-torte cake from Pixca's; German pancakes, bratwurst and apple cider from Puffy Houzz; sausages, hot dogs and Bavarian pretzels from Michael's Grill & Salad Bar; potato salad and potato pancakes from Max's Deli; and sausage and sauerkraut pizza from Da Pizza Dude - and beer from Ravinia Brewing Company, including Spaten Doppelbock, Schlenkerla Smoked Marzen, DAB Dortmunder, Ayinger Hefeweizen and Hofbrau Oktoberfest. And you won't want to miss the beer-stein-holding contests, hammer-schlagen and pretzel necklace making.

Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest

5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 16; noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 17; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Slade and Smith streets, Palatine, palatinerotary.com/Oktoberfest.php.

The Rotary's Oktoberfest kicks off with a traditional keg-rolling ceremony and blessing of the ceremonial keg at 5 p.m. Friday. Throughout the fest, dine on German fare from local restaurants such as pork shank, schnitzel sandwich, brats, sauerbraten pot roast sliders, Bavarian pretzels, cider spiced doughnuts and more while sipping German beer, wine and seltzers. And enjoy music from Die Musikmeisters at 5 p.m. and The Polkaholics at 9 p.m. Friday; Jimmy's Bavarians at 4 p.m. and Phenix at 8 p.m. Saturday; and Die Musikmeisters at noon and Phenix at 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Family Day, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, kicks off with a casual family bike ride and includes performances, face painting, kids' games and more.

Tinley Park Oktoberfest

5-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16; 1-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17; and 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the 80th Avenue Metra Train Station, 18001 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park, tinleychamber.org/oktoberfest-2/.

Come for the ceremonial keg tapping and stay for the authentic German food, beer, carnival, vendor fair and more. Plus, enjoy music from Electro Retro at 7 p.m. Friday, Bratwurst Brothers at 7 p.m. Saturday and The Walk-Ins at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Elk Grove Oktoberfest

6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and 3-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Rotary Green, 164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village, elkgrove.org/community/special-events/oktoberfest.

Expect loads of German food, beer, activities and more. Dance along to music from Paloma from 6-10:30 p.m. Friday and Die Musikmeisters from 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday. From 3-7 p.m. Saturday, kids can get in on the fun with games and activities, including inflatables, balloon artists, glitter-tattoo artist, face painting and the Glowby's Bubbler. Happens rain or shine. A book of 10 food/drink tickets is $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

Lake Villa Oktoberfest

6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturdays, Sept. 17 and 24 and Oct. 1, at the German-American Cultural Center, 259 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa, americanaidsocietyofgd.org/events.

Dine on German beer and food while enjoying music from Paloma on Sept. 17 and Phenix on Sept. 24 and Oct. 1. Plus, there will be performances from traditional German folk dancers on Sept. 17 and Oct. 1 and the Rheinischer Fanfaren Drum & Bugle Corp on Sept. 24. Rain or shine; admission is $9.

Brewgrass Festival - A bluegrass Oktoberfest

1-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Black Lung Brewing Company, 2217 N. Illinois Route 83, Round Lake Beach, blacklungbrewing.com/event/brewgrass-festival-2022/.

The fest features the release of the Amber Lager Oktoberfest Bier, eight bands playing throughout the day, two food trucks, games and more. Admission is $15. Special packages, which include a T-shirt, das boot mug and a beer, run $45-$60.

13th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration

5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Filling Station Pub and Grill, 300 W. Main St., St. Charles, facebook.com/events/601017788145445?ref=newsfeed.

Come ready to compete in a stein-hoisting contest. But if you're not in the mood, there's music from Die Musikmesters from 5-8 p.m., and Oktoberfest beers and 32-ounce Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest steins, plus food specials including pretzels, Wiener schnitzel and jumbo sausages served with potato pancakes.

Libertyville Oktoberfest

5-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, in the back lot at Mickey Finn's, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, mainstreetlibertyville.org/oktoberfest-in-libertyville/ or mickeyfinnsbrewery.com/oktoberfest/.

Dress in your finest lederhosen or dirndl for the best-dressed contest, sip some Bavarian beers, listen to live music and dine on German fare during Libertyville's annual 21-and-older event. General admission of $25 includes a plastic stein and one beer ticket. Additional beer tickets cost $7.

Oktoberfest Chicago

5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, chicagoevents.com/events/oktoberfest-chicago.

Of course there will be a variety of Oktoberfest food and drinks. And get ready to dance to music on two stages, with headliners Rod Tuffcurls at 8 p.m. and The Bratwurst Brothers at 8 p.m. Friday and 16 Candles at 8:15 p.m. and The Polkaholics at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. $10 Friday and Saturday. Watch the big game for free on Sunday. Plus, there are two craft beer tasting nights - from 6-9 p.m. Friday and 4-7 p.m. Saturday - that include 15 tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.

Brookfield Zoo Oktoberfest

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, on the East Mall at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield, czs.org/.

Enjoy live polka music while sipping Oktoberfest beer and dining from a special menu featuring pretzels with cheese, bratwurst, sausages and more. General admission is $24.95 adults, $19.95 seniors 65 and over, $17.95 kids 3-11.

Pollyanna Oktoberfest at The Forge

2-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at The Forge, 1001 Main St., Lemont, forgeparks.com/events-races/special-events/pollyanna-oktoberfest/.

Pull out your lederhosen and dirndls for Pollyanna Oktoberfest, featuring beers and cocktails from Pollyanna Brewing Company and food from Weber Grill Restaurant Lombard and Forgefire Adventure Dining. Expect music from JD Kostyk from noon to 3 p.m., Bruce Karosa from 3:30-6 p.m., Good Time Heroes from 6:30-8 p.m. and ARRA from 8:30-11 p.m. It's $10 in advance and $15 the day of. Rain date is Saturday, Oct. 1.

St. Alphonsus Liguori Oktoberfest

6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, 411 N. Wheeling Road, Prospect Heights, saintalphonsusph.org/oktoberfest.

Fill up on a choice of traditional bratwurst, polish sausage or chicken dinner, which is included in the $30 ticket. Besides a beer tent offering a variety of drinks, there will be dancing and plenty of Gemütlichkeit. Must be 21 or older.

Prost! In the Park

1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, on the Rooftop of the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago, chicagogourmet.org/page/prost.

Chef Sarah Grueneberg of Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio will be hosting this Oktoberfest-style event as part of Chicago Gourmet. A variety of chefs will be sharing their takes on classic German fare. Of course there will be oompah bands, beer and cocktails, too. Lederhosen are encouraged, but not required, for this 21-and-older event. Tickets are $95 at eventbrite.com/.

Buffalo Creek Brewing Oktoberfest

Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, buffalocreekbrewing.com/.

Stein-holding, barrel-rolling, Hammerschlagen (nail-driving), horseshoes, beer pong, flip cup and bags are just some of the contests planned for this year's family-friendly event. Stop by the sprawling biergarten and tents for traditional Oktoberfest beer and food. And don't miss the Bavarian oompah music from a variety of bands playing during the fest. Free admission; partial proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of Lake Zurich.

Bartlett Oktoberfest

5-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Leiseburg Park, 325 E. Devon Ave., Bartlett, bartlettareachamber.com.

Hosted by Bartlett's Chamber, Lions and Rotary clubs, Oktoberfest features German food, beer, wine, vendors and more. Plus, expect music from Bossy Dog at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Polkaholics at noon and DeJaVu at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Naper Settlement's Oktoberfest

5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, napersettlement.org/.

Dress up in your finest German gear for the annual family-friendly fest featuring German music, beer and food (pretzels, brats, chicken schnitzel sandwich, spatzle mac-n-cheese and more) under a heated tent. On Saturday, test your strength in the stein-holding contest, or try out a variety of lawn games. Dance to music from the New Generation Polka Band from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Polkaholics from 8-10 p.m. Friday and Ed Wagner's Lustige Blaskapelle from 3-5 p.m., Freeze Dried from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Wedding Banned from 8-10 p.m. Saturday. $20; $15 for kids 4-12; free for members and kids younger than 4.

October Fest

4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Central Athletic Complex, 500 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/octoberfest/.

Come for the beer garden, food and children's area and stay for the live entertainment from Karla and the Phat Cats from 5-6:30 and Wurst Kase Scenario from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation.

Fall Festival/Oktoberfest

4-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and 1-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, Mount Prospect, facebook.com/oktoberfestmp or mpdowntown.com/events/.

Food and music are on the docket for Friday, while Saturday includes a fall fest for kids from 1-4 p.m. that includes pumpkin decorating, a trick-or-treat candy line, hay rides, food and music downtown. From 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Oktoberfest resumes with authentic German food, drinks and music.

Know of an Oktoberfest we missed? If so, email clinden@dailyherald.com.