America’s rich history of immigration over the centuries has comprised a large number of German settlers – a trend that has given rise to Oktoberfest celebrations across the nation.
A waitress shows off her beer glass-holding prowess at Munich in Brooklyn (Photo: Zum Schneider NYC)
Each year numerous towns and cities across America stage their own versions of the Oktoberfest celebration that originated in Munich, Germany back in the early 18th century. First created as a folk festival, the event is best known today for its beer offerings, with many of the American Oktoberfests featuring authentic beer imported from Germany. If you’d like to visit one of these raucous occasions, we’ve given you plenty of inspiration by picking out 13 of the most authentic Oktoberfests in the US, listed geographically from east to west.
Zum Schneider Oktoberfest “Munich in Brooklyn”
The largest Oktoberfest celebration in New York City, Munich Brooklyn (formerly Munich on the East River) has been an annual fixture on the Big Apple’s cultural calendar for a long and successful decade. Organised by Sylvester Schneider, owner of the traditional (but sadly now closed) Bavarian Biergarten in Manhattan, East Village, the event takes place in the backyard of 3 Dollar Bill, a premier Brooklyn bar, where revellers assemble under a large Oktoberfest tent in an outdoor beer garden for a Munich-style celebration. Family-friendly and open to all ages, visitors can enjoy live music, a traditional Schuhplattler dancing group and enough food and drink to satisfy any appetite, as well as a host of other fun activities and entertainment including a photo booth and carnival games. Ticket prices range from $15 to $120. Go to www.zumschneider.com for tickets and more info. You can also stay tuned about the organisers’ other pop-up events at www.nyc.zumschneider.com/newsletter.
3 Dollar Bill, Brooklyn / 27 September – 6 October 2024
Leavenworth Oktoberfest
Revellers pose for a photo at Leavenworth Oktoberfest (Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce)
The small village of Leavenworth in Washington State plays host to a magical Oktoberfest celebration each year. Set among the snow-clad peaks of the Cascade Mountains, the old-world Alpine-style village draws local vendors, artists and crafters who come to showcase their Bavarian-themed wares in front of large numbers of locals and visitors alike. The heart of the action takes place at the Leavenworth Festhalle and Front Street Park, where three stages will be chock full of scheduled entertainment including live Polka music. Other highlights include lashings of food and drink, a root beer garden, a 62-foot Ferris Wheel, and tons of kids’ activities. There’s even a dedicated drop-in ‘Kinderplatz’ (playground) to keep your little ones entertained while you merrily eat, drink or shop for souvenirs. New for 2024 will also be a special area for adults to enjoy lawn and leisure games.
Leavenworth, Washington State / 4-5, 11-12 & 18-19 October 2024
Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa
Packed crowds at Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa (Photo: Shane Bevel)
A celebration of Bavarian culture in the heart of Oklahoma, Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa kicks off with a private, ‘Gemütlichkeit’ (warm & friendly) evening followed by a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment. There’s German bands, Bavarian delicacies, arts and crafts, carnival rides and family-friendly competitions. Be sure to sample some authentic German bratwurst with sauerkraut, beers, cheesecake, knackwurst and Polish sausages, stollen, hot pretzels, apple strudel and other foodie treats that originated in northern and eastern Europe. Meanwhile, markets selling all kinds of German items such as stained glass, steins, beads and other novelties make for ideal souvenir hunting.
Tulsa, Oklahoma / 17-20 October 2024
Mount Angel Oktoberfest
Dressed to impress at Mount Angel Oktoberfest (Photo: Mount Angel Oktoberfest)
Can’t fly to Germany? This is the next best thing! Mount Angel Oktoberfest celebrates its Bavarian/Swiss heritage each September by inviting 350,000 people to join them. Revellers visit for the culture and stay for the fun, with each of the four days beginning with a traditional ‘webertanz’. Visitors can also view the Maibaum and Fruchtsäule as they stroll the 50 food booths disguised as alpine chalets., while five biergartens showcase German beers, wines and local craft brews. Entertainment is nonstop and varies from alphorns to alpine rock, to enjoy a polka, to watching gentlemen perform the schuhplattler. Adding to the occasion, the Glockenspiel displays the town history every hour.
Mount Angel, Oregon / 12-15 September 2024
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
If you’re daunted by two or three days of Oktoberfest action, then look away now because this big beast of a celebration in the city of Frankenmuth takes place not just over a single weekend, but nine consecutive ones. Of course, there’s no obligation to attend them all, but however long you spend here, you’ll struggle not to enter into the spirit of the occasion. So what makes this Oktoberfest authentic? Let’s start with the beer, which the organisers ensure is the same as that being poured all the way across the pond in Munich where it all began. So if you’ve never tried a Spaten, Warsteiner or Ayinger, now’s your chance. Drinking aside, there are also tons of family-friendly activities to enjoy including log sawing and a hotly-contested pretzel toss for kids.
Heritage Park, Frankenmuth / Every weekend from 7 September through to 2 November 2024
Four Peaks Oktoberfest
A Four Peaks festival-goer tucks into some traditional food (Photo: Four Peaks Brewing Oktoberfest)
Taking place just north of Tempe Butte in Arizona, the artificial reservoir of Tempe Town Lake is the scene of one of the region’s signature annual events. Held over three fun-packed days, the German-style family-friendly celebration features live music, brats, and beer gardens, along with quirky extras such as a polka stage, dachshund racing, keg tappings, karaoke, carnival rides, kids activities, and plenty more, while by night the festival site turns into a buzzing concert venue.
Tempe Town Lake, Arizona / 11-13 October 2024
Denver Oktoberfest
All-smiles at Denver Oktoberfest (Photo: Denver Oktoberfest)
Held annually for over half a decade, Denver Oktoberfest is one of America’s most long-standing – and largest – Oktoberfests. What started as a humble festival has ballooned into a multi-day event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the streets of downtown Denver, which are taken over by live music acts, vendors serving plenty of delicious German-themed food and drink, (including authentic beer brands such as Spaten and Franziskaner), plus an array of other activities and events including keg bowling and stein hoisting. The event is free to enter, though VIP packages are available for a fee.
Denver, Colorado /20-22 & 27-29 October 2024
Fredericksburg Oktoberfest
A live band perform at Fredericksburg Oktoberfest (Photo: Regina Rodriguez via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)
Perched in the heart of Texas Hill County, Fredericksburg’s German heritage has led to many people dubbing the city the ‘Polka Capital of Texas. But far from hiding its Teutonic light under a bushel, Fredericksburg celebrates this history with great gusto, and never more so than at its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Held over three days, the event features an assortment of activities, including oompah music, arts, crafts, shopping, a children’s area, 50 varieties of beer, and the hotly anticipated Hauptstrasse Chicken Dance.
Fredericksburg, Texas / 4-6 October 2024
Zinzinnati Oktoberfest
Traditional horn instruments being blown at Zinzinnati Oktoberfest (Photo: Chris Breeze via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Among the largest Oktoberfests in the country and indeed the world, Zinzinnati Oktoberfest attracts around half a million visitors every year. The festival is chock full of specialty beer tappings, including limited-release beers from sponsor Samuel Adams as well as local craft beer that you won’t find anywhere else. As for non-imbibing activities, you can participate in the ‘Gemuetlichkeit’ (goodwill) Games with a beer barrel roll or a stein race, or watch the incredible running ‘weiners’ (dogs) compete for bragging rights. There’s also live stage music where you can catch some great performances including traditional German oompah bands.
Cincinnati, Ohio / 19-22 September 2024
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest
Raising glasses at Frankenmuth Oktoberfest (Photo: Lauren O’Connell)
One of numerous towns and cities in the US with long-standing German roots, Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest boasts the distinction of being the first to receive the blessing of the original Oktoberfest in Munich. Held in the vast green expanse of Heritage Park, the event was also the first to export authentic beer from Munich’s iconic Hofbrauhaus brewery for the occasion – much to the delight of the city’s beer-loving aficionados. Today the festival has gone from strength to strength, drawing visitors from far and wide with its authentic entertainment, dancing, souvenirs, diverse food, and of course, Hofbrauhaus beer.
Frankenmuth, Michigan / 19-22 September 2024
Helen Oktoberfest
Bavarian-style architecture in the city of Helen (Photo: Yaniv Yaakubovich via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)
Another well-established event, Helen Oktoberfest is said to be the longest-running Oktoberfest anywhere in the US. Held in the Georgia city of Helen’s riverside Festhalle venue, it’s spread over multiple weeks of dancing, food, and beer, with revellers typically seen dressed in traditional attire including lederhosen and dirndls while dancing to the polka. There’s a rotating group of musical acts authentic German tunes and modern favourites. The event is open to all ages, though weekends are popular with tour and college groups, while weekdays tend to be a bit more family-friendly
Helen, Georgia / 5 September – 27 October 2024
Trapp Family Lodge Oktoberfest
Visitors pose for a photo at the Trapp Family Lodge Oktoberfest (Photo: Trapp Family Lodge)
Located on 2,500 acres in the picturesque town of Stowe in northern Vermont, Trapp Family Lodge is a unique mountain resort that also happens to host one of America’s most scenic Oktoberfests. Set against stunning mountain views, the event invites visitors to stroll around the resort’s dedicated Bierhall and grounds, where you’ll find oompah bands, authentic Bavarian foods, freshly brewed von Trapp Brewing lagers, lawn games, and fun for the whole family. Admission is free and includes an entree, app and mug.
Stowe, Vermont / 21 September 2024
Oktoberfest, USA
Just as the World Super Bowl doesn’t actually feature any Football team outside America, the name Oktoberfest, USA may give the impression of it being the nation’s single, definitive Oktoberfest. But while this isn’t actually the case, the size and prestige of the annual occasion means it very well could be. Held for over 60 years, the event is the largest and longest-running Oktoberfest anywhere in the Midwest, with thousands of revellers descending on the city of La Crosse on the banks of the Mississippi River each year to soak up the entertainment. Traditional activities and events include stein races, barrel rolls, grain tosses, polka dancing, stein holding competitions, a Festmaster’s ball, and – not to be missed – the ceremonial tapping of the Sam Adams Golden Keg.
La Crosse, Wisconsin / 26-29 September 2024