Oktoberfest is just around the corner, and we’re starting to hear some buzz. Here’s a lineup of the Bay Area Oktoberfest events that have already been announced for this year. Bust out your lederhosen and get ready to polka, because the festivities are about to commence!
Oktoberfest on the Lake: 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 11, Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill, 1520 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Celebrate Oktoberfest at our restaurant’s lakeside pier, where guests will be able to enjoy authentic German music live by Alpine Sound, umbrella covered seating, fire pits, multiple bars, a Steinholding contest (with a prize), dirndl and lederhosen clad partygoers, Oktoberfest T-shirts and a full menu plus specials including Pretzels & Beer Cheese, Bratwurst and Stout Brownies. $40. thelakechalet.com
Oktoberfest Block Party: 3 p.m. to close Sept. 16, Schroeder’s Restaurant, 240 Front St., San Francisco. San Francisco’s historic, beloved German restaurant, Schroeder’s, welcomes the 129th Oktoberfest with its annual over-the-top block party. Festivties will include live music, German beer, Bavarian bites, and beer games such as stein chugging, stein holding, costume contests, and more. Don Lederhosen or Drndl and proudly proclaim: “Prost!”. Free admission. bayareane.ws/3R5hkBt
Ludwig’s Oktoberfest: 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 16, 17, 24 and 25. Ludwig’s German Table, 261 N. Second St., San Jose. Dust down your dirndl and celebrate Oktoberfest the Ludwig’s way. Traditional Oktoberfest menu including Schweinshaxe, Nuernberger sausages, roast chicken and more. Enjoy all the typical Oktoberfest festivities, plus a best-dressed contest and, of course, the annual stein-holding competition. Price per table (6 to 8 people) $130. ludwigssj.com/events
Oktoberfest Redwood City: Sept. 21-25, Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Redwood City’s premier fall event, Oktoberfest Downtown Redwood City features a fabulous traditional German Oktoberfest setting – complete with over 1,100 feet of “family style” bench seating – lots of fun and merriment, music, dancing, contests, cold beer and other beverages, food, and more. $10-$27. redwoodcity.org/oktoberfest
WoodsFest – Island Oktoberfest Party and Beer Release: 12 to 5 p.m. Sept. 24, 1 Avenue of the Palms, San Francisco. Come celebrate Oktoberfest with us at Woods Island Club! The event features Joe Smiell’s German Brass Band, bratwurst by Eric Miller, exclusive new beer releases, and Beautiful Treasure Island views that are only a 5-minute-ferry ride from downtown SF! $25. Eventbrite: bayareane.ws/3ATWgru
Flagship Taproom Oktoberfest: 2 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24, Flagship Taproom Cotati, 8099B La Plaza, Cotati. Join this Oktoberfest parking lot party which offers 10+ different German beers in pints, liters, and 2-liter boots, and live music from the great VooDoo Vultures. Freshly grilled Bratwurst (vegan option available) and pretzels with housemade beer cheese available all day. To top it all off, compete in one of the competitions including yodeling, mug holding and, of course, the traditional costume contest. Free. Eventbrite: bit.ly/3P8DAZX
Oktoberfest Midtown Sacramento: 3 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24, Der Biergarten, 2332 K St., Sacramento. Der Biergarten will once again take over the block of 24th and K Streets in Midtown for an Oktoberfest Street Party. Plan on German beer, entertainment, food and games. $10-$15. Eventbrite: bit.ly/3AahQbR
OktoberFest Los Gatos: 12 to 5 p.m. Sept. 25, Civic Center Lawn, Los Gatos. Cheers! All are invited to kick off the gorgeous fall season with OktoberFest Los Gatos. ‘Tapping of the Keg’ and cheering PROST! will start the party. The AlpineSound band will provide authentic German music to dance to and old favorites. Join the Beer Stein holding contest, Beer Pong and lawn games. Enjoy German food -brats, spaetzle, and pretzels by Reverence Catering in the Festival Main Tent’s Beer and Wine Garten. Free admission. kcat.org/oktoberfestlosgatos
21st Amendment Oktoberfest 2022: various times and locations in October. 21st Amendment Brewery is celebrating Oktoberfest 2022 at both their San Francisco Brewpub and San Leandro Taproom venues! Come down to either location to enjoy Polka music, hearty German cuisine, the release of our Oktoberfest Festbier, and more! Free admission. Eventbrite: bayareane.ws/3BzfRgS
San Ramon Historic Foundation Oktoberfest: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 1, Forest Home Farms Historic Park, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. This annual fundraising event will feature a German-themed catered lunch, large field beer and wine service, live music by the Olympia Fields Brass, a sheep herding demonstration, and tours of Forest Homes Historic Park. $20-$40. srhf.org/index.php/oktoberfest/
Shadelands Ranch Oktoberfest: 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 1, Shadelands Ranch Museum, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. It’s time to dust off your steins, dirndls and lederhosen, because the Walnut Creek Historical Society is hosting its first Oktoberfest. The event features an authentic German dinner and dessert, a costume contest and more fun festivities. $55. wchistory.org/events/oktoberfest/
Hawktoberfest: 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 1, Burlingame Masonic Lodge No.400, 145 Park Road, Burlingame. Strap up ye Lederhosn’ and tie up your Dirndls for a wonderful smorgasbord of German food, bottomless beer, wine and bubbly, the good old umpah’ band, drinking games, and a few smashing surprises await you! Did I mention bottomless beers? $95. Eventbrite: bayareane.ws/3wZVTtZ
Clayton Oktoberfest: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1-2, Main Street, Clayton. Experience a Munich-style Oktoberfest in picturesque downtown Clayton with an authentic German biergarten, food and beer, arts and craft vendors, live music and a traveling carnival. Free admission. claytonoktoberfest.com/
Oaktoberfest: 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 2, Dimond District at the intersection of Fruitvale Ave. and MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Oaktoberfest is one of the Bay Area’s premiere craft-beer festivals with more than 200 craft beers and tasty food, plus four stages packed with amazing artists and an entire street dedicated to family-friendly attractions — including a root beer garden. Free admission. oaktoberfest.org/
Walnut Creek Oktoberfest: 12 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15, Civic Park East, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Come enjoy your favorite brews, booze and Bavarian foods at this day-long, family-friendly event that recreates the beloved German fall celebration. Fun for the entire community with live music, dancing, arts & crafts. This year’s Oktoberfest celebration features a variety of gourmet food vendors, a Biergarten with dozens of local craft beers and taprooms, Franconia wine tasting and a Kinder Platz for the Kids. $25-$75. Eventbrite: bayareane.ws/3QnAXnU
Oktoberfest by the Beach: 4 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 15, United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave., San Francisco. Save the date for Oktoberfest By The Beach 2022 at the United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco, featuring music by The Internationals, German beer and tasty food in the large bier hall and outdoor beer garden. Tickets on sale Sept. 1. Eventbrite: bit.ly/3wfNKl9
Campbell Oktoberfest: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15-16, East Campbell Avenue, downtown Campbell. For 27 years, the Campbell Chamber has celebrated all things German during this annual fest. The Biersch Garten will be filled with authentic German beer and food, German music by the Zicke Zacke band, German dancing and stein-holding and best dressed contests. Browse the 100 arts and crafts booths, sample sweet and savory dishes and listen to some of the Bay Area’s best local bands. Free admission. campbelloktoberfest.com/
Piedmont Oktoberfest: 12 to 5 p.m. Oct. 16, Piedmont Park and Community Center. Piedmont’s Oktoberfest is back! Featuring local craft breweries, the Wente Wine Grotto, BBQ sausages, German-style pretzels and music by Polka Geist, the best German oompah band in the Bay Area. $60-$200. https://www.piedmontoktoberfest.com/
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