Guide to the Best Oktoberfests in the U.S.

Oktoberfest is an iconic event all around the world, and if you’ve ever gotten to experience the celebration in Munich itself, it's a hard experience to top. You would be mistaken, however, if you thought that Bavaria was the only place to experience all of the beer-soaked, sausage-stuffed revelry that Oktoberfest has to offer. To prove that point, we’ve put together a list of 10 Oktoberfest celebrations right here in the U.S. that will come pretty close to the real thing. We’ve got plenty of bratwurst, beer, and lederhosen to go around.

1. San Francisco, CA

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Celebrate Oktoberfest with a gorgeous view at Oktoberfest by the Bay on San Francisco’s Pier 48. This annual four-day festival is all about Old Country ambiance and the joys of nonstop music, singing, dancing, hot pretzels, and drinking a crisp German-brewed beer. The well-known Chico Bavarian Band, a traditional Bavarian all brass band, is always on the scene to kick off the revelry with upbeat Bavarian tunes that are sure to bring out your festive dance moves. The sunny 70 degree fall weather in San Francisco is perfect for a day full of beer and dancing. The festival runs September 25-27, 2015.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Can’t get enough German food? Enjoy a delicious meal with friends at San Francisco’s popular restaurants Suppenkuche and Walzwerk.
2. Explore Golden Gate Park, the city's massive 1,017 acre oasis, home to the California Academy of Sciences, where visitors can watch penguins play, then walk across the way to the de Young museum, home to impressive collections of fine art from around the world.

2. Cincinnati, OH

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Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest Oktoberfest in the U.S., and every year over 500,000 attendees flock to downtown Cincinnati to celebrate. Vendors serve up soft pretzels, sauerkraut, bratwurst, potato pancakes, and of course, beer. Seven stages are spread throughout the downtown area, and live music really helps to bring the celebration to life. This Oktoberfest also features the world’s largest Chicken Dance, as well as the Gemuetlichkeit Games. Make sure you have a beer in hand as you root for the Madchens (German waitresses) as they race beer steins and compete in a beer barrel roll. Join the revelry September 18-20, 2015.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Head to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the second oldest zoo in the U.S., which is renowned for its protection of endangered species.
2. Stop by Graeter’s Ice Cream, a Cincinnati staple for a delicious sweet treat.

3. Leavenworth, WA

Image Credit: www.leavenworth.org

This small town is nestled into the Cascade Mountains about two hours east of Seattle. The city is modeled after an authentic Bavarian village, and the resemblance to its European counterparts, in everything from the architecture to the scenery, is uncanny. This Oktoberfest celebration is full of live music, including bands straight from the homeland itself, bratwurst, and frothy brews, all taking place in four different tents in downtown. The ambiance is upbeat and festive with parades running through town and a ceremonial keg tapping every Saturday of the festival. Don’t miss Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest the first three weekends in October.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Sign up for the Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon or Half Marathon to work off all the beer and brats, (or work-up your appetite for all the great food).
2. Sample mouthwatering cheeses at the Cheesemonger shop.
3. Stroll through the eclectic shopping along Main Street downtown.

4. La Crosse, WI

Image Credit: lacrossetribune.com

Wisconsin has one of the largest populations of German-Americans in the country, so it’s no wonder that LaCrosse’s annual Oktoberfest Celebration is a can’t-miss event. The weekend kicks off with the Festmaster Ball, and the event keeps rolling with music, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, carnival rides, and parades. Stop by the Lederhosen Luncheon for a traditional Bavarian feast, or dig into cheese curds, deep fried cookie dough, and fried pickles. This Midwestern celebration runs October 1- 4, 2015.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Visit Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe - Spend time exploring the grounds and marvel at the church’s architecture and its giant pipe organ.
2. Dine at Le Chateau, a local restaurant featuring French cuisine and a seasonal menu.

5. Mt. Angel, OR

Image Credit: www.oktoberfest.org

This northwest community, located just 40 miles south of Portland, OR, will make you feel like you arrived to a Bavarian village. This is the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the northwest, and its live music, free rides, street dancing, over 50 food vendors and, of course, traditional biergarten attract over 350,000 people. There’s also a car show, half marathon, and an annual golf tournament; this Oktoberfest really offers something for everyone. Head to Mt. Angel September 17-20, 2015 to join in on the fun.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Visit St. Mary Church, a beautiful Gothic church nestled in the Willamette Valley.
2. If you can’t make it to Mt. Angel for Oktoberfest, you can always visit for the city’s second Bavarian inspired event, Wurstfest, a celebration of all things bratwurst.

6. Las Vegas, NV

Vegas is famous for its ability to throw a great party, and Oktoberfest in Sin City is no different. The Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas was built as an exact replica of the one in Munich, making it a truly authentic and unforgettable Oktoberfest celebration. You can order everything from sausages and pork shanks, to wonderfully authentic German beers (imported directly from Munich). The official Oktoberfest kick-off party this year is September 18, 2015, but the Bavarian party continues year round at this Vegas hot spot.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Explore the gorgeous Red Rock National Park, which offers a 13 mile scenic drive, horseback riding tours, and mountain biking trails.
2. Tour the fascinating The Mob Museum and get a glimpse into the most notorious criminal organization in the U.S.

7. Chicago, IL

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Over the course of September and October, Chicago hosts about 25 individual Oktoberfest celebrations, but the St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest stands out as one of the best in the city. This weekend event takes place around the St. Alphonsus Church and features handmade bratwursts, artfully brewed beer, authentic German bands, and a Kinderfest for the kids. Be sure to check out the festival’s craft beer night, and get tastings from all over Europe and from local brewers. Your ticket comes with a commemorative glass and a pretzel necklace. Join the party September 25-27, 2015.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Grab a beer and hot dog at Wrigley Field and watch the Cub’s take the field during the stadium’s 101st season.
2. Order a slice of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza at Giordano’s; don’t leave until you’ve dug into one of these pies.

8. Denver, CO

Image Credit: denverpost.com

Denver hosts one of the largest Oktoberfests in the U.S., attracting over 350,000 people annually. Every year at the end of September, the Colorado town lights up with all things German. A few things that set Denver apart from the rest include a Stein Hoisting Competition, which challenges contestants to keep a full 1.5 liter stein at shoulder height, and the Keg Bowling National Championships. Competitors hurl 50 liter kegs in an attempt to topple the stacked kegs at the other end of the lane. This mega festival of course offers traditional German bratwurst, pretzels, and beer with award winning musical performances. Join in on Denver’s Bavarian celebration on September 18-20 and 25-27, 2015.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Walk through the Denver Botanical Gardens, which cover more than 24 acres and feature a huge diversity of plants
2. Stop by the Denver Art Museum to check out their collection of Native American art.

9. New Ulm, MN

New Ulm was originally founded by German immigrants, and the small town’s Oktoberfest is one of the best small town celebrations in the country. The event features two stages of live German themed music and entertainment, a German-American Parade, live entertainment at local bars, and craft shows. Take a ride in a horse-drawn trolley, watch the Glockenspiel Clock Tower, which rings 3 times daily with 37 bells and 12 figurines, or visit Schell’s Brewery, a German craft beer manufacturer that’s been in New Ulm since 1860. The festival rotates between 4 venues on October 2 & 3 and October 9 & 10, 2015.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. Enjoy award-winning German food at the local-favorite Veigel’s Kaiserhoff (open year-round!)
2. Pick up some German souvenirs at Domeier’s German Store.

10. Tulsa, OK

Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa is one more great destination to visit if you’re looking for an authentic Bavarian experience. As you would expect, this celebration along the Arkansas River is full of traditional German food, authentic German brews, German bands, and even Bavarian cheesecake! The festival brings out thousands of eager revelers every year, and runs from October 22-25, 2015.

Best Things to do While Visiting for Oktoberfest:

1. If you don’t get enough German eats at the festival, head to Siegi’s Sausage Factory and have a plate of German sausage, sauerkraut, or schnitzel, and then take some packaged meats home for later!
2. Visit the Tulsa Zoo and explore the expansive park and diverse exhibits- a perfect outing for all-ages.

This article was written by Alexis Hartmann and edited by Tripping.com Content Specialist, Lexi Perman.