Sure, we may be thousands of miles away from Munich. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get our Oktoberfest celebration on.
Many of the Milwaukee area’s Oktoberfests feature German food, games, live music and, of course, plenty of beer. Prost!
Here are more than 21 going on around here in September and October. Be sure to visit each fest’s website for detailed schedules and more information.
If you have a Milwaukee-area Oktoberfest or know of one that isn’t on this list yet, let me know.
What to expect: Milwaukee’s Original Oktoberfest at The Bavarian Bierhaus will feature German cuisine, beer and festival foods including Spanferkel, Roll Braten and rotisserie chicken, according to a news release from the Welcome to Glendale: Convention, Visitor, and Business Association.
Activities will include hammerschlagen, polka dancing and more. Kids can play carnival games and win prizes in a midway. There will be live music from bands such as Altekameraden, Alpine Blast Trio and Biermen. And if you have a furry friend you want to bring with, friendly leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds all season long, the news release said.
The season will kick off with the annual free keg tapping at 6 p.m. Sept. 2. Attendees can “grab a stein and get in line” for free Oktoberfest beer while supplies last, per the news release.
Admission: Free on Thursdays and Sundays, $5 on Fridays and $10 on Saturdays. If guests download the Bavarian Bierhaus Mobile App, they get $5 off their ticket price. General admission tickets are available at the door.
There are 100 tables under a pavilion that require a reservation on Fridays and Saturdays. These tables — which cost $30 on Fridays and $35 on Saturdays — can be reserved online through Eventbrite, a news release said.
The more than 200 picnic tables that are scattered throughout the grounds — and not under cover — are first come, first serve.
Where: Heidelberg Park at the Bavarian Bierhaus, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale
When: Open from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays from Sept. 2 to Oct. 2.
More info: thebavarianbierhaus.com/oktoberfest-info
What to expect: “Oktoberfest is a long-held tradition in the German Community, one our club is proud to present year after year,” The Schwabenhof’s website said. There will be German beers in the biergarten, authentic German cuisine, live music from several bands throughout the weekend and performances from multiple dance groups.
A keg tapping and opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 23 and a performance by Spielmannszug MKE Alte Kameraden will be at 7p.m. Schnapps und Tanz Band will perform at 6 p.m. Sept. 24.
Admission: Free
Where: The Schwabenhof, N56 W14750 Silver Spring Drive, Menomonee Falls
When: 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 23 and 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 24
More info: theschwabenhof.com/events.html
What to expect: Germantown Hunsrucker Oktoberfest, presented by the Germantown Historical Society, will have live music, dance performances, a Sept. 24 Dheinsville Dachshund Dash that benefits the Washington County Humane Society, and a Sept. 25 car show featuring the The Mercedes-Benz Club of America Wis. Section, according to the historical society’s website.
Admission: Free
Early bird registration for dogs entering the Dachshund Dash costs $5, plus a $1.94 fee. The early bird pricing ends on Sept. 10. Starting Sept. 11, the price for pre-registration will be $10, plus a $2.24 fee.
Where: Dheinsville Historic Park, W18780 Holy Hill Road, Germantown
When: Noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 24 and noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 25
More info: germantownhistoricalsociety.org/oktoberfest. Dachshund Dash details and registration: bit.ly/3q3Nt0R.
What to expect: Hay Daze will feature an Oktoberfest Biergarten featuring Explorium craft beer on tap, pumpkin bowling, hay rides, face painting, food vendors, live music, kids activities and crafts, and more, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Admission: Free
Where: Historic Downtown Greendale
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 24. Kid’s activities run from noon to 4 p.m.
More info: bit.ly/3e3sWa0
What to expect: Discover Brookfield’s Brooktoberfest will feature authentic polka music, local food vendors, face painting, and kid-friendly arts and crafts. Contests will include beer stein-holding, a best dressed competition, hammershlagen and more, according to Discover Brookfield’s website. Dachshund Race(s) start at 2:30 p.m., and a classic car show runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a brat fry put on by Flight to the North Pole. All proceeds from the brat fry will go back to the 2022 Flight, the website said.
Admission: Free
Where: Stefans Soccer, 620 Elizabeth Court, Brookfield
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 1
More info: discoverbrookfield.com/event/brooktoberfest-2022. Dachshund Race(s) registration: bit.ly/3Q2xL0I. Classic car show registration: bit.ly/3cCj1YD.
What to expect: Oktoberfest Celebration at Lakefront Brewery to benefit Arise Milwaukee will feature an evening of beer, German fare and brewery tours, according to Arise Milwaukee’s website.
Admission: $40 per person, $75 for a couple, and $300 for a table of eight. To register, visit arisemke.regfox.com/oktoberfest-2022. Registration can be done through Oct. 14.
Where: Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 16
More info: arisemke.org/oktoberfest2022
What to expect: Swarmm Events’ “Das Boot” Oktoberfest Bar Crawl is back after a two-year hiatus. The “Das Boot Bar Tour” will feature Oktoberfest beers, brats, pretzels, music and more, according to the event’s website. Participants receive an Oktoberfest T-shirt, a lanyard for food and drink specials at each participating bar, and a 32-ounce liter “Das Boot” to drink from.
Admission: Tickets cost $20.50, plus a $3.41 fee. There’s also a group option for a “Team of 10” for $155.00, plus an $11.85 fee. Ticket sales end on Sept. 30. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/3q1Hbz5.
Where: The first stop will be 3rd Street Market Hall from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for shirt and boot pickup, then off to the Old World Third Street entertainment district on King Drive.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 1
More info: bit.ly/3q1Hbz5
What to expect: Waukesha Oktoberfest will feature live music, food, beer and contests, including hammerschlagen, masskrugstemmen and cornhole, according to the Waukesha Pewaukee Convention and Visitor Bureau’s website.
Admission: Free
Where: Frame Park, 1240 Frame Park Drive, Waukesha
When: 5 to 11:00 p.m. Sept. 23 and 1 to 11 p.m. Sept. 24.
More info: visitwaukesha.org/event/2nd-annual-waukesha-oktoberfest/all
What to expect: Presented by Commerce State Bank, Oktoberfest in Cedarburg features German music and entertainment, including Pommersche Tanzdeel Dancers, Tuba Dan, D’Lustig’n Wendlstoana Dancers, Schnapps und Tanz Band, River City Blaskepelle and the Cedarburg Civic Band, according to Cedarburg Festival’s website. There will be a wooden dance floor, and also a live Glockenspiel Show (Cuckoo Clock). The fest’s website said its food menu is “coming soon.”
Admission: Free. Two-hour parking limit is lifted on festival weekends, the website said.
Where: Downtown Historic Cedarburg
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 2
More info: cedarburgfestival.org/oktober-festival
What to expect: The Wauwatosa Historical Society’s Prosit Tosa will feature live music, German food, a special Prosit Tosa Oktoberfest brew from Stock House, German and domestic beers, wine, live polka music, German history and culture displays, and a kid’s area with games and prizes, according to the historical society’s website. German attire is encouraged. New this year: A steinholding competition, a hammerschlagen tournament, and best dirndl and lederhosen contests.
Admission: Sales for Fruhaufsteher (early bird) tickets — which cost $9, plus a $2.18 fee — end on Sept. 12. After that, general admission tickets cost $12, plus a $2.36 fee. People can add on hammerschlagen for free. The stein holding contest’s early bird pricing is $20, plus a $2.85 fee, and includes a stein filled with beer.
Where: The Wauwatosa Historical Society-Kneeland Walker grounds, 7406 Hillcrest Drive, Wauwatosa
When: 1 to 8 p.m. Sept. 17
More info: wauwatosahistoricalsociety.org/calendar-of-events. Tickets and add-ons are available for purchase at bit.ly/3e7QKtj.
What to expect: Elm Grove Oktoberfest at Elm Grove Park will feature food trucks, a beer tent with beer, wine, cider and seltzers, festive music and traditional German games, including Hammerschlagen and Raise Your Pint. A 0.5K Fun Run will start at O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub, 13225 Watertown Plank Road, on Sept. 17.
Admission: Free
Fun Run registration costs $40 for adults and $15 for kids ages 2 to 12. Race proceeds will benefit the Elm Grove Community Foundation, the run’s webpage said. To register, visit elmgrovefoundation.org/0.5k-fun-run.html.
Where: Elm Grove Park, 13600 Juneau Blvd., Elm Grove
Sept. 16, Uptown Automotive Group will be providing a complimentary Oktoberfest shuttle from satellite parking lots to O’Donoghue’s beginning at 1:40 p.m., with pick-ups about every 15 minutes. The satellite parking lots are at Community United Methodist Church, 14700 Watertown Plank Road (pickup SE corner of main parking lot), and Tonawanda Elementary School, 13605 Underwood River Parkway.
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 16 and 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 17. Check in for the Fun Run starts at 2 p.m., with the run beginning at 3:30 p.m.
More info: elmgrovefoundation.org/oktoberfest.html
What to expect: The 12th Annual ERV-toberfest will feature a “boutique beer festival” with 90 seasonal and craft favorites, including over 40 Oktoberfests, along with 50 other beers, ciders and meads “in a wide variety of styles and flavors,” according to the event’s website. There will also be a full German-inspired buffet and live entertainment.
Admission: Advance tickets cost $50, which can be purchased in-person at Erv’s Mug or online through ervsmug.hrpos.heartland.us/menu. Limited to 250 tickets available.
Where: Erv’s Mug, 130 W. Ryan Road, Oak Creek
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 10
More info: bit.ly/3AAUVWe
What to expect: On the Pabst Mansion’s Taste of Oktoberfest guided tour, each floor of the house will feature different German cuisine and drink samples, along with tidbits of Milwaukee’s and the mansion’s German history, according to the venue’s website. Guests will also visit the beer garden, which has imported German beer and live German music.
Admission: $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers
Where: Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
When: Tours run every 20 minutes from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1
More info: pabstmansion.ticketsocket.com/#/event-details/taste-of-oktoberfest
What to expect: Oktoberfest at Delafield Brewhaus will feature award-winning craft beers and authentic German fare, according to the event’s Facebook page. Jeff Winard and his Brewhaus Polka party will be playing live from 4 to 8 p.m. A ceremonial keg tapping will take place around 5:30 p.m.
Where: Delafield Brewhaus, 3832 Hillside Drive, Delafield
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept 10. There will also be food specials from Sept.10-16.
More info: bit.ly/3CPI0lX
What to expect: Ein Kleines Oktoberfest (A Little Oktoberfest) at Sahale Ale Works will feature beer, live music and food, according to the brewery and taproom’s website. Six German-influenced beers will be available, including Luftkuss Oktoberfest, Shot In The Dunkel (Munich Dunkel), Wisconsinade (Sumac Gose), The Graped Crusader: Riesling and two surprise brews. Mel’s Charities will be grilling up brats, hot dogs and burgers from noon to 6 p.m., and will also be giving away a 70-inch Samsung Smart TV. Kenny Brandt will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. and The Squeezettes will perform from 4 to 7 p.m. Jesse Brookstein, author of “A Perfect Pair,” will be onsite from noon to 4 p.m. to explain what landjaeger (a south German specialty) is and offer samples.
Where: 1505 Wisconsin Ave #170, Grafton
When: Noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 1
More info: sahalebeer.com/event-details/ein-kleines-oktoberfest-2022
What to expect: 1840 Brewing’s Oktoberfest will feature an Oktoberfest Lager release, an outdoor beer garden, live music, the hammer/log game, and competitions for charity with prizes, including masskrugstemmen (stein holding), stein racing and pretzel eating, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Where: 1840 Brewing Company, 342 E. Ward St., Milwaukee
When: Noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 17
More info: bit.ly/3KJ2GhE
What to expect: The New Berlin Public Library is hosting an Oktoberfest Rootbier Garden that will feature Sprecher sodas and ice cream for floats, pup cups for furry friends, family crafts and yard games, according to the event’s Facebook page. There will also be a flea market with antiques, crafts, vegetables and more.
Admission: Free
Where: New Berlin Public Library, 15105 W. Library Lane, New Berlin
When: The flea market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Rootbier Garden runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct 1.
More info: bit.ly/3Qih7KM
What to expect: Milwaukee Burger Company in Franklin will be tapping four local Oktoberfest beers and offering German food specials, $10 steins, hammerschlagen, and a stein-hoisting competition, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Where: 6421 S. 27th Street, Franklin
When: Specials run all day long, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 29. The stein-hoisting competition starts at 7 p.m.
More info: bit.ly/3R8IoAk
What to expect: Artisans, live music, food and more, according to the event’s website.
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes Milwaukee, 3722 S. 58th St., Milwaukee
When: Oct. 7-9
More information: ololmke.org/oktoberfest/
What to expect: The 5th Annual Oktoberfest of Greater Racine, presented by Lakefront Brewery, will feature over 24 craft beers on tap, food trucks, spanferkel (pig roast), stein hoisting, hammerschlagen, yard games and live music, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Admission: Free
Where: Franksville Craft Beer Garden at Caledonia-Mt.Pleasant Joint Memorial Park, 9614 Northwestern Ave., Franksville
When: Sept. 22-25
More info: bit.ly/3q4JOQA
What to expect: The Oktoberfest Pop-up Biergarten at Milaeger’s will be a traditional German-style Biergarten with Hofbrau Bier, food, music, and authentic Biergarten tables and benches, according to the event’s Facebook page. There will be games, stein-hoisting contests, children’s activities and live music. There will be a pig roast on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Admission: Free. Advanced VIP pig roast tickets go on sale Sept. 5 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3AHqr55.
Where: Milaeger’s, 4838 Douglas Ave., Racine
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7 and noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 8, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 9
More info: milaegers.com/info/biergarten2022 and bit.ly/3RkXVwK
What to expect: Elkhorn Oktoberfest will feature German cuisine from a variety of food vendors, craft and commercial vendors, an “All Around Town Beer/Wine Tasting,” live music, an Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk, and an Annual Classic Car Show, according to the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Center’s website.
Where: Downtown Elkhorn
When: Oct. 15
More info: elkhornchamber.com/oktoberfest
What to expect: On all three days of Oktoberfest at The Biergarten Kenosha, there will be hot pretzels and sausages, and best-dressed (drindl, lederhosen and pet costume) contests.
On Sept. 16, there will be feature food trucks at 4 p.m., and live country music from Kyle Jennings at 6 p.m.
On Sept. 17, there will be a ceremonial keg tapping and food trucks at 1 p.m., prize giveaways from 2 to 5 p.m., stein-hoisting and pretzel-eating competitions, wiener races, and a performance from New Orleans-style jazz band Big Style Brass Band at 6 p.m.
On Sept. 18, there will be food trucks at 1 p.m., and live music from The Brothers Quinn at 3 p.m.
Admission: Free. Purchases must be made with cash, the website said. There will be two ATMs onsite, if needed.
Where: The Petrifying Springs Biergarten, 5555 7th Street, Kenosha, located across from the Petrifying Springs Dog Park
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16, Noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 17 and noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 18
More info: petsbiergarten.com/events/oktoberfest-2022
Contact Hannah Kirby at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby.
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