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.
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 16, 4 - 7 pm, September 17, 11 am - 6 pm, September 23, 4 - 7 pm, September 24, 11 am - 6 pm,
Revivial chef Thomas Boemer is hosting a Sourbraten Pig Roast for Indeed Brewing's 10 year anniversary party. The taproom promises to "transform into Little Munich for the night" with festbier, steinholding, music from the Twin Cities Brass Band, and Revival’s German-inspired menu with pretzels and fried chicken nugs. September 22
Oktoberfest at Saint Paul Brewing
With a roaming accordion and polka band, celebrate Oktoberfest at Saint Paul Brewing with a sausage plate, homemade pretzels and a smattering of mustards, Obatzda, a German cheese dip, house-made sauerkraut, and a specialty brussels sprout woodfired pizza. September 23, 3 - 10 pm
Oktoberfest at Waldmann Brewery
St. Paul’s Waldmann Brewery is hosting a two-weekend Oktoberfest celebration, filled with live music, games, fresh pretzels, and outdoor grilling, along with Oktoberfest beers, all under a tented Biergarten. Sundays are family days! September 23, 3 - 10 pm, September 24, 12 - 10 pm, September 25, 12 - 7 pm, September 30, 3 - 10 pm, October 1, 12 - 10 pm, October 2, 12 - 10 pm, $5 admission for adults, $2 for kids
Northeast Minneapolis’ oldest Oktoberfest celebration returns to Fulton Brewery. Fulton will be serving up Kramarczuck’s 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 23, 4 pm - 10 pm, September 24, 2 pm - 10 pm, September 30, 4 pm - 10 pm, October 1, 2 pm - 10 pm, Fulton Brewery Headquarters, free admission
Oktoberfest at Black Forest Inn
Ten Oktoberfest beers will be on tap at the beloved German restaurant for their Oktoberfest celebration. Expect music and of course - lots of delicious German food, if you’re into sausage and schnitzel, of course. September 23 - October 2, Black Forest Inn
Oktoberfest at Lakes & Legends Brewing Company
Enjoy Oktoberfest at Lakes & Legends - traditional German Märzen beer, live polka and folk music (including a performance by the Twin Cities Brass Band), and a special menu curated by the Gentleman Forager that includes a reuben sandwich and wild mushroom soup. Purchase a custom sten the day of and get it filled for free! September 24, 12 - 8 pm, Lakes & Legends Brewing Company
Custom-made event Steins, a pretzel eating contest, Hammerschlagen, and Wild Mind’s very own Oktoberfest beer. What’s not to love? September 24, 1 - 9 pm, Wild Mind Ales
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 29 - October 1, La Crosse, WI, 3-day passes for $20
Celebrate Fair State Brewing's 8th anniversary with new beer releases, specialty seltzers, German food, polka, stein hoisting, and more. October 1
Travail is teaming up for this special Oktoberfest. Enjoy all-you-can-eat food and beer, Geil burgers, brats, Pig Ate My Pizza buffet, Käsespätzle (a German version of Mac and Cheese) and small-batch brews by Nouvelle Brewing. October 1, tickets are $79
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. October 1 - 2, 10:30 am - 3: 30 pm, Minnesota Renaissance Festival Grounds, general admission is $27
Revisit the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for the Twin Cities Oktoberfest’s 12th annual celebration of brews. Enjoy local brews, ciders, and seltzers from Utepils, Sociable Ciderwerks, Lupulin, and Hop and Barrel, along with a collection of traditional German foods and Oktoberfest music. October 7, 5 - 11 pm, October 8, 12 - 10 pm, Minnesota State Fairgrounds
New Ulm and Schell’s Oktoberfest
Festivities at the 40th 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 7 - 8, October 14 - 15, New Ulm, Minnesota
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 8, 4-9 pm, 12000 Central Park, Maple Grove
Oktoberfest at Tattersall River Falls
The new Wisconsin location of Tattersall is going all out for its first Oktoberfest: $50 tickets get you a German-style food buffet, live polka music, and more. October 15
Bar Crawls
- LUSH Oktoberfest Bar Crawl, September 24, 1, and 8, 3 - 9 pm, LUSH Lounge and Theater, tickets are $30
- Minneapolis Oktoberfest Bar Crawl October 1, 3 - 10 pm, The Famous Brass Rail
Past
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. Enjoy an array of international foods, from Gerhard bratwurst, potato pancakes and pretzels to fare from Twin Cities Gyro and tacos from La Costeñita, and non-stop entertainment. September 9, 4 - 10 pm, September 10, 10 am - 10 pm, Germanic American Institute, $5 for alcohol wristbands
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 10, 12 - 8:30 pm, Broken Clock Brewing, free admission
A block party in the most traditional sense - community, music, food, drink. The event is hosted by Dual Citizen Brewing Co. and will feature performances from national and local artists. September 10, 12 - 11 pm, Dual Citizen Brewing Co., free admission
Enjoy live music from Nick Maurer, Side Two Rock Band, and Of The Orchard, food from Hana Bistro, and a special Oktoberfest beer on tap this weekend at 612Brew—lederhosen are encouraged. September 10, 3 pm, free admission
The 4th Annual PryesFest Music Festival is a 3-day weekend of live music on an outdoor stage with performances by Big Something, SunSquabi, and more! Enjoy a special food and beer menu that will include the return of their small-batch Marzen lager. September 16 - 18, 11 am - 12 am, Pryes Brewing Company
Enjoy an afternoon of beer, baseball, music, and games at Summit Brewing Company. The game will be available to view outdoors on the back lawn (don’t forget your blanket) and the Ratskeller Beer Hall. September 17, 12 - 7 pm, Summit Brewing Company tickets are $15, $10 for designated driver/under 21 entry
