Oktoberfest Celebrations Across the U.S.

By Gayot Editors

Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in America

Get your lederhosen ready for beers, brats and the chicken dance.

Each fall, cities across America fill with revelers donning lederhosen and downing steins of foamy beer in celebration of Oktoberfest. The annual German tradition pops up in towns from the West Coast to the East Coast, promising hearty food, great beer and lots of polka to all who come.

SUGGESTED READING

Oktoberfest beers
The Best Fall Beers
• Latest Articles on GAYOT.com

1. New York, NY | OktoberFest NYC at Watermark Bar – September 8-October 29, 2023

OktoberFest NYC at Watermark BarOktoberFest NYC at Watermark Bar, Pier 15, 78th S. St., New York, NY 10038

Nearly two months of beers and lederhosens.

Enjoy amazing views of the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges and Brooklyn skyline while enjoying live music and authentic fare and beers at Watermark Bar. They’ll be exclusively serving authentic German beers. This family friendly affair will also have games and stein holding contests. Tickets are free though reservations are recommended.

> For more information, visit the OktoberFest NYC at Watermark Bar official website.

2. Big Bear Lake, CA | Big Bear Lake OktoberfestSeptember 9–November 4, 2023 (Weekends)

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

It’s a two-month long fest, Munich-style!

Big Bear always goes all out for their Oktoberfest celebrations, which take place on weekends for two months. Enjoy multiple musical performances throughout the day and several different food options including bratwurst, sauerkraut and beer cheese soup. Activities have included log sawing and stein holding contests.

Throughout the four-day fest there will be keg tapping, plenty of live music, family-friendly activities, bingo, stein holding competitions, beer barrel rolling and a dachshund dash.

> For more information, visit the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest official website.

3. Cape Coral, FL | OktoberfestOctober 20-22 & 27-29, 2023

Oktoberfest in Cape Coral, FLOktoberfest, 2101 SW Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral, FL 33991

Celebrate like they do in Munich at the largest party in Cape Coral.

The festivities will include three stages with two dance floors with live performances all day featuring bands playing German music. There will also be a carnival area with rides and games for the kids and handmade crafts and souvenirs. Savor specialty foods like schnitzel, potato pancakes, sausages and more.

> For more information, visit the Cape Coral Oktoberfest official website.

ALREADY PASSED

4. Addison, TX | Addison OktoberfestSeptember 14-17, 2023

Addison Oktoberfest

Addison Oktoberfest, 4970 Addison Circle Dr., Addison, TX 75001

Get a little taste of Munich in the Lone Star State.

Throughout the four day fest there will be keg tapping, plenty of live music, family-friendly activities, bingo, stein holding competitions, beer barrel rolling and a dachshund dash.

> For more information, visit the Addison Oktoberfest official website.

5. La Crosse, WI | OktoberfestSeptember 28-30, 2023

Oktoberfest in La CrosseOktoberfest, 1 Oktoberfest Strasse, La Crosse, WI 54601

A taste of Germany in the Midwest.

A tradition since 1961, Oktoberfest in La Crosse, Wisconsin, includes parades, keg tapping, stein holding contests, polka bands and carnival rides among other activities spanning three days.

> For more information, visit the La Crosse Oktoberfest official website.

6. Fredericksburg, TX | Oktoberfest – October 6-8, 2023

Oktoberfest in FredericksburgOktoberfest, 100 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Celebrate the town’s German roots with music and dance.

Fredericksburg, founded in 1846, known as “Fritztown” among older German residents, is home to “Texas German,” a dialect spoken by the first generation of German settlers. With such a rich history of German influence, it’s no wonder the weekend-long family-friendly celebration includes Oktubafest, the chicken dance and three days of live entertainment from yodeling to polka to accordion music. German dishes like sausages, sauerkraut and pretzels will be available and the beer selection will include both domestic and German beers.

> For more information, visit the Fredericksburg Oktoberfest official website.

7. Boston, MA | Harpoon OktoberfestSeptember 29-30, October 7-8, 2023

Harpoon OktoberfestHarpoon Oktoberfest, 306 Northern Ave., Boston MA, 02210

They’ve got chicken dancing, pretzels and beer!

Harpoon Brewery in Boston throws its own Oktoberfest celebration with plenty of chicken dancing, fresh pretzels and beer. They also brew their own October Fest beer, a Marzen-style beer brewed with Munich, chocolate and pale malts. The event takes place outside and underneath tents alongside the brewery.

> For more information, visit the Harpoon Oktoberfest official website.

8. San Diego, CA | Ocean Beach OktoberfestOctober 6-7, 2023

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest, Newport Ave., San Diego, CA 92107

Enjoy Oktoberfest biers beachside at this two-day event.

Enjoy some brews in the beachside beer gardens at Ocean Beach Oktoberfest in San Diego, California. There will also be two live music stages featuring local bands, plus guests can participate in stein-holding and brat eating contests and a balloon blow.

> For more information, visit the Ocean Beach Oktoberfest official website.

9. Tampa, FL | Oktoberfest – October 13-15, 2023

Oktoberfest TampaOktoberfest, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602

Celebrate at the largest Oktoberfest in Tampa at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

Dig into all the brats your heart desires and follow it up with Bavarian games. Any mustachioed or bearded attendees can take a chance at the Beard & Mustache Competition. Other diversions include stein hosting, keg stacking, tug-of-war and cornhole. In keeping with the German tradition there will be plenty of food (sausages, sauerkraut, pretzels, etc.), music and dancing.

> For more information, visit the Tampa Oktoberfest official website.

10. Denver, CO | OktoberfestSeptember 22-24 & September 29-October 1, 2023

Oktoberfest in DenverOktoberfest, 2100 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202

Celebrate at one of the largest beer festivals in the United States.

The Denver festival runs for two-weekends and attracts thousands of guests, which is not surprising considering its full schedule of events including stein hoisting, keg bowling, dachshund racing, costume contests and live music.

> For more information, visit the Denver Oktoberfest official website.

11. Cincinnati, OH | Oktoberfest ZinzinnatiSeptember 14-17, 2023

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, 441 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

In 1994 this festival set the record for the largest chicken dance in the world.

First held in 1976, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati attracts thousands of people each year for German-style music, food and beer. Enjoy such delicacies as sauerkraut balls, Limburger cheese and sausages, washed down with plenty of local and German brews. Don’t forget to join in on the chicken dance, which achieved a Guinness World Record in 1994.

> For more information, visit the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati official website.

12. Seattle, WA | Fremont OktoberfestSeptember 22-24, 2023

Fremont OktoberfestFremont Oktoberfest, Phinney Ave. N., Seattle WA, 98103

One of Seattle’s largest fall beer festivals.

Sample more than 100 craft beers and ciders during this three-day event featuring some of the best craft beer from the Pacific Northwest. Activities include stein hoisting contests, a DJ Tower and sports shown on big screens. Guests can enjoy beer from 5 oz. mini mugs, beer steins or large boots. The event is 21+ every day.

> For more information, visit the Fremont Oktoberfest official website.

13. Mount Angel, OR | OktoberfestSeptember 14-17, 2023

Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel, OROktoberfest, 5 N. Garfield St., Mount Angel, OR 97362

The Northwest’s oldest and celebrated folk festival.

Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel, Oregon offers a number of activities including a car show, dachshund race, golf tournament and kid-friendly activities. A variety of beers and wines will be available. Sip traditional beer straight from Munich or local Pacific Northwest beers.

> For more information, visit the Mount Angel Oktoberfest official website.

14. Fort Worth, TX | Oktoberfest – September 21-23, 2023

Oktoberfest Fort WorthOktoberfest Fort Worth, 2401 University Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76107

Spaten, along with other Fall and Oktoberfest craft beers from around the country, will be served.

Activities include tapping of kegs, stein hoisting contests, dachsund dash and Oktoberfest Olympics and there will be live performances. The Midway Rides will feature carnival games, amusement rides, entertainment and fast-food booths, plus plenty of Spaten, sausages and schnitzel to go around.

> For more information, visit the Forth Worth Oktoberfest official website.

15. Chicago, IL | Oktoberfest St. AlphonsusSeptember 22-24, 2023

Oktoberfest St. Alphonsus
Oktoberfest St. Alphonsus, 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Founded by German immigrants, the church celebrates its German roots with an authentic fest.

Festivities includes a dozen bands and, of course, beer and brats. The event benefits Chicago’s St. Alphonsus church, which was founded by German immigrants.

> For more information, visit the Oktoberfest St. Alphonsus official website.