About

Maifest has been an annual festival brought to you by the Maifest Committee, President Joe Matuschka and Vice President Joe Bradtke. Special thanks go to 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin.

Admission to Maifest Chicago is FREE and open to all ages. Taking place in Lincoln Square, Chicago’s original German neighborhood. Outstanding German and American food and beer are available for purchase. German and American bands provide entertainment throughout the fest.

Mayfest Chicago is a 501(c)(3) organization founded to promote Chicago's German heritage. The four-day fest benefits German-American organizations including The Rheinischer Verein, St. Hubertus Jagd Club, the American Aid Society, the Donauschwaben Youth Group, Edelweiss Trachten Verein, D’Lustigen Holzhacker Buam, Egerlander Dance Group, Dank Haus and others.

Maifest is the traditional German celebration of the arrival of spring. Maifest is still celebrated throughout Germany with the maypole (maibaum) decorated to show off the history and crafts of the local village or town.

Maifest, like Octoberfest, has now become a popular celebration throughout the world. Chicago's German community welcomes all to their Maifest in Lincoln Square; the heart of Chicago's German Community.