Oaktoberfest commemorative steins make a toast.
Oaktoberfest
Slap your knees and do a pretzel dance while wearing leather shorts and suspenders — aka lederhosen — as your partner twirls about in a pretty dirndl, because it’s officially Oktoberfest season. Enjoy carnival rides, warm pretzels, beer, brats and gingerbread hearts. Then raise a stein in the biergarten with “einem prosit der gemütlichkeit” — a musical toast to well-being and happiness in the fall harvest time and beyond.
In Germany, the official 2024 Oktoberfest festival happens from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6. The season’s local celebrations kicked off in downtown San Francisco on Sept. 20 with the city’s inaugural Oktoberfest on Front street party. As part of California’s new outdoor entertainment zone series, the event allowed neighboring brick-and-mortar establishments to sell alcoholic beverages for outdoor consumption.
Check out the Chronicle’s guide to this year’s top local Oktoberfest celebrations.
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People celebrate the opening of a past Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich.
Matthias Schrader/Associated Press
Flocktoberfest
Get ready for a final summer frolic with live entertainment, stein lifting contests, dancing, bratwurst and German treats, seasonal Märzen brews, commemorative beer steins (available for purchase) and more. Festive attire is encouraged.
Noon-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22. Free admission. Drake’s Dealership, 2325 Broadway, Oakland; The Barn, 985 Riverfront St., West Sacramento; Drake’s Barrel House, 1933 Davis St., San Leandro. 510-568-2739. www.drinkdrakes.com
Schroeder’s Oktoberfest
Party like it’s 1893 with the oldest Bavarian-style beer hall in the West for its 130th anniversary. As an anchor venue for the Downtown SF sponsored Oktoberfest on Front block party, it’s set to include live DJ sets and music, beer and drink specials, sausages, pretzels, drinking games and more. Festive German attire encouraged.
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3-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Free admission, registration recommended; 21 and older. Schroeder’s, 240 Front St., S.F. 415-421-4778. www.schroederssf.com
Traditional German foods and beers are featured at Flocktoberfest at Drake’s Brewing.
Flocktoberfest
Ludwig’s Oktoberfest
Enjoy a traditional Oktoberfest menu, traditional German party music, a best-dressed contest, a stein-holding competition and more.
4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 20-21. $120 admission per table of 6. Food not included. Ludwig’s German Table, 261 N. Second St., San Jose. www.ludwigsmv.com
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San Francisco Brewing Co. Oktoberfest and Keg Tapping
Fill a commemorative glass boot with German-style beers including a seasonal house-brewed Märzen lager and enjoy Bavarian-inspired foods, live traditional music, costumes and pretzel eating contests.
Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. $35, includes beer glass; reservations recommended. San Francisco Brewing Co, 3150 Polk St., S.F. 415-484-2337. www.sfbrewingco.com
Temescal Oktoberfest
Many of the Oktoberfest events offer commemorative steins like these from Drake’s Brewing.
Drakes Brewing
The event will include a stein-holding competition, German-style festbier served in commemorative glass boots and steins, a German sausage food truck, live DJ sets and more.
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Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Free-$40, reservations recommended; paid admission includes beer stein. Temescal Brewing, 4115 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 510-899-5628. www.temescalbrewing.com
WoodsFest: Treasure Island Oktoberfest Party
The festival event is set to include live music and dancing with Joe Smiell’s German Brass Band, a stein holding contest, German sausages, soft pretzels, seasonal beer releases and more.
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. $25, includes a stein and two drinks; reservations recommended. Woods Island Club, 1 Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island, S.F. www.woodsbeer.com
Live German music and dancing are a big part of Redwood City’s annual Oktoberfest event.
Redwood City Events
Oktoberfest Downtown Redwood City
Redwood City’s Munich-style event is set to feature folk music and dancing with audience participation, yodeling, fun with beer steins and traditional German ambience with a decked-out festival tent serving pretzels and brats, beer and soft drinks. Live entertainment includes Deutscher Musikverein, Alpine Sound, the Internationals and the Golden Gate Bavarian club.
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5-10 p.m. Sept. 20 and 27; Noon-4 p.m. Sept. 21 and 28; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 22 and 29; 5-9 p.m. Sept. 21, 24-26 and 28; 4-8 p.m. Sept. 22 and 29. $10-$30, includes a commemorative stein and one drink ticket; VIP tickets available; reservations recommended. Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. 650-780-7000. www.redwoodcity.org
Walnut Creek Oktoberfest
Get your polka feet popping on the dance floor or chill out in the biergarten during the two-day, family-friendly celebration. The event is set to include live German music, entertainment and dancing, craft beers, food, artisan vendors and a Kinder Platz children’s area.
4-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27; Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Free admission. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekdowntown.com
Monktoberfest
Get a commemorative stein and enjoy German-style beers, live music from Polkageist West, barbecue, German foods, games and more.
1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Free admission. Laughing Monk Brewing, 1439 Egbert Ave., S.F. 415-678-5157. taproom.laughingmonkbrewing.com
The main taproom of Laughing Monk Brewing in the Bayview district of San Francisco.
Jessica Christian/The Chronicle
Enterprise Brewing Oktoberfest
The seasonal party will include seasonal festbiers, pretzels and German treats, live DJ sets with Big Al spinning Deutsche musik. Lederhosen and festive attire encouraged.
1-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Free admission. Enterprise Brewing, 1150 Howard St., S.F. 415-212-8311. www.enterprisebeer.com
Tiger’s Taproom Oktoberfest Celebration
The East Bay venue in partnership with Paulaner German brewery will be tapping kegs of seasonal fest beers, hosting contests with prizes, serving barbecue lunch and ice cream.
2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Free admission, reservations recommended. Tiger’s Taproom, 308 Jackson St., Oakland. 510-817-4994. www.tigers-taproom.squarespace.com
Oktoberfest Midtown Sacramento
Der Biergarten plans to take over the area around 24th and K streets in Sacramento for its annual street party featuring live music and DJ sets, German beer, entertainment, dancing, food and games. Festival dress is encouraged.
3-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. $17.85-$23.18; 21 and over; reservations recommended. Der Biergarten, 2332 K St., Sacramento. 916-346-4572. www.beergardensacramento.com
The stein holding competition at Redwood City’s annual Oktoberfest.
Redwood City Events
Park Chalet Parktoberfest
Enjoy live German music by Alpine Sound and beer in custom steins (available while supplies last) plus traditional German food, Oktoberfest T-shirts, a stein-holding competition and more. Festive attire is encouraged.
5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. $48-$90, reservations recommended. Park Chalet, 1000 Great Highway, S.F. 415-386-8439. www.beachchalet.com
Northern California Renaissance Faire Oktoberfest Weekend
With live entertainment, including music, comedy, juggling, jousting and equine shows, the harvest-themed weekend offers an artisan marketplace, interactive activities, food and ale for purchase. Costumes are encouraged.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 5-6. $35, registration required; under 12 free. Casa de Fruta, 10031 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister. www.norcalrenfaire.com
Clayton Oktoberfest Carnival and Festival
Enjoy folk dancing, live German music, carnival rides, vendors and a large, authentic biergarten tent with imported furnishings, German food and beers at this long-running seasonal celebration.
Carnival only: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; Oktoberfest and carnival: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (carnival open until 10 p.m.) Saturday, Oct. 5; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Free admission. Main Street, downtown Clayton. www.claytonoktoberfest.com
Revelers raise a toast at a past Dimond District Oaktoberfest celebration.
Oaktoberfest
Oaktoberfest
Oakland’s Dimond District will host a street party with Bavarian flair including vendors offering traditional German food, crafts and beers. Live performances on five stages includes Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco, Polkalicious, Grateful Brass, a polka dance battle and dirndl day event with a fashion show and more. Its kinder strasse children’s area will include a root biergarten and family-friendly activities.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Free admission. Fruitvale Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland. 510-992-3377. www.oaktoberfest.org
San Ramon Oktoberfest
A family-friendly Oktoberfest event with beer, live polka music from the Olympia Fields Brass Band and Golden Gate Bavarian Dancers, bratwurst lunch, local beers, history tours and sheep herding demonstrations.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. $20-$40, includes lunch, drinks and souvenir glass; reservations required; under 6 free. Forest Home Farms, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. www.srhf.org/index.php/oktoberfest
Folk dancers at a past Oaktoberfest celebration in Oakland’s Dimond District.
Oaktoberfest
Rocktoberfest
Celebrate fall with a family-friendly festival set to offer German beer, food and music. There will be live children’s entertainment and activities and more.
Noon Saturday, Oct. 5. Almanac Beer Co., 651 W. Tower Ave., Alameda. 415-992-3438. www.almanacbeer.com
Pond Farm Brewing Oktoberfest
Join the festive fun toasting big steins of seasonal beer with German food, live entertainment and more. Festive German attire encouraged.
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; Noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Free admission. Pond Farm Brewing, 1848 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415-524-8709. www.pondfarmbrewing.com
Trumer Brewery Oktoberfest
Get dressed up in your most German costumes and enjoy a family-friendly all day celebration set to include live music from Polkageist West, traditional German food, a Bavarian-style keg tapping, stein lifting contests and plenty of beer.
Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Free admission, reservations recommended. Trumer Taproom, 1404 Fourth St., Berkeley. 510-526-1160. www.trumerusa.com
The popular Alpine Sound Band will perform live at Oktoberfest by the Beach, Park Chalet Oktoberfest and the Redwood City Oktoberfest events this year.
Oaktoberfest
Oktoberfest by the Beach
The cultural center will transform into a bier hall and garden for an event set to offer live music from Alpine Sound, a stein-holding contest and folk dancing by the Golden Gate Bavarian club. German food and drinks available for purchase.
4-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. $25-$35, reservations recommended. United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave., S.F. 415-661-2700. www.irishcentersf.org
Piedmont Oktoberfest
An outdoor, evening festival in the park is set to include seasonal beers and ciders from 27 craft brewers, Bavarian-style soft pretzels and sausages, wine tasting, live German music and more.
4-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. $60-$200, reservations recommended. Piedmont Park, 711 Highland Ave., Piedmont. www.piedmontoktoberfest.com
Octubafest
The conservatory will host a Faculty Artist Series performance showcasing the faculty member Jeffrey Anderson performing festive, seasonal works featuring oom-pah-pah band mainstay, the tuba.
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Sol Joseph Recital Hall, S.F. Conservatory of Music, 5 Oak St., S.F. 415-503-6275. www.sfcm.edu/experience
Turn Verein Sacramento Annual Oktoberfest
Join the 55th annual Sacramento Oktoberfest celebration patterned after the world-famous annual event held in Munich. Enjoy traditional live German music with the Gruber Family Band, and the Alpenmeisters, folkloric dance performances from the Alpentänzer Schuhplattlers, traditional German food and beers, a Bavarian-style keg tapping, dance floor and more.
6-11:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 3-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. $7.18-$30, reservations recommended; children under 6 free. Turn Verein, 3349 J St., Sacramento. www.sacramentoturnverein.com
Live music, local beers, food and a ton of bicycles make up the scene at Fairfax’s annual Biketoberfest event.
Biketoberfest
Biketoberfest Brewfest and Bike Expo
Ride or drive to downtown Fairfax for an afternoon of beer tasting, live music, family-friendly activities, food vendors and bike-related exhibitors. Proceeds benefit Marin County Bicycle Coalition and Access4Bikes.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. $30-$50, includes souvenir glass; reservations recommended. Marin Museum of Bicycling, 1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax. 415-456-3469. www.marinbike.org
Crockett Oktoberfest
Downtown Crockett’s October festival is set to feature live polka music and dance, a yodeling contest, ax throwing, German-style beer, pretzels, sausages, raffle, craft vendors and a children’s area.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. Free admission; all ages. 628 Second Ave., Crockett. 510-722-3041. www.crockettcalifornia.com
Reach Anne Schrager: [email protected]
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