Skip to main content

FM
Former Member

The 10 most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations in the US

sylvester schneider owner of zum schneider restaurant and the man behind the event took the stage with his band msl franzi and theja ja jasMunich on the East River in New York City, New York. Business Insider/Sarah Jacobs

Not only is fall known for its stunning foliage, great travel rates, and pumpkin-spiced treatsβ€” it's famous for festivals like Oktoberfest.

However, if traveling to Munich, Germany, for the famous beer fest is too expensive, there are a few versions right here in the US that aren't too far off the mark.

Keep scrolling to see the 10 most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations in the US.

Prost!

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth, Michigan
A scene from Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest.
46137 / Flickr

When: September 14 - 17

Frankenmuth still carries the same charm it had when it was established as a Bavarian mission colony for Lutherans back in 1845. The town is referred to as Michigan's Little Bavaria, and really looks the part.

As for its Oktoberfest celebration, the mayor of Munich once officially sanctioned it. As the only event outside of Munich to receive such an honor, it's one of the most authentic Oktoberfests in the US, filled with authentic German music, food, and, of course, HofbrΓ€uhaus MΓΌnchen beer.

FM

Munich on the East River in New York City, New York

Munich on the East River in New York City, New York
Prost.
Business Insider/Sarah Jacobs

When: September 29 - October 8

German restaurant Zum Schneider sets up a giant tent along the East River in NYC every year, which they say is the largest Oktoberfest celebration in New York City. Created by Sylvester Schneider, a real-live German who takes the stage with his band, MΓΆsl Franzi and the Ja Ja Ja's, the food, music, and atmosphere could not be more authentic.

FM

Fredericksburg Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg has a long German history.
Facebook / Capital Ale House Fredericksburg

When: October 6 - 8

Founded by Germans in 1846 and named after Prince Frederick of Prussia, Fredricksburg is known for being the heart of Texas German culture. In fact, "Fritztown" is home to a special German dialect called Texas German, so it's no wonder that its Oktoberfest made this list.

The festival features brass bands that play polka and oompah music alongside traditional folk dancers and yodelers, and authentic German food such as flammkuchen, mettwurst, and pfeffernΓΌsse are abundant. Of course, there is also a plethora of imported beers.

FM

Alpine Village Oktoberfest in Torrance, California

Alpine Village Oktoberfest in Torrance, California
Alpine Village Oktoberfest is one of the best in the world.
Facebook / The Alpine Village

When: September 10 - October 22

Alpine Village, an authentic German restaurant, bakery, cafe, and Bierhall, is known for hosting one of the world's best Oktoberfests. The celebration features more than 100 craft beers from over 40 breweries, as well as classic German fare like bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut, and pretzels.

The main form of entertainment at the festival is an Oompah band flown in directly from Germany.

FM

Zinzinnati Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio

Zinzinnati Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio
Zinzinnati Oktoberfest is the second-largest Oktoberfest in the world.
Facebook / Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

When: September 15 - 17

With over 500,000 visitors annually, Cincinnati hosts the largest Oktoberfest in the US and the second-largest Oktoberfest in the world, only trailing the original. Festivities include an abundance of German cuisine, German style music, and German brewed beers including Erdinger, Warsteiner, and Weihenstephan.

They also host events such as the Running of the Wieners, where 100 dachshunds race each other in hot dog costumes, and the world's largest chicken dance, which entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1994 with approximately 48,000 participants.

FM

Denver Oktoberfest in Denver, Colorado

Denver Oktoberfest in Denver, Colorado
Participants raise a glass at Denver's Oktoberfest celebration.
Facebook / Denver Oktoberfest

When: September 22 - 23 and September 29 - 30

Colorado has a very German influenced history: the 1910 census shows that approximately 10% of the population was German or Austrian at the time.

Denver's Oktoberfest attracts over 350,000 people, and celebrates both the state's ancestry and beer culture with delicious German cuisine, imported Spaten and Franziskaner beer, oompah bands, a bratwurst eating contest, and a stein hoisting championship.

FM

Nashville Oktoberfest in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Oktoberfest in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville's Oktoberfest includes a lot of music.
Facebook / Nashville Oktoberfest

When: October 5 - 8

The country music capital of the world hosts a massive Oktoberfest celebration each year that spans eight blocks.

The festival showcases traditional German music and oompah bands, Biergardens stocked with Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Weihenstephan, and other German beers, a Wiener dog race, and the world's longest beer slip 'n slide.

FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×