Top Oktoberfest Celebrations Worldwide: From Munich to Brazil

Oktoberfest, the lively beer festival that originated in Bavaria, is arguably Germany's most significant cultural contribution. It seems like every charming town hosts its own version, featuring lively oompah bands, sizzling bratwurst on the grill, and a festive beer hall atmosphere that brings to mind Munich, the birthplace of it all. The original festival dates back to the royal wedding in October 1810 between Bavarian crown prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, which featured horse races in Theresienwiese (Therese's Meadow). The following year, the event included an agricultural fair, and by the end of the decade, beer made its grand debut. Over time, Oktoberfest has evolved into one of the globe's premier festivals, drawing around 7.2 million revelers to Munich’s bustling beer tents last year.

What dates does Oktoberfest take place?

Contrary to its name, Munich’s Oktoberfest typically kicks off in mid-September, lasting about 16 days and concluding on the first Sunday of October. Each global location adds its unique flair to the celebration, ranging from simple weekend street fairs to extensive autumn festivals honoring all things German. From the Texas Hill Country to Brazil’s ‘Tropical Germany’ in Blumenau, these seven festivals inspire us to don our dirndls and lederhosen while getting ready to sing along to those classic German drinking tunes. Cheers!

Munich, Germany

• Ideal for: traditional brews crafted within the city, amusement rides
• 2024 dates: September 21–October 6

The original Oktoberfest continues to thrive on the expansive 100-acre Theresienwiese, now a vibrant festival space overlooked by the towering 60-foot Bavaria statue, representing the homeland. Food vendors tempt visitors with Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle) and spätzle (dumplings), alongside amusement park rides ranging from the classic Wellenflug (swing carousel) to cutting-edge VR roller coasters. Beer halls serve up Märzen lager and lighter Festbier, brewed exclusively by the city’s six major breweries: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. Each of the over thirty beer tents has its own unique atmosphere, creating a choose-your-own-adventure experience. Notable venues include the family-friendly Augustiner Festhalle, where beer flows from 200-liter Hirschen (wooden barrels); the Armbrustschützenzelt, home to the German Crossbow Championships since 1935; and Fischer-Vroni, famous for its Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick) and Pink Monday, a celebration welcoming the LGBTQ+ community.

This stylish hotel is situated right across from the western entrance to the festival grounds, featuring Augustiner beer bottles integrated into its sleek minimalist design. It earns bonus points for having the most stylish bunk rooms we’ve ever encountered—ideal for families or groups of friends.

Fredericksburg, Texas

• Ideal for: family-friendly competitions, oompah and folk music
• 2024 dates: October 4–6

The German heritage runs deep in Texas Hill Country, settled by Central European immigrants in the 1840s, leading to the existence of a now-endangered local dialect known as Texas German. Unsurprisingly, in towns near Austin and San Antonio, brats and beer rival barbecue in popularity—which, incidentally, also has roots in 19th-century Czech and German meat-smoking traditions. For the ultimate Oktoberfest experience, visit Fredericksburg, located about 75 miles west of Austin, where festivities often feature OkTubaFest, family dirndl and lederhosen contests, waltzing competitions, and multiple stages of oompah and folk music performed by groups like Yodel Blitz and The Tubameisters. Beer enthusiasts can also meet brewmeisters from local breweries such as Alstadt and Spoetzl, home to the beloved Shiner beers.

This elegant bed-and-breakfast occupies a 19th-century tobacco barn along with several restored cottages. For a true seasonal experience, consider staying in the Basse House, an 1871 German homesteader cabin, where one suite features a historic painted theater backdrop.

Blumenau, Brazil

• Ideal for: innovative dishes beyond bratwurst, fun photo opportunities with quirky mascots
• 2024 dates: October 9–27

Nestled in the far southern part of Brazil, Blumenau was established in 1850 by German pharmacist Hermann Bruno Otto Blumenau. It retains such a strong cultural heritage that one of its nicknames is Alemanha Tropical, or “Tropical Germany.” The city’s extravagant Oktoberfest celebration is one of the largest in the world, drawing over 600,000 visitors in 2022 with its pageants, rock concerts, parades, and massive beer tent. The atmosphere is almost theme park-like, featuring cartoon mascots like Vovó (Grandma) and Vovô (Grandpa) Chopão, alongside Rollmops, an anthropomorphized pickled herring who oversees an eating contest featuring his own kind. Additionally, traditional German dishes are given a local twist, with offerings such as Flammkuchen (Alsatian pizza) topped with gorgonzola and pineapple, spätzle served with local linguiça sausage, and baked potatoes filled with hearts of palm and gooey cheese.

The hillside hotel overlooks the Itajaí-Açu River and the Instagram-worthy “Ich [Heart] Blumenau” sign. The on-site eatery, Botic, embraces Central European cuisine with a special fondue menu.

Cincinnati, Ohio

• Ideal for: exciting eating competitions, a dachshund race
• 2024 dates: September 19–22

Everything is grander at the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, drawing over 700,000 attendees to downtown Fifth Street each year, making it the largest in the country. To satisfy the appetites of these festival-goers, vendors serve approximately 64,000 sauerkraut balls, 80,500 bratwurst, 24,640 potato pancakes, and nearly a ton of German potato salad, among other Central European treats. Unsurprisingly, encased meats play a central role in two of the weekend’s most celebrated events: the Running of the Wieners, where costumed dachshunds dash to victory, and the world bratwurst-eating championship. In 2022, Massachusetts high-school teacher Geoff Esper set a new world record, outpacing Coney Island’s Joey “Jaws” Chestnut by devouring 76 brats in just 10 minutes.

The modern hotel, filled with contemporary art, occupies the historic Hotel Metropole and is only a five-minute stroll from Fifth Street.

Leavenworth, Washington

• Ideal for: exciting activities for the Kinder (kids), distinctive local microbrews
• 2024 dates: October 4–5, 11–12, and 18–19

In the 1960s, this town in the Cascade Mountains transformed rapidly through Bavarianization, constructing timber-framed buildings to blend with the alpine scenery. When autumn arrives, Leavenworth embraces a full season of its Oktoberfest, featuring three weekends of unique merchandise (don’t miss the “Holy Schnitzel!” nutcracker T-shirt) and live performances from bands like The Hosen Ones. Grab a souvenir stein to taste a variety of beers, including German imports and local craft selections like Doberman Schwarzbier from Doghaus Brewery and Alpenhaze IPA from Icicle Brewing Company, while your kids enjoy the bouncy obstacle course and sip frosty root beer at the garden bar in the expansive 15,000-square-foot Kinderplatz.

The lodge boasts a painted stucco facade adorned with vibrant flower boxes, and its inviting pub offers a selection of local microbrews.

Kitchener–Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

• Ideal for: apparel you’ll actually want to wear, live music spanning multiple genres
• 2024 dates: September 27–October 19

Ziggy zaggy, ziggy zaggy, oi oi oi, eh? Ontario’s twin cities proudly host Canada’s largest German festival, the Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest, blending classic polka-dancing, keg-tapping, and beer enjoyment with an impressively varied music lineup. Past and future acts have included country rockers The Road Hammers, ’90s alt-rock band Finger Eleven, and singer-songwriter David Wilcox. Don’t miss the chance for a photo with the cuddly mascots Tante Frieda and Onkel Hans, and make sure to explore the cleverly designed merchandise that features retro logos, vintage black-and-white images, and whimsical slogans. Last year's highlights included a “Milk Drunk” onesie adorned with a sloshing stein of, um, moo brew.

The Walper Hotel is housed in a 130-year-old heritage building and boasts a delightful cocktail-and-pintxo bar, the Lokal, perfect for pre- or post-festival gatherings.

Helen, Georgia

• Perfect for: small-town charm (marching bands, classic cars), endless weeks of fun
• 2024 dates: September 5–8, 12–15, 19–22, and September 26 through October 27

Imagine Helen as the Blue Ridge Mountains’ charming counterpart to Leavenworth—a whimsical tourist destination crafted to make you feel like you’re wandering through the cobblestone streets of Bamberg or Lindau. This year marks the 54th edition of the annual Oktoberfest, celebrated in the Festhalle on the aptly named Edelweiss Strasse. Festivities commence on September weekends and continue nightly throughout October, kicking off with a parade featuring marching bands and classic cars, followed by a ceremonial keg-tapping. Your time is best spent enjoying German beer and savoring the best of the wurst—the menu typically includes a variety of sausages, like weisswurst (“white sausage,” made from veal and pork back bacon) and knockwurst (heavily spiced with garlic and seasonings).

The Helendorf River Inn boasts views of the Chattahoochee and showcases an Alpine-inspired design reminiscent of Bavaria's half-timbered structures.

This article was first published in 2023 and was last updated on August 15, 2024, with the latest information.