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Prost to the best Oktoberfest in the USA, which will get your lederhosen dusted off this year?
Our guide features the most popular best Oktoberfest beer in the USA and lesser-known, more intimate events.
Below, you’ll read about the longest-running festivals, the biggest in terms of footfall, alpine villages, music, food, and, of course, beer!
You may also like our guide to the best places to visit in October in the US, the best things to do in October, and which national parks to visit for fall.
Helen Oktoberfest, Georgia
If there is one Oktoberfest in the US you need to visit, make it Helen Oktoberfest, one of the longest-running festivals in the country.
Hosted by the Helen Festhalle, you can visit most weekends in September and October for an amazing time.
The most notable feature of Helen Oktoberfest is that the town is actually designed as a German-style alpine village.
You can explore throughout the whole town, not just fairgrounds like other Oktoberfests.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Of all the Oktoberfests in the US, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the biggest Oktoberfest in the USA.
More than half a million visitors congregate in Cincinnati every year in September to celebrate; in 2021, there were 700,000 guests.
Samuel Adams presents this Oktoberfest, which features tons of amazing authentic German cuisine.
It is located on 2nd and 3rd Streets, between Elm and Walnut Streets downtown.
Dozens of restaurants, hours of music, and glass after glass of cool beer make this one of the best Oktoberfests in the United States.
Trapp Family Oktoberfest, Stowe, Vermont
One of the newer Oktoberfests in the country, the Trapp Family Oktoberfest in Stowe, VT features a more exclusive, upscale version of the traditional German festival.
Germans settled in Vermont in the late nineteenth century to support Vermont farmers.
This rich history inspires the locally-grown and fresh German food on display at the Von Trapp Brewing Prost for the festival.
Today, the Vermont-based descendants of the von Trapps, a famous Austrian family, host this Oktoberfest.
You’ll love the local and global beers, fresh fare, music, and contests at this yearly festival.
Oktoberfest USA, La Crosse, Wisconsin
The amazing festivities La Crosse put on for their Oktoberfest put them on the map for a 1961 All-American City Award.
If you can believe it, 42% of Wisconsin natives claim some amount of German heritage.
Local industries, small businesses, and hundreds of volunteers bind together yearly in La Crosse, Wisconsin to put on an amazing Oktoberfest for locals and travelers alike.
The chamber of commerce, or the town’s governance, has always sponsored this event, making it hyper-local and originally built for its citizens.
Live music, fresh beer, and events and competitions make this one of the best Oktoberfests in America.
Visiting this October? Don’t miss our Wisconsin in the fall article.
Saint Paul Oktoberfest, Minneapolis
St. Paul Oktoberfest is hosted at the Germanic-American Institute.
There is a packed lineup of cultural activities, such as keg tapping, maypole dancing, and live music.
The two-day celebration includes favorite German food like Gerhard’s bratwurst and BBQ!
Fredericksburg Oktoberfest, Texas
Celebrate Fredericksburg, a town founded by German immigrants in 1846, in their Fredericksburg Oktoberfest activities every year at the beginning of October.
With dozens of authentic German beers, amazing continuous live German music, arts and crafts booths, hours of shopping, and more, you won’t be surprised that Fredericksburg Oktoberfest is among the best US Oktoberfests.
For over 40 years, this Oktoberfest has occurred on the 100 block of W. Main St in Fredericksburg, TX.
Try your hand at a yodeling contest or a lederhosen contest; whatever you choose, you will have an amazing time.
Check out our Texas road trip guide for more on Fredericksburg.
Addison Oktoberfest, Texas
Known as one of the most authentic Oktoberfests outside of Munich, Addison puts on quite the show.
Featuring polka bands, traditional entertainers, multiple stages, interactive games, and the Dachshund Dash.
This award-winning Oktoberfest is aimed at all ages.
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest, Michigan
The Frankenmuth Oktoberfest is the first festival in the US that was officially blessed by the Munich mayor, which means it’s just about as authentic an Oktoberfest as you can find.
Plus, an actual German brewery, Hofbrauhaus, sponsors yearly festivities.
The festival starts on the same day as the official start date of the traditional Munich Oktoberfest, which means you can start celebrating in September!
The star of the weekend is the wiener dog races, which take place on one day during the fest and feature 100-star wiener dogs.
Be sure to explore the festival and make the most of one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the US.
Chicago German-American Oktoberfest, Illinois
Every year in mid-September, Chicago hosts one of the best Oktoberfests in America.
Located in Lincoln Square, at the corner of Lincoln and Western, you’ll love the traditional German hospitality that will greet you in the third-largest city in the U.S.
From authentic German food to traditional German drinks and live music, you’ll be in awe when you visit Oktoberfest Chicago.
You’ll love the classic German dance performances and the silly carnival games in the historic Logan Square in Chicago.
Be sure to arrive on time for the incredible Oktoberfest parade!
You may also like our guide to Chicago in the fall.
Tinley Park, Illinois
Tinley Park Oktoberfest takes place over three days.
The extended weekend event features three days of music, food, and beer vendors.
There is also a family-friendly carnival.
The Oktoberfest team encourages Bavarian dress styles to keep in tradition!
Downers Grove, Illinois
Another Illinois favorite is Downers Grove Oktoberfest.
The two-day festival welcomes adults and kids.
Knackwurst and bratwurst, Bavarian soft pretzels, chicken schnitzel with gravy, roasted corn, German chocolate cake, and apple strudel can be enjoyed during the event.
Previous beers have included Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Paulaner Oktoberfest, Revolution Oktoberfest, Tangled Roots Vermillion River Weiss, Hacker Pschorr, and Miller Lite.
Tulsa Octoberfest, Tulsa, Oklahoma
For one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the US, be sure to visit Tulsa Oktoberfest.
You might not believe it, but thousands of people congregate yearly to celebrate Oktoberfest in Tulsa.
Traditional and authentic Bavarian music, cuisine, and arts and crafts make this event truly special.
With more than 200 taps featuring German and local beers, you won’t want to miss one of the five top Oktoberfests in the USA, according to USA Today.
Plus, this particular Oktoberfest in the US lasts six days instead of a single weekend.
New Ulm Oktoberfest, Minnesota
For 40 years, the New Ulm Oktoberfest in Minnesota has been dazzling locals and travelers alike.
Even though you might not expect it, New Ulm is one of the best places in the US to celebrate Oktoberfest.
The Germanic-American Day Parade steals the show every year, with dozens of floats and local businesses showing their support.
Plus, Oktoberfest activities take place all over town, making this a city-wide Oktoberfest celebration!
Be sure to check out the full schedule on their official website.
Denver Oktoberfest, Colorado
Over the course of two weekends, Denver, Colorado, transforms into one of the top Oktoberfests in the USA.
Located at Larimer and 21st in the Ballpark District, you’ll love this rowdy display of German heritage pride.
Keg bowling, stein drinking, live music, and silly games and competitions make this festival one of the best in America.
Elevate your experience with a VIP ticket, which includes All You Can Eat and Drink and so much more!
You won’t want to miss the exclusive beer and wine offerings, the private bathrooms, and a special Sunday Boozy Brunch.
Four Peaks Oktoberfest, Arizona
If you’re looking for the best Oktoberfest songs in the US, make sure you visit Four Peaks Oktoberfest in Arizona for amazing polka music all weekend long.
The best part of Four Peaks Oktoberfest is that it is a fundraiser for an incredible international exchange program.
Ticket funds go towards hosting international students in Four Peaks, and they fund the travel expenses for them to travel abroad.
This incredible cause makes the festival that much more amazing!
You’ll love this traditional German festival; but if your family gets bored, they’ll certainly appreciate the carnival full of games and rides.
You will have to pay for an admission ticket, but with your entry, you receive amazing perks and can fund an international trip for students!
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Sierra Vista also puts on an Oktoberfest event in Arizona.
The two-day festival is suitable for all ages.
The lineup includes Der Biergarten and Sun Valley Rides Carnival.
Live music will be played at the main tent and on the main stage.
Mount Angel Oktoberfest, Oregon
If you’re looking for a truly authentic Oktoberfest experience, travel to Mt Angel, a town founded by Germans.
Mt Angel Oktoberfest attracts more than 300,000 visitors yearly, earning it the title of one of the largest Oktoberfests in the US.
You’ll love the dozens of food stands, traditional German arts and crafts, authentic German architecture, races and competitions, and so much more.
Plus, most events at Oktoberfest are free!
Check out our guide to Oregon in the fall, too.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, Southern California
If you don’t like the pressure of having all the Oktoberfest fun in a single weekend, visit Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest in southern California.
For almost ten consecutive weekends in September and October, you can enjoy the magic and festivities of Oktoberfest in southern California.
Running until November, you can choose to stop by on one weekend or a few!
Both German and German-American bands share the musical stage to provide you with nonstop festive tunes to dance, eat, and drink.
Order tickets and check availability on their ticketing website.
For more on California in the fall, see here.
Alpine Village Oktoberfest, California
One more amazing California Oktoberfest: Alpine Village Oktoberfest is an incredible and fun-packed experience you can’t miss this fall.
Alpine Village puts in so much effort to make it a truly authentic experience, which means you are in the right hands when you visit this town!
Traditionally built as a Bavarian market, you’ll love exploring the shops and restaurants during Oktoberbest.
The best part of Alpine Village Oktoberfest is that it is located very close to the beaches; take a quick beach trip once you’ve had all the fun you can at the festival.
Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Washington
One of the most classic Oktoberfests in the US, Leavenworth Oktoberfest focuses on the best bratwursts and brews.
Usually taking place over three separate weekends, you can explore two full venues with live music, fresh food, and some of the best Oktoberfest beers in the US.
This festival has been running for just about a quarter century, and it takes extra effort to import only the best German beers every year.
Leavenworth is one of the best places to visit in the US in December for its alpine-style architecture, which won’t disappoint for Oktoberfest!
Check out our Washington bucket list, too.
The Mt. Angel Oktoberfest was started in 1966, making 2024 the 58th year — that’s four more than the one in Helen, GA.
Thanks for your info, Timothy. Hope you enjoy one of the events when they come round in October.