13 Food Events to Keep You Busy in Chicago this October

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Although peak food festival season is behind us and another Chicago winter is before us, there’s still one more month of food festival fun in and around Chicago. The apparent theme for October? Food trucks and wine tastings! Be sure to double-check the event pages for times, locations, and admission information.

What are we missing? Send your food event suggestions to us at [email protected].

1. Linda Bastianich Cookbook Signing

Sunday, Oct. 1 | Eataly Chicago, 43 E. Ohio St.
Lidia Bastianich, the host of Lidia’s Kitchen, which has a new season on WTTW Saturdays at 1:00 pm beginning October 7, will be at Eataly Chicago to sign copies of her new cookbook, Lidia's From Our Family Table to Yours.

2. Oktoberfest Naperville

Friday, October 6 and Saturday, Oct. 7 | Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
This Oktoberfest in Naperville will feature German beer and cuisine, a stein-holding contest, lawn games, and other family-friendly activities. It takes place in a heated tent, if chilly weather would otherwise scare you off.

3. Lincoln Park Wine Fest

Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8 | Jonquil Park
This wine festival returns to Jonquil Park in Lincoln Park for its seventh year, and includes food and wine pairings and ticketed tasting events.

4. Villa Park Brewfest

Saturday, Oct. 7 | Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park, 318 E. Kenilworth, Villa Park
Enjoy beers from more than a dozen brewers for this 21-and-older-only event in Villa Park.

5. Woodstock Ale Fest

Saturday, Oct. 7 | Corner of Clay and Newell Streets, Woodstock
This beer festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary with craft breweries all within 100 miles of Woodstock.

6. Chicago Food Truck Festival

Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8 | La Bagh Woods, Grove #2
This food truck festival boasts a “foodie heaven” at La Bagh Woods.

7. Lemont Food Truck Festival

Saturday, Oct. 7 | 1001 Main St., Lemont
Lemont is hosting this food truck festival with ten trucks from the Chicago area.

8. Stews & Brews

Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14 | The Lot, 523 Central Ave., Highland Park
This event in Highland Park marries warm comfort foods with comfort drinks.

9. Deer Park Food Truck Series

Saturday, Oct. 14 | 20530 N. Rand Rd., Deer Park
There’s another food truck festival in Deer Park, which is family friendly and offers free general admission.

10. Chicago Pizza Summit

Sunday, Oct. 15 |  Royal Palms Shuffleboard, 1750 N. Milwaukee Ave.
After a hiatus, the Chicago Pizza Summit is returning with pizza tastings, drinks, and other pizza-themed activities.

11. WineRival Chicago

Sunday, Oct. 15 | Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St.
The self-described “Super Bowl of Wine” features dozens of wineries from around the world and includes tastings, sommelier pairings, and tasting competitions.

12. Andersonville Wine Walk

Sunday, Oct. 15 | Various locations in Andersonville
Businesses throughout Andersonville become wine tasting destinations. You can choose from two routes.

13. Cider and Ale Fest

Saturday, Oct. 21 | The Morton Arboretum
More than 30 local breweries will be at The Morton Arboretum, where you can sip cider and seasonal beers as you walk among the trees.