It’s that time of year again: Oktoberfest. Running through early October, Oktoberfest offers a taste of Bavarian culture, food and, of course, beer. If you can’t make it to Munich for the world’s largest fair, you can still enjoy the festival stateside at one of these Oktoberfest celebrations around the U.S.
Prost!
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
This massive Oktoberfest celebration is the largest in the U.S., and it draws more than half a million people to downtown Cincinnati each year. The festival kicks off with the annual Running of the Weiners, where 100 dachshunds don hot dog bun outfits and race for first prize. Several stages feature German music and dancing during the event, which serves more than a million ounces of beer on average.
Charlotte Oktoberfest, Charlotte, North Carolina
The 15th annual celebration will bring live entertainment, craft beer and lots of food to the NC Music Factory on September 28. The festival is organized by the Carolina BrewMasters, who know a thing or two about good beer. Between tastings, festival goers can try their hands are games like table tennis, corn hole and foosball at the Beerlympic Village.
Oktoberfest Tampa, Tampa, Florida
Oktoberfest takes to the beach in Tampa during the annual Oktoberfest Tampa celebration, held on October 11-13. Entertainment will range from traditional polka to modern bands, and a slew of German beers and wines will be poured all weekend long. Plus, you can enter a variety of competitions, including a keg toss, stein holding, carry the wench and corn hole competitions. If you’re going all weekend, you can even enter the Oktoberfest Tampa Olympiad for the ultimate beer-fueled bragging rights.
Oktoberfest Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Oktoberfest Chicago spoils visitors with homemade bratwursts, German performers, live music and ice cold beer from September 27-29. Friday night kicks off with music from the Bratwurst Brothers and a Craft Beer Night with a special tasting glass and pretzel necklace. Admission is free on Sunday, and there’s also a family-friendly Kinderfest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oktoberfest by the Bay, San Francisco, California
San Francisco’s annual Oktoberfest celebration brings together the city’s German communities for a weekend filled with authentic German music, traditional dancing, hearty Bavarian fare and, of course, plenty of German beer. Thanks to its impressive entertainment lineup, Oktoberfest by the Bay is considered one of the top Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S.
(Main image: ClubTransatlântico)
