Photo by Caitlin Abrams
New Ulm Oktoberfest
Lederhosen and lagers are the reason for the Oktoberfest season. Celebrate Oktoberfest in the Twin Cities and beyond with these special upcoming events. Eat some Bavarian pretzels, drink some Hefeweizen, and be merry.
St. Paul Oktoberfest returns to the beautiful grounds of the Germanic American Institute. This year, the festival is importing Paulaner directly from Munich, while also featuring brews from Utepils. Food vendors include traditional German bites like bratwurst and pretzels from Aki’s Breaadhaus as well as Vietnamese fare from KCM Eggrolls. September 9-10, Germanic American Institute, 301 Summit Ave., St. Paul.
Oktoberfest at Broken Clock Brewing will feature live music, new beer releases, and live tattooing from Nokomis Tattoo. Snack on Sweet Lou’s Meats and Northeast Pretzels. September 9, Broken Clock Brewing, 1712 NE Marshall St., Mpls.
Oktoberfest at Mason Jar Kitchen and Bar
Get your weekend started right this September with a Friday Oktoberfest celebration at Mason Jar Kitchen and Bar in Eagan. Enjoy live music, brats and burgers, and games. September 15, 22, 29. 1565 Cliff Rd., Eagan.
Oktoberfest at Utepils Brewery
Highlights of this year’s Oktoberfest at Utepils consist of meat raffles, pretzel eating contests, stein holding contests, performances by the Polkarobics and others, and of course lots of beer and snacks. Admission is free on Fridays and $5 on Saturdays. September 15-16 and 22-23, 225 Thomas Ave. N., Mpls.
The 5th Annual PryesFest Music Festival is back and bigger than ever with three weekends of festivities and music. Enjoy a special food and beer menu that will include the return of their small-batch Märzen lager. September 15-16, 22-23, and 29-30, Pryes Brewing Company, 1401 West River Rd. N., Mpls.
Head to Surly for a month of festing starting on Sept. 12. There are copious Germanic brews on tap, plus free music on the weekend (along with a promised ban on accordions). September 12-29, Surly Brewing, 520 Malcolm Ave SE, Mpls.
Oktoberfest at Forgotten Star Brewing Company
Check out the Oktoberfest festivities at Forgotten Star Brewing for three days of live music from bands including Bad Bad Hats and Bluehound. Also part of this free event is face painting, llama petting, stein holding and much more. September 15-17, 38 Northern Stacks Dr., Fridley
A block party in the most traditional sense - community, music, food, drink. The event is hosted by Dual Citizen Brewing Co. and will feature musical performances and local food trucks. September 16, Dual Citizen Brewing Co., 725 Raymond Ave., St. Paul
Schwandtoberfest at Bauhaus Brew Labs
Celebrate ten years of Schwandtoberfest with Bauhaus Brew Labs! Grab their FESTBOX mixed 12-pack in stores now or head on down on Saturday, September 16 for a blend of classic and new celebrations, including BMX biking performances, a bratwurst and hot sauce contest, and more. 1315 Tyler St. NE, Mpls.
Oktoberfest at Saint Paul Brewing
Celebrate Oktoberfest at Saint Paul Brewing with a special menu including homemade pretzels and a smattering of mustards, and a specialty brussels sprout woodfired pizza. Each Sunday event has something special: stein holding, keg bowling and their version of hammerschlagen, all in the St. Paul Brewing biergarten at the former Hamm’s Brewing site. Sundays, September 17 - October 1, 688 Minnehaha Ave. E., St. Paul
Little Munich Oktoberfest at Indeed
Indeed’s Little Munich festival is bringing back the pig roast from Revival, along with festbier, stein holding, and music from the Twin Cities Brass Band. Wear lederhosen or dirndl for a discount on your first beer. September 21, 711 15th Ave NE, Mpls.
Oktoberfest at Waldmann Brewery
St. Paul’s Waldmann Brewery is hosting a two-weekend Oktoberfest celebration, filled with live music, German food, souvenir steins and fresh root beer along with Oktoberfest beers, all under a tented biergarten. Sundays are family days! September 22-24 and 29-30, October 1, $7.50 admission for adults, $3 for kids 12 and younger. 445 Smith Ave. N., St. Paul
Northeast Minneapolis’ oldest Oktoberfest celebration returns to Fulton Brewery. Fulton will be serving up bratwursts, classic German beer from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and Fulton Brewing. Enjoy performances from Edelweiss dancers, live polka bands, and even a terrifying visit from folklore icon Krampus. September 22-24 and 29-30, Fulton Brewery Headquarters, free admission. 2540 NE 2nd St., Mpls.
Oktober FondueFest at Melting Pot
Enjoy German-themed fondue menu items at melting pot with their special Oktober Fonduefest menu. From September 25 to October 26, enjoy the sweet and the savory of German cuisine with Black Forest chocolate and beer cheese fondue tastefully paired with pretzels, Bratwurst and more. 80 S. 9th St., Mpls.
Oktoberfest at Black Forest Inn
Ten Oktoberfest beers will be on tap at the beloved German restaurant for their Oktoberfest celebration. A ceremonial keg will be tapped on the first day, with different German foods like pretzels and goulash being highlighted on their own day of the festivities. Live music will be performed each night of this fest as well. Keep an eye on their website for more updates. September 29 - October 8, Black Forest Inn, 1 E. 26th St., Mpls.
This one’s a bit of a trek, but with La Crosse boasting one of the longest-running Oktoberfest celebrations in the Midwest, we’d say it’s definitely worth the trip. La Crosse has its own festival grounds for the event, so prepare yourself for three days of eating, dancing, and drinking. Definitely don your lederhosen for this. September 28-30, 3-day passes for $20. 1 Oktoberfest Strasse, LaCrosse, Wisc.
Celebrate the release of not one but three special Fest Bier brews from Wild Mind Ales at their Oktoberfest celebration. This two-day event features food from Nashville Coop and a movie screening the first night and live music the second, with food from Parlour. September 29-30, Wild Mind Ales, 6031 Pillsbury Ave., Mpls.
Oktoberfest at Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Sausage slinging, yodeling and beard competitions, stein holding competitions, and even a sauerkraut eating contest—this celebration is perfect for those ready to put their German roots to the test. For the rest of us who attribute Oktoberfest to delicious brews and snacks, enjoy Dachshund Races, vendors, and strolling through the Bavarian village. September 29 - October 1, Minnesota Renaissance Festival Grounds,12364 Chestnut Blvd, Shakopee
Oktoberfest at Lakes & Legends Brewing Company
Enjoy Oktoberfest at Lakes & Legends with a performance by the Twin Cities Brass Band, KCM Egg Rolls food truck, plus a bags tournament. September 30. Lakes and Legends Brewing Company, 1368 LaSalle Ave., Mpls.
Celebrate Fair State Brewing's 9th anniversary with new beer releases, specialty seltzers, German food, polka, stein hoisting, and more. September 30, 2506 Central Ave. NE, Mpls.
Revisit the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for the Twin Cities Oktoberfest’s 13th annual celebration of brews. Enjoy local brews, ciders, and seltzers from Utepils, Sociable Ciderwerks, and Lupulin along with a collection of traditional German foods and Oktoberfest music. October 6-7, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul
New Ulm and Schell’s Oktoberfest
Festivities at the New Ulm Oktoberfest take place over the first two weekends of October and all over town, including at Schell’s. Enjoy live music, German food, parades, games—there’s not much you won’t find here. October 6-7 and 13-14, New Ulm
Travail is teaming up with Nouvelle once again for this special Oktoberfest. Enjoy all-you-can-eat food and beer, Geil burgers, brats, and more from the culinary minds of Travail along with small-batch brews by Nouvelle Brewing. October 7, tickets are $79, 4124 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale
Maple Grove Parks and Recreation and OMNI Brewing Company are co-sponsoring Harvest-tober Fest. Enjoy locally brewed beer, food trucks, local vendors and live music at Central Park. October 7, 12000 Lakeview Dr. N., Maple Grove
