Tinley Park Oktoberfest

Yellow text and image of a beer stein on red background.

The Tinley Park, IL Oktoberfest is one of the only festivals in the Chicagoland area that so closely resembles the traditional Oktoberfest found in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. In the 1840s, German immigrants became the predominant settlers of Tinley Park and the festival celebrates this German heritage while also bringing the entire community together for beer, bratwurst, and music. Oktoberfest began as a wedding celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate the royal event on the fields in front of the city gates. For the first few years, amusements were sparse. It wasn’t until 1818 that beer stalls were included, and in 1896, these stalls became the large beer tents seen at Oktoberfest festivals today. At these celebrations, you can find many people drinking out of traditional steins, mugs made for drinking beer. Steins have hinged lids and are known for their ornate, themed decorations.