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.
Yoerg Brewing
St. Paul’s historic Yoerg Brewing is celebrating Oktoberfest the whole month of September with an exclusive selection of authentic German fest beers and fest music, plus German wine flights (the latter only on weekends). Sept. 1-30, 378 Maria Ave., St Paul, yoergbeer.com
SurlyFest
The brewery’s Oktoberfest event boasts entertainment from five different musical artists. German food includes “impossibly large pierogies,” also available at the Beer Hall and Surly Pizza Upstairs from September 10–21. Sept. 20, Surly Brewing Co., 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Mpls., surlybrewing.com
St. Paul Oktoberfest
Celebrate Oktoberfest at the Germanic-American Institute. The event will have nonstop entertainment from the Bavarian Musikmeisters, Edelweiss dancers, Ukrainian Village Band, and more. Sept. 12–13, 301 Summit Ave., St. Paul, gaimn.org
Fair State Co-Optoberfest
Celebrate Oktoberfest and the brewery’s anniversary all in one. The event will have flash tattoos from Citadel Tattoo, free screenprinting, and a stein-hoisting competition. Sept. 13, 2506 Central Ave. NE, Mpls., fairstate.coop
Insight Brewing Co. Dogtoberfest 2
The brewing company promises a hot dog-ful day of hot dog eating contests, live music, a tattoo pop-up, and the release of a new mustard seed, dill pickle, and port-pepper-infused lager called “MUSTAAAARD.” Sept. 13, 2821 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., insightbrewing.com
Marketoberfest
Purchase a punch ticket for an opportunity to sample beers from more than 16 breweries at the Market at Malcolm Yards while enjoying yard games, ceramics painting, a raffle, and Bead Bar by Little Words Project experience. Sept. 14, 501 30th Ave. E., Mpls., malcolmyards.market
Delano Oktoberfest
The two-day fest will feature performances from The Klaberheads and the German dance group SG Edelweiss. Don’t miss the housemade pretzels and apfelstrudel. Sept. 19–20, $5, 650 N. River St., Delano, stpeterlc.org
Fulton Oktoberfest
The two-weekend event will have a sausage toss, traditional meterwurst, live music, and German beer favorites Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Oh, and there’s a kinderhaus for the kiddos. Sept. 19–20 and 26–27, Fulton Brewery, 2540 NE 2nd St., Mpls., fultonoktoberfest.com
Utepils Oktoberfest
The Minneapolis brewing company is hosting Oktoberfest across two weekends. Think: beers, brats, and pretzels. Fridays are free. Sept. 19–20 and 26–27, 225 Thomas Ave. N., Mpls., utepilsbrewing.com
Forgotten Star Brewing Oktoberfest
There will be llamas, face painting, magicians, a stein-holding contest, German trivia, and more. Saturday and Sunday are free. Sept. 19–21, 38 Northern Stacks Dr., Fridley, forgottenstarbrewing.com
PryesFest
Head to Pryes Brewing and its expansive patio for a goat-petting pen and a Beer Garden Stein Bar (including the PryesFest Märzen). Sept. 19–21 and 26–28, and Oct. 3–5, 1401 West River Road N., Mpls., pryesbrewing.com
Waldmann Brewery Oktoberfest
The St. Paul brewery will offer live music, traditional dance, a tented beer garden, and salt-glazed steins for its Oktoberfest party. Don’t miss out on Family Day Sundays—kids under five are free. Sept. 19–21 and 26–28, tickets are $10, 445 Smith Ave., St. Paul, waldmannbrewery.com
Clocktoberfest
Jam at Broken Clock Brewing with live music from The 4onthefloor, Pleezer, The Confused, Clung Tight, and The Audacity. Grab a traditional German pretzel from Aki’s Breadhaus to go with your Clocktoberfest Märzen. Sept. 20, 1712 NE Marshall St., Mpls., brokenclockbrew.com
HeavyFest 2025
Head to Heavy Rotation Brewing Co. for a free meat raffle, pretzel-eating contest, and live music from The Low Down Band. Sept. 20, 9801 Xenia Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, heavyrotationbrewing.com
Schram Haus Brewing Oktobierfest
Head to Chaska for a costume contest, stein-holding contest, sausage toss, and a keg toss. Enjoy food from Sweet Wink’s and Gerhard’s. Sept. 20, 3700 Chaska Blvd., Chaska, schramhausbrewery.com
Luce Line Brewing Oktoberfest
Join Luce Line Brewing for the longest Oktoberfest celebration on this list. With daily programming throughout its nine-day bier marathon, its schedule—and steins—are hopping with Oktober fun. Compete in the Best Dirndl and Lederhosen Contests and try their seasonal-favorite Schnapsidee, Kölsch, and Happily Hazy brews. Sept. 26–Oct. 4, 12901 16th Ave. N., Plymouth, lucelinebrewing.com
Saint Paul Brewing Oktoberfest in the Hamm’s Biergarten
Saint Paul Brewing kicks things off with a Friday Dogtoberfest (feat. dogs in costumes, dog vendors, and photo opps) before its Saturday Oktoberfest celebration, which includes two different Oktoberfest beers, mulled wine, hot apple cider, and käsekrainers (which are sausages in hollowed-out bread shaped like a French baguette). There will also be keg bowling, stein holding, and other Oktoberfest games, all set within the ruins of the circa 19th century Hamm’s horse stables. On Sunday, Saint Paul Brewing rings it in with live polka music in the biergarten. Sept. 26-28, 688 Minnehaha Ave E., St Paul, stpaulbrewing.com
Shorewood Oktoberfest
This family-friendly event will feature inflatables, face painting, and balloon twisting. Sept. 27, Shorewood Community and Event Center, 5745 Country Club Rd., Shorewood, shorewoodmn.gov
Lake Minnetonka Oktoberfest
Continue the family-friendly celebration with a German folk dress contest and live music from Skitzo Fonik. Sept. 27, Excelsior American Legion Post 259, 24450 Smithtown Rd., Shorewood, hendricksonfoundation.com
Wandering Leaf Brewing Oktoberfest
Grab a Wandering Leaf-themed stein and sip on two German-style beers: Festbier and Doppelbock. Sept. 27, 2463 W. 7th St., St. Paul, wanderingleafbrewing.com
Twin Cities Oktoberfest
Celebrate the 15th annual event with beer from Utepils Brewing and Brühaven Craft Co. Visit to find out why Tasting Table ranked this celebration the fourth-best Oktoberfest in the United States. Oct. 3–4, MN State Fairgrounds Progress Center, 621 Randall Ave., St. Paul, tcoktoberfest.com
New Ulm Oktoberfest
Head to the German hub of Minnesota to fest to the fullest. The two-weekend event includes everything from live performances from the Concord Singers and the Bockfest Boys to yodeling and sauerkraut-eating contests. Oct. 3–4 and 10–11, New Ulm, newulm.com
Schell’s Oktoberfest
Make it to New Ulm on Oct. 11 for this unforgettable fest, with eats like soft pretzels, brats, and lots of sauerkraut, plus live music and Märzen to imbibe, brewed just once a years. Oct. 11, Schell’s Brewery, 1860 Schell Rd., New Ulm, schellsbrewery.com
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort Oktoberfest
If you’re not ready to bid “auf Wiedersehen” to Oktoberfest, visit Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort, where they’re Oktoberfest-ing for their 39th time. Enjoy food, drinks, and crafts at this family-friendly getaway in Deerwood. Oct. 17–18, 25039 Tame Fish Lake Rd., Deerwood, ruttgers.com
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