Celebrate German Culture at Chicago Maifest

Welcome spring at the traditional German celebration of the season, Maifest Chicago. The 26th annual festival runs from May 29 to June 1, 2025, in the heart of Chicago’s German community in Lincoln Square.

Photo courtesy of Maifest

Chow down on lots of German food and witness a traditional keg tapping, maypole dancing and the crowning of the Maifest queen. Live music and German cultural presentations round out the fun.

According to Maifest organizers, the Maifest tradition is still celebrated widely in Germany and Chicago’s large German population has allowed the city to bring its own version of the festival to life.

Photo courtesy of Maifest Chicago.

The four-day event is free and is scheduled from 5 pm to 10 pm on May 29 and 3oth and noon-10 pm on May 31st and June 1st. The festival will take place across from the Old Town School of Music, at 4521 N. Lincoln.