Live German Music 5-Midnight on Friday, Noon to Midnight on Saturday, and Noon to 6 on Sunday
Friday September 20
5:00PM - 8:30PM Die Musikmeisters
9:00PM - Midnight Zicke Zacke Party Band
Saturday September 21
12:00PM - 3:30PM Alpine Thunder
4:00PM - 6:30PM Dirndolls
7:00PM - Midnight Phenix
Sunday September 22
12:00PM - 6:00PM Die Musikmeisters
Band Breaks Rhinemaidens (alphorn demonstration)
Die Musikmeisters German Band plays a rousing blend of traditional German music for Oktoberfest or German themed events. Their extensive musical repertoire includes a variety of traditional German vocal and instrumental favorites, as well as Polish and American favorites. The band dresses in authentic German lederhosen. Website.
Zicke Zacke Party Band Authentic German Party Band Website.
Alpine Thunder A lively, fun, interactive German band performing German folk/pop music with authentic instrumentation and sound, German/English vocals, yodeling, and other alpine folk instruments such as tuned cow bells and alphorns. Website.
Dirndolls The Dirndolls are an Alpine folk band made up of people of marginalized genders. Website.
Phenix Popular 5-member German Band with a modern flair! Playing German classics and your favorite oldies with fun audience participation. Website.
The Rhinemaidens Chicago's Alphorn Duo Website.
Beer, wine, and seltzer are available for 7 tickets each. Beer is also available in a large collectable mug for 15 tickets with 13 ticket refills
Paulaner Pilsner: Our Imported German Pilsner beer (4.8% ABV). If you like traditional American lager style beer, you'll love this!
The Paulaner Pils is brewed strictly in the Pilsener style - with the best Hallertau hops providing its typical bitter aroma. Paulaner beer lovers like to tell each other the anecdote while toasting, according to which the pilsner originally came from Bohemia, but was created by a brewer from Southern Germany. And the Paulaner Pils does justice to that. The brilliant, bright yellow beer is crowned by a pure white, thick foamy head. The hoppy, crisp, clean taste delivers on the consumer’s expectation; this is a beer that expresses the master brewer’s years of experience in a traditional recipe.
Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen: Marzen style beer, a medium amber lager (5.8% ABV). The style of beer invented for Oktoberfest!
An amber beer style that was developed over 200 years ago to celebrate the original Oktoberfest. The Märzen name comes from “March beer” because it was historically brewed in March to be at peak flavor for the Oktoberfest celebration. Today this style is available year-round in the US due to popular demand. The secrets behind Paulaner's excellent taste and unwavering quality are locally sourced ingredients and a tradition of craftsmanship that has been passed down and perfected by our dedicated brewmasters since 1634. Here in Munich, Paulaner beer is not a mere product -- It's a matter of the heart.
Hacker Pschorr Weiss: Imported Wheat Beer (5.5% ABV). With a beautiful golden color, one finger of white head, and a crisp refreshing taste!
Hacker Pshorr's unfiltered Hacker-Pschorr Weissbier is naturally cloudy, full-flavoured and uniquely refreshing. Georg Pschorr – in his day owner of the Pschorr brewery and a man of true foresight - spread word of this exquisite and enjoyable Hefe-Weissbier and made it popular beyond the borders of Bavaria. A delight with hearty Bavarian delicacies such as bratwurst, weisswurst, leberkaese, or schnitzel.
Paulaner Grapefruit Radler: Light and Fruity (2.5% ABV). A mix of smooth and soft Munich Lager and naturally cloudy grapefruit lemonade, with a hint of orange.
Naturally cloudy grapefruit flavoring meets our tasty Münchner Lager. Whether in the beer garden, hiking or on the go in the city - this tangy, thirst quencher is the perfect accompaniment: fruity-tart, 100% natural and not too sweet. Made with less sugar than common radlers.
Some beer description and history adapted from Wikipedia.
Pino Grigio: A light-bodied classic WHITE wine with a crisp, bright finish. Pinot Grigio offers all the flavors of tart green apples with fresh, white peaches.
Merlot: Merlot is a luscious RED wine with alluring flavors of boysenberry and split cherries followed by hints of silky chocolate for a decadent finish.
Tickets are available at the ticket booth, for $1 per ticket. We accept cash and credit cards. Note that there is a fast-pass line for full sheets of 20 tickets, cash only. For fastest service, bring $20s! Please note that since proceeds go to charity, all tickets are non-refundable.
Opening Ceremonies: Oktoberfest starts at 5:00 on Friday evening! We'll take a few moments for a blessing of the event and tapping of a ceremonial keg in front of the main stage, along with remarks from local dignitaries.
Saturday is Family Day! While parents are welcome to bring their children to every part of Oktoberfest, we have set aside a special time for families to enjoy the festive spirit of this classic German cultural fest. Family Day is held on Saturday beginning at noon and lasting until about 3:30 p.m. In addition to all the enjoyable foods and beverages available throughout the fest, special programming and activities for children are provided during this time.
Musical performances featuring students from local school groups and Palatine-based youth organizations highlight the afternoon's events. Adjacent to Oktoberfest in Palatine's Towne Square Park there will be face painting and a variety of children's games .
Family Day kicks off with an Oktoberfest Casual Family-Paced Bike Ride. Meet at 10:30AM at Towne Square (at the corner of Smith & Slade Streets) for registration, and start the ride at about 11. Both 8 mile and 15 mile rides are available. Registration is free! Bike racks will be provided. Children under 14 will need an adult chaperone. Helmets are required. Remember to bring a lock to secure your ride while you enjoy a sandwich and a beverage after the ride. You can register now at https://bikepalatine.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=280102&item_id=2029369 If you change your mind, registration can be cancelled until Friday, September 20 at 5PM. Visit www.bikepalatine.com for more information.
Family Day Schedule:
The Rotary Club of Palatine engages photographers and videographers to document the event. By taking part in this event, you grant the Rotary Club of Palatine full rights to use any images resulting from the photography and/or videography for fundraising, publicity, or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aims. This may include (but is not limited to) the right to use them in printed and digital publicity, social media, press releases, and funding applications. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform the photographer or videographer.
Check out our Raffle tent near the back of the Main tent. Themed baskets including Red Wine, Rum/Cordial, Scotch, Tequila, Vodka, Whiskey, White and Red Wine, and more! Plus Wheelbarrows of Beer, TVs, and a Weber Grill. You don't need to be present to win, but should be able to pick up your winnings Sunday afternoon. Tickets are available in the Raffle tent, and the drawings will start at 4:00 on Sunday.
pounds of compost diverted from landfill at Oktoberfest 2023
Children getting clean water through our current clean water project
Exchange Students so far!
302 Days until Oktoberfest 2024
It's just a parking lot now, but on the third weekend in September it will be Oktoberfest Central! With a large heated tent, beer tent, food tents, and large open air gathering area with tables and chairs, it's a great way to relax in German Beer Garden style! Need an address for your GPS? Try 170 W Slade St, Palatine, IL.
Close to Metra, and lots of free parking at the 5-story municipal parking deck and several other nearby lots. Lots are free after 5PM Friday and on Saturday and Sunday, though overnight parking is not allowed.