Oktoberfests Across America
by Deb CornickThe first "Oktoberfest" was a royal Bavarian wedding attended by the people of Munich in 1810. It was such a blast that before long, towns hosted yearly festivals for families to celebrate the fall harvest. Today, your family can watch a parade; enjoy Bavarian music, dance, and yodeling; enter a polka contest and ride carnival attractions; eat sausage and apple strudel; and buy handmade crafts. If you've always wanted to learn the "chicken dance," find an Oktoberfest in your area and head straight for the Biergarten!
The Eastern and Southern United States
Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl
Hunter, NY, 12442
Come to the northern Catskills and celebrate fall with German-American bands, food and drink, games and rides, and plenty of old-world tradition. Don't miss the Hunter Mountain Skyride.
Phone: 518-263-4223
International Oktoberfest
Newport, RI
Celebrate this authentic German Oktoberfest with Bavarian music, German food, Biergarten, Weingarten, arts and crafts, and children's activities.
Phone: 401-846-1600
Oktoberfest on the River
Savannah, GA
Find lots of German food, entertainment and family fun.
Phone: 912-234-0295
North Georgia
Helen, GA
Take to the streets to what looks like a town in the Bavarian Alps with polka, Bavarian food, and plenty of Oom-Pah music.
Phone: 800-858-8027
The Midwest and Rockies
Oktoberfest
La Crosse, WI
Step back into the Old World with plenty of German tradition, entertainment and food.
Phone: 608-784-3378
Oktoberfest
Amana Colonies
Amana, IA
Gather in the Amana Colonies for a German-style fest with plenty of family fun.
Phone: 800-579-2294
Oktoberfest
Rhinelander, WI,
Sample German food and beer, and dance to live German music.
Phone: 800-236-4386
Oktoberfest
Tulsa, OK
Enjoy polkas, Viennese melodies, Alpine folk dancers, jugglers, authentic German and European foods, and arts and crafts.
Phone: 918-744-9700
Minster Oktoberfest
Minster, OH
Experience the community's rich German heritage in the parades, music, food, and games -- lots of fun for the whole family.
Phone: 419-628-3241
The Western United States
La Mesa Oktoberfest
La Mesa, CA
Join in the celebration with dancing, Oom-Pah music, contests, and bratwurst and beer.
Phone: 619-465-7700
Oktoberfest
El Cajon, CA
Experience German tradition at its best--bands, food, folk dancing, crafts, contests and shooting gallery.
Phone: 619-442-6637
Oktoberfest
Leavenworth, WA
Follow the horse-drawn beer wagon to plenty of great Bavarian music, food, and family fun.
Phone: 509-548-0150
Big Bear Oktoberfest
Big Bear Lake, CA
Listen to German bands from high in the San Bernardino Mountains. Enjoy polkas, log sawing and Alphorn blowing contests, authentic foods and plenty of family fun.
Phone: 909-585-3000
Canada
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Kitchener, ON, Canada
Discover the rich German-Canadian heritage in cultural exhibits, historical displays, ethnic food, and German bands--great for singing and dancing.
Phone: 519-570-4267
Always call to confirm dates. Also check your local newspapers for additional Oktoberfests.
