While Oktoberfest in Munich is the world’s largest beer celebration, held over the course of three weeks every year, there are many similar events held across the globe. Oktoberfest in the U.S. roughly follows the same calendar, with plenty of beer drinking, bands playing oompah, German foods like bratwurst being served, and entertainers and servers donning dirndls. If you’d like to experience one of these American Oktoberfests, consider these options that can be found anywhere from the Pacific Northwest to the Rockies, New England, and beyond.
Zinzinnati Oktoberfest - Cincinnati, Ohio
One of the largest Oktoberfests in the U.S., Zinzinnati Oktoberfest attracts around a half-million visitors every year. It’s been taking place for nearly a half-century and kicks off with the famous Running of the Wieners, which includes 100 dachshund dogs dressed like hot dogs competing for bragging rights. There will be lots of specialty beer tappings, including limited releases from Samuel Adams, along with local craft beers. Over 3,600 pounds of sauerkraut, some 80,000 brats, and 23,00 pretzels will be served as well. Other highlights include traditional German oompah performances and live music.
Official Website
Dates: September 14th-17th, 2023
Chatham Oktoberfest - Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
If you’re looking for a small-town kind of celebration that does it up right while enjoying the beauty of Cape Cod, its lighthouses, dunes, and sandy beaches, consider the Chatham Oktoberfest. It includes a unique twist with “Pumpkin People in the Park,” which are creative displays of life-size “people” who have pumpkins for heads made by residents, businesses, and other organizations. Of course, there will be plenty of beer and brats, along with live music and other performances.
Official Website
Dates: October 21st, 2023
Projekt Bayern Oktoberfest - Wenatchee, Washington
The famous Leavenworth Oktoberfest has been held in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth just east of the Cascades for nearly a quarter century, but it’s been moved to Wenatchee for 2023, with shuttles available to bring attendees to and from the towns to enjoy two venues of continuous live entertainment with plenty of oom-pah and polka music and Bavarian dancing groups. There will be a quintessential stein-holding contest, lots of German beers, a clown and bounce house for the kids, and more. Following the long-held tradition, it will still take place over the first three weekends of October, with a procession kicking it off every Saturday at noon.
Official Website
Dates: September 29th – 30th, October 6th-7th & 13th-14th, 2023
Oktoberfest - Leavenworth, Washington
With so many drawn to the area for this popular event, the city of Leavenworth will now be holding its own Oktoberfest so you can enjoy a two-in-one, including the opportunity to immerse yourself within the famous Bavarian architecture that attendees have come to associate with the original festival. It will take place throughout the town, complete with the longstanding traditions of music, dancing, and the ceremonial tapping of the kegs. There will be three beer gardens featuring local beers and a 10,000-square-foot Kinderplatz for kids with a 62-foot Ferris wheel, bouncy obstacle course, root beer garden, face painting, games, and more.
Official Website
Dates: September 29th-30th, October 6th-7th & 13th-14th, 2023
Helen Oktoberfest - Helen, Georgia
The longest-running Oktoberfest in the country is hosted in the mountain town of Helen in northeast Georgia, a town known for its Bavarian-style architecture. Helen’s Oktoberfest begins with a parade in mid-September and continues throughout the month from Thursdays through Sundays and daily in October. This means weeks and weeks of German food and beer to enjoy with revelers dressed in traditional attire, right down to the lederhosen and dirndls. Dance to the polka and enjoy a rotating group of musical acts set to perform everything from German tunes to modern favorites.
Official Website
Dates: Select dates September 7th – October 29th, 2023
Four Peaks Oktoberfest - Tempe, Arizona
In the Phoenix Metro Area, Arizona’s coolest brewery hosts the Four Peaks Oktoberfest for three days in early October. It’s a classic Bavarian-style celebration with a Southwestern twist that’s been held here since 1973 as part of an annual fundraiser to help promote multiculturalism, including supporting the local high school students who visit international cities. It includes a carnival with rides and games, two stages of live music, polka dancing, wiener dog races, a global stein-holding championship, and the Oktoberfest Runnin’ for the Brats (a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 1-mile run/walk). Of course, there will be the usual brews flowing, along with plenty of German fare.
Official Website
Dates: October 13th, 14th & 15th, 2023
Samuel Adams Octoberfest - Boston, Massachusetts
Boston offers more than history and baseball. It’s home to the Samuel Adams Brewery, which hosts the annual Samuel Adams Octoberfest in late September every year. It’s considered one of the best of its kind in New England, offering fun activities at the brewery in Jamaica Plain and Samuel Adams Downtown Taproom in Faneuil Hall. This year’s events will focus on music, food, and most importantly, stein hoisting, while you’ll also have the opportunity to taste a variety of beers. And afterward, you can always take a walk on the Freedom Trail.
Official Website
Dates: September 22nd – 24th, 2023
Addison Oktoberfest - Addison, Texas
Considered the “OG” of Texas Oktoberfests, the Addison Oktoberfest has been taking place for 35 years. Recognized as one of the most authentic festivals outside of Munich itself, this four-day festival in mid-September features German culture, music, food, and beer with a Texan twist on the original. Look forward to traditional entertainers on multiple stages, including polka bands, along with interactive games and attractions for all ages, the Dachshund Dash, and much more.
Official Website
Dates: September 14th – 17th, 2023
Denver Oktoberfest - Denver, Colorado
Denver has been hosting a massive Oktoberfest celebration for over 50 years, drawing over a half-million attendees to join in on the fun. While there are other Oktoberfest celebrations in Colorado, Denver’s is the second largest Oktoberfest in the country after Cincinnati’s. It includes all of the usual activities like stein hoisting, eating contests, keg bowling, and a long list of German fare like brats, turkey legs, and warm pretzels that can be paired with all sorts of ales, including the Annual Denver Oktoberfest Brew. Plus, you can watch the popular long dog derby race, which determines the fastest dachshunds in the city. It takes place over six days during the last two weekends in September in the Ballpark neighborhood of Denver.
Official Website
Dates: September 22nd-24th & 29th-October 1st, 2023
Mount Snow Oktoberfest - Dover, Vermont
The Mount Snow Oktoberfest is held in Dover, Vermont, coinciding with some of the world’s best opportunities for leaf-peeping. Not only can you enjoy the usual festivities like the keg toss, schnitzel toss, and yodeling competition, along with tasting a wide range of German and domestic beers, but you can hop on the Bluebird Express to the mountain summit for a bird’s-eye view of the brilliant foliage. There are lots of things for the kids to do, too, including a bounce house and pumpkin painting. Plus, there will be an arts and crafts show and a 5K beer run to help burn off all the calories.
Official Website
Dates: October 7th, 2023
Fredericksburg Oktoberfest - Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg, in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is known for its German heritage, which has led many to call it the “Polka Capital” of the state. It’s not surprising then that it hosts an annual Oktoberfest celebration, one of the premiere fall events in Texas. The town was founded by German immigrants in 1846, and it honors its history in a big way this time of year. Held over three days, there will be tuba players leading traditional marches, arts and crafts, 50 varieties of beer, vendors selling everything from alpine wool hats to heart-shaped gingerbread cookies, and the famous Hauptstrasse Chicken Dance will be assuredly danced.
Official Website
Dates: October 6th – 8th, 2023
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest - Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth is proud of its German roots, named after the Province of Franconia in the Kingdom of Bavaria, with mut being the German word for courage. It’s filled with Bavarian architecture and is even known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria.” It’s no wonder it was the first to receive the blessing of Munich’s original Oktoberfest. Hosted in Heritage Park, it was also the first to export authentic beer from Munich’s Hofbrauhaus brewery for the occasion. Today, it’s the place to be in Michigan in the fall for traditional German beer, authentic entertainment, German food, wiener dog races, polka dancing, and much more.
Official Website
Dates: September 14th – 17th, 2023
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest - Big Bear Lake, California
Running for nine consecutive weekends in the fall, from mid-September through early November, the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest in Southern California provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a getaway to one of America’s top lake destinations and hikes on the rugged San Bernardino National Forest trails, along with all the German fun. The same beers poured in Munich will be filling pints here, including Ayinger, Spaten, and Warsteiner. Plus, there will be German and German-American bands performing along with events like a beer-drinking contest, log sawing, cornhole, and a pretzel toss for the kids.
Official Website
Dates: Weekends from September 9th-10th and November 4th
Breckenridge Oktoberfest - Breckenridge, Colorado
High in the Rockies, the beautiful town of Breckenridge hosts one of the most iconic Oktoberfest in the Colorado mountains. It’s a traditional celebration held over the first weekend of autumn that includes authentic German food, collectible steins, and lots of tasty brews from one of Colorado’s best breweries, including fall-themed beers, along with a selection of wine and cocktails too. All will be enjoyed with live music, surrounded by colorful foliage splashed across the Ten Mile Range. It all kicks off with the annual Oktoberfest 5K, which finishes just in time to enjoy the celebration.
Official Website
Dates: September 15th – 17th, 2023
Trapp Family Lodge Oktoberfest - Stowe, Vermont
Stowe, Vermont, is one of the best and most photogenic places to be in the fall, with some of the most impressive foliage in the country. And it’s also where you’ll find the Trapp Family Lodge Oktoberfest. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the von Trapp family of The Sound of Music fame, they headed to this farmstead where their descendants continue the tradition, complete with a brewery and lodge. Held at the von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, this Oktoberfest celebration includes Austrian-inspired beers, food, a stein-holding contest, and live music all day long.
Official Website
Dates: September 16th, 2023
