It’s that time of the year again: steins of beer, lederhosen, polka, accordions, oompah dancing and more steins of beer. We’re talking, of course, about the 186th annual Oktoberfest — the world-famous 16-day (most of which is in September, strangely), Bavarian folk festival.
However, just because you aren’t just one of the 6 million people headed to Munich to consume one of the 7.7 million liters of beer doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate.
Sure, Los Angeles is about 6,000 miles away geographically (and maybe even further culturally) but what’s stopping us from importing a Bavarian holiday for a little party of our own? Aferall, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve adopted a foreign holiday for an excuse to drink (St. Patty’s Day, Cinco De Mayo, etc.).
So Angelenos, keep reading to see these six great ways to celebrate Oktoberfest, right here in sunny Southern California. Then get ready to clink your steins to a festival that’ll have you drinking beer and yodeling like a Bavarian. Prost!
1 | Alpine Village
Dates: Oct. 4 – Oct 27
Hosting Oktoberfest in Los Angeles Since 1968, Alpine Village is the home of the oldest Oktoberfest celebration in the region.
For their 51st anniversary event, they are hosting “Throwback Oktoberfest” in a “bier hall” style celebration. Expect beer imported directly from Munich, pork schnitzel sandwiches, German sausages, and baked goods, and all the Bavarian singing and dancing you could imagine.
Got kids? No worries. Sundays are family days and celebrate special various groups or activities, including German-American heritage. General Admission tickets are pre-sold online and also available at the door. Insider tip: If you buy your tickets online, you can bypass the door sales.
Lederhosen by Old World – CC BY
2 | Oktoberfest at Fairplex
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 5 – Oct. 20
You’re not in Pomona anymore. At least that’s how It’ll feel as you walk through the gates of the Fairplex, home of the L.A. County Fair, for this Oktoberfest event. In celebration of Bavarian culture and a tip of the hat to the world’s largest beer festival, this Oktoberfest provides all the excitement and German tradition that Los Angeles can offer.
Brimming with “Bavarian music, beer, authentic German food, beer, chicken dance, beer, games and prizes, and beer” this event is sure to have all the Oktoberfest essentials covered. It is 21 and over and tickets are $10 with a $12 fee to park.
3 | Old World Oktoberfest Huntington Beach
Dates: Sept. 8th – Nov. 3rd
Self-proclaimed as “Orange County’s biggest party since 1977,” the Old World Oktoberfest promises authentic German Food (voted “Best Bratwurst” in California), imported German Beers, German Bands straight from Germany, and other festivities, competitions, games & more.
Entry is free if you go on a Wednesday or Thursday, when festivities run from 6:30 to 10:30pm. On Friday and Saturday, the party keeps going until 1:30am and a $10 to $15 cover is in effect. Sundays are family days, focused on the Kinderfest, with admission for $3 to $10 (children under the age of five are free).
4 | Wirtshaus
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 21 – Oct. 26th
Wirtshaus is a modern German restaurant and pub, specializing in authentic German food and freshly tapped beer since 2011. Authenticity is the key at the Wirtshaus, and their menu includes all types of traditional German cuisine — various versions of schnitzel, sausages, potato pancakes, currywurst and of course, pretzels.
Needless to say, Oktoberfest is one of their premier events. So pop over to this Fairfax-area Biergarten every Friday and Saturday night this month for some festivities with music, stein-holding contests (with free trips to Vegas for winners) and other sorts of free giveaways.
5 | Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Dates: Sept. 7 – Nov. 2
Need an excuse to get out of town? Well, now you have one. Head out to the San Bernardino mountains for the 49th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. This quaint celebration, which has always been based on the lore of the world’s original Oktoberfest, has become world renown for its own traditions and old-world ambiance, celebrating friends, family and good times.
Enjoy nice views as you feast on Brats and Knockwursts direct from the German butcher, and enjoy the very same beers poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest for more than 150 years!
The schedule includes numerous bands—four flown straight from Germany—and other performances, and some stein carrying contests that will determine this year’s Oktoberfest Queen.
6 | Wurstkuche in Venice
Dates: Saturdays, Oct. 6-Oct. 27
Head over to Wurstküche’s Venice location every Saturday in October to find German beer filling up steins, freshly cooked giant pretzels and exotic sausages like the rattlesnake and rabbit sausage, or their duck and bacon option (Wurstküche does bill themselves as “Purveyors of fine sausages, after all).
And at this Oktoberfest celebration, the music will match the meat. That’s right. It doesn’t get much better than the Munich Boom-Steiners — California’s premier Bavarian folk, schlager & Oktoberfest band — who will be performing for four consecutive weekends.
Tickets come with a commemorative Wurstküche 1L stein full of Ayinger Oktoberfest and entry into stein holding and yodeling competitions.
Alright folks, better lace up your dirndls and dust off your ole’ lederhosens because it’s about to get very Bavarian in Greater LA.
