Oktoberfest – the world’s largest Bavarian beer festival – revs up each September and into October. Raise your stein at Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the Twin Cities. Savor the still-warm weather with family-friendly activities, polka dancing, dachshund racing, beard contests and special brews. Everyone can find something they love!

St. Paul Oktoberfest

Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023

St Paul Oktoberfest

St. Paul Oktoberfest held annually on the beautiful grounds of the Germanic-American Institute. Just like the Munich original, they celebrate in September when the weather is better!

With non-stop entertainment and fun for the whole family, it’s a two-day celebration of German food, beer, and culture!

FREE parking at St. Paul College surface lots B, C, and E and in the parking ramp, just a few blocks north on N. Farrington Street, along with street parking in the Summit neighborhood. The full schedule of events is coming soon - watch for live music and dancing, polka bands, dachshund races, stone-lifting competitions, yodeling contests and much more. The event is family-friendly; guests 21+ can buy an alcohol wristband for $5. 

Delano Oktoberfest

Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023

A room full of people dressed in traditional German attire play instruments, sing, and raise glasses of beer for a toast at Delano Oktoberfest

A short drive west of Minneapolis Northwest, you'll find the quaint town of Delano with all its Oktoberfest charm and festivities. At Delano Central Park, sample delicacies from Deutschland Meets Food Truck, get a taste of Lupine Brewing beers and check out the beautiful riverfront park area. Live music includes The Bavarian Musikmeisters and The Brass Barn Polka Band. Festival admission costs $5 for those 21+; the first 500 paid adults receive a complimentary Commemorative Bier Mug! 

Oktoberfest Block Party

Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023

LTD Oktoberfest

Close the street and pitch a party tent for Oktoberfest at LTD Brewing. Test your knowledge of German-themed trivia and gorge on German-themed foods from the mouth-watering Run Tell That BBQ food truck. A bags tournament, stein holding contest, kids games and other activities will be available, too. The block party is free to attend, but wristbands are required for all drinkers. New releases include the 2023 Oktoberfest Marzen & Festbier. They will also release the whiskey barrel aged 2023 R.E.M (Real English Monster)!

 

Renaissance Festival Oktoberfest Weekend

Friday, Sept 29 - Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023

Musicians dressed in Renaissance style clothing perform in front of an old-style building during the Renaissance Festival Oktoberfest Weekend

Immerse yourself in a world of old-school Oktoberfest fun at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival during its Oktoberfest weekend. One of the hottest attractions is the beard competition, where patrons of finely trimmed and manicured beards can enter. A Stein Holding competition, sausage slinging and yodeling competitions will be held one each day of the fest. Additional celebratory contests include the lederhosen and dirndl costume contest, dachshund races, bier pong and a sauerkraut eating contest. 

Twin Cities Oktoberfest

Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023

A large hall filled with people standing or sitting at long tables. Many of the people are holding up their beers to the camera in a toast

Celebrate Twin Cities Oktoberfest in the Historic Progress Center building on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds. This annual event is proud to be entirely local - local drinks, local food, local entertainment, and local merchants.   Together, they will present 20+ different beer/ciders for you to enjoy Utepils Brewing, Lupulin Brewing, Hop & Barrel Brewing Company and Sociable Cider Werks. Look for local food, music, dancing, games and fun at the Historic Progress Center on the Minnesota Fairgrounds.

Share your Oktoberfest adventures with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #WeLoveMNW.