Prost! Many Oktoberfest events are happening around Champaign-Urbana this fall
Great food, great music and yes, beer, can be found at area family-friendly Oktoberfest events
Oktoberfest events in the Champaign-Urbana area have certainly increased in number in recent years. And there’s good reason, too! Our community knows how to put on a German celebration, so even if you find yourself without lederhosen, you will certainly be welcomed at these family-friendly happenings this fall.
While generally called “Oktoberfest,” events often happen in September and wrap up by early October. Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Germany since the early 1800s or so. Here in the U.S., Oktoberfest events are unique in their own ways, but some commonalities exist — festive music, bratwurst, pretzels and yes, beer.
In Champaign-Urbana, we have a number of events that are family-friendly in nature. Your kids will certainly enjoy the upbeat atmosphere that comes along with Oktoberfest events. Be warned that Oktoberfest is closely tied to drinking large amounts of German beer for many (but not all) festival-goers.
And now for our list of Oktoberfest events in or near Champaign-Urbana:
Saturday, September 30, 2023
C-U Oktoberfest
Downtown Champaign, Time: 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The C-U Oktoberfest is a fall celebration of music, beer, and food in Downtown Champaign, IL.
St. Matthew Oktoberfest
St. Matthew Catholic Church, Time: 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Mark your calendar now and plan to come out for this family friendly event, including inflatables! No cost to attend or for meals. 4:30 p.m. Mass Free meal, inflatables, Riggs beer for purchase, Polka band and more!
More Oktoberfest fun
Horsch Radish
This Gibson City restaurant will be hosting Oktoberfest events on Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 22 to Oct. 7. It will have beer and food as well as music. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (217) 727-1074 or emailing reservations@horschradish.com. Horsch Radish is about 30 minutes northwest of Champaign-Urbana in Gibson City, where Harvest Moon Drive-In is located.
FieldHouse 219
This Monticello establishment is holding an Oktoberfest event on Sunday, Sept. 24. There will be pretzels, beer, Oktoberfest attire and a stein-hoisting contest.
Do you know of more family-friendly Oktoberfest events near Champaign-Urbana? Submit them here for our event calendar.