Oktoberfest season is back, bringing German food, games, music, dancing, and plenty of oompah fun! While it’s one of Germany’s biggest annual traditions, Central Texas has its own rich German heritage, and lots of places to celebrate close to home. From lively festivals to kid-friendly activities (and, yes, great beer for the grown-ups), here’s where to enjoy Oktoberfest around Austin this year.

Oktoberfest Around Austin

— Oktoberfest @ Vista Brewing
Sept. 26
Head to the Hill Country for Vista Brewing’s family-friendly Oktoberfest with German-inspired food and brews, games, and live music. Kids can make pretzel necklaces while supplies last and join the kids’ steinholding competition, which gets an upgrade this year with pint-sized boot mugs. There’s also a pretzel toss, Hammerschlagen, and men’s and women’s steinholding competitions, followed by live music from 2 – 4 pm. Admission is free, and lederhosen and dirndls are encouraged!  RSVP and get more info here.

— Oktoberfest @ Meanwhile Brewing
Sept. 25-27
Meanwhile Brewing goes big for Oktoberfest with a three-day celebration featuring Oktoberfest and Märzen lagers, live polka and brass bands, German-inspired food specials, and plenty of games. Expect stein hoisting for all ages, feats of strength, an inflatable pretzel toss, and more throughout the weekend. Food trucks including Distant Relatives, Pueblo Viejo, Side Eye Pie, and Songbird will also have special Oktoberfest dishes on the menu. The fun runs Sept. 25–27. RSVP and get more info here.

— Oktoberfest Fredericksburg @ Marktplatz
Oct. 2-4
Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg is back October 2-4 at Marktplatz in the heart of downtown. This Hill Country favorite celebrates German heritage with oompah music, arts and crafts, shopping, and delicious food, plus more than 60 varieties of beer and Texas wine for grown-ups. Families will love the Kinderpark with games and activities for kids, making it a fun weekend for all ages. One-day tickets are $15 for adults, $1 for ages 7–12, and free for children six and under. Get more info here.

— Austin Oktoberfest @ German Texas Heritage Association
Oct. 10, 11 am – 7 pm 
The German Texas Heritage Association hosts its Oktoberfest celebration at the German Free School: a hidden, historical gem in Austin with terraced gardens to enjoy an afternoon of all things German and Gemütlichkeit. This family-friendly event offers a lot of kids’ activities, plus great music, food, dancing, and more. Tickets are $20 per person. Kids under 12 are free. Get more info here.

— Deutschen Pfest @ Pfluger Park
Oct. 16-17
Pflugerville’s most popular Pfestival, the Deutschen Pfest is scheduled once again to take place in Pfluger Park. This year’s event includes live music, food, beer, shopping, and the Pfun Run and Community Pfair. Get more info and tickets here.

— Wurstfest
Nov. 6-15
While this is not an Oktoberfest event, we can’t miss the opportunity to tell you to save the date for this year’s Wurstfest in New Braunfels. The festival always starts the first Friday of November and is a celebration of German culture with lots of food, drinks, a carnival, and Alpine and Bavarian-style entertainment. Get more info and tickets here.

For even more German-Texas fun, you can also check out:

• Banger’s 
• Sholz Garden
• Walburg German Restaurant (Walburg, TX)
• Krause’s Cafe (New Braunfels, TX)
• Alpine Haus (New Braunfels, TX)
• Auslander Restaurant (Fredericksburg, TX)
• Altstadtz Brewing & Beirgarten (Fredericksburg, TX)
• Der Lindenbaum (Fredericksburg, TX)

For more festive fun, check out Do512’s roundup of all things Oktoberfest in Austin!