Oktoberfest celebrations scheduled for Toronto and Chicago

Oktoberfest celebrations are scheduled for Toronto and Chicago, featuring traditional food, music, and community support.

In Toronto, the Distillery District will host a three-weekend Oktoberfest celebration starting September 19, 2026. The event includes ‘The First Pour’ on the opening weekend, offering Bavarian-style food such as sausages and pretzels paired with Mill Street Festbier Lager. Subsequent weekends will feature live music from groups like the Black Forest Band and the Happy Wanderers. This specific Toronto experience is restricted to those aged 19 and older.

In Chicago, Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery will host the 11th annual Oktoberfestiversary on October 10 and 11, 2026. This all-ages event features over 50 beers, 13 local bands, and various food vendors. The festival serves as a fundraiser for The Friendship Center, a neighborhood food pantry. Since 2018, donations from these events have provided the equivalent of nearly 4 million meals to the community.