This Saturday, September 16th, it’s official: It’s Oktoberfest Time!
At 12 noon (CET), Munich’s mayor will tap the first Oktoberfest-beer-barrel and exclaim “O’zapft is” ! And the ‘world’s largest beer festival’ can begin!
But you don’t have to fly to Munich to get into Oktoberfest mood. We have quite a few choices to celebrate Oktoberfest here in California, too. If you live in Northern California or Southern California, you for sure will find some Oktoberfest festivity even close by your neighborhood.
We highlighted a few ‘Oktoberfests’, that we thought might peak your interest. Check them out below!
Souther California
PHOENIX CLUB – Anaheim SoCal
The Phoenix Club in Anaheim features Orange County’s oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest. OKTOBERFEST 2017 will take place every weekend Sept 22-Oct 29!
Join the party and enjoy authentic delicious German food (including Schweinshaxen and bread dumpling), Great selection of Imported German beer on tap, Polkas and Prosts in our 12,000 sq. ft. Festzelt and an acre of Biergarten. “We will have you Partying like a German!”
Traditional bands play every day! Our Schuhplattler perform Saturdays and Sundays. The special events on the first weekend include the Official Keg Tapping Ceremony and the Opening Parade.
SHOOTING GALLERY: Our Phoenix Schützen (traditional air rifle club) will have their rifle range open to the public on Saturdays (6:00 PM) and Sundays (1:00 PM) Oct. 1 – Oct 29.
PONY RIDES: Our Neighbors at the Del Rio Stables and Equestrian Center will host $5.00 Pony Rides for the kids all Sundays in October.·
Choo-Choo: Sundays are family days, free choo-choo rides noon to 4pm, free balloon artist one noon to 4pm
ADMISSION: $10 -Adults on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Phoenix Club members with card $5 – under 18 enter FREE!
WHEN: Sept. 22 – Oct 29, 2017
WHERE: 1340 S. Sanderson Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806
Special Music Entertainment: Various bands will perform. The local band The Express Band, Alt Rosenheim Schuhplattler and Goassischalzer from Bavaria, Germany; Musikapelle Rottenbuch from Bavaria, Germany and Odenwäder Dirndljaeger from Bavaria, Germany
Oktoberfest at JEANETTE’s EDELWEISS in Newbury Park
Jeanette’s Edelweiss is starting Oktoberfest the original way. Like in Munich also here Oktoberfest is rung in by the official tapping of the first beer keg. Instead of the mayor of Munich it will be the Consul General of Germany, Joerg Neumann, who will perform the traditional ceremony on Saturday, September 16 at 4pm.
Oktoberfest Season at Jeanette’s Edelweiss will be from 9/16/17 – 10/29/17 and Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band will play polka and authentic German Oktoberfest tunes. Live Oktoberfest Tunes and International Music with Festmeister Hans & Accordion Diva Gigi will be part of it as well. Prepare yourself for lot’s of dancing, fun & Oktoberfest games and the following seasonal events:
Every FRI & SAT – 5 pm: Munich style Oktoberfest Party with Fun, Games and Live Music by the Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band featuring Festmeister Hans.
Every Sunday 4 pm: Family Fun Oktoberfest. Kids Oktoberfest with Gigi & Festmeister Hans. Games & Fun for the family.
Every Thursday 5 pm: Oktoberfest Party!
Besides Oktoberfest entertainment be ready for a real German culinary feast. Jeanette’s Edelweiss features authentic German cuisines by renowned German Chef Rocco Suckert from Cologne, Germany. Everything from German brats, Schnitzel, Sauberbraten, Ham Hocks, Rouladen and of course Pretzels and Gingerbread hearts can be yours! And you’ll have the choice of 12 imported German beers on draft.
WHEN: Sept.16 – Oct. 29, 2017
WHERE: 2160A Newbury Road, Newbury Park
Admission: FREE – But Advanced Reservations are Recommended! Reserve your table: info@JeanettesEdelweiss.com (or 805-498-7300).
EL CAJON Oktoberfest – San Diego County’s oldest and most traditional Oktoberfest
The German American Societies of San Diego invite to their yearly traditional Oktoberfest! Two weekends full of authentic foods and original entertainment.
Come and enjoy authentic German food, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, pretzels, and a variety of German pastries. There will be a great selection of German beers and liquors, and soft drinks and water, to enjoy with your friends and family!
Listen to the original group “The Guggenbach-Buam”, who came all the way out from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. These talented, entertaining musicians dress in traditional clothing, and play a variety of German music, just as you would hear in the beer gardens in Bavaria. Enjoy songs such as the chicken dance, polkas and waltzes, and all the famous beer-drinking tunes.
Watch traditional folk dancing performances, compete in our numerous games and contests, check out vendor and craft booths, and treat your kids to their own Kids’ Zone! Bring your family and friends to El Cajon and experience a real German Oktoberfest!
Admission: $10 Friday and Saturdays; $5 Sundays.
WHEN: Sept. 29, 30 and October 1 & October 6, 7 and 8, 2017
WHERE: German American Societies, 1017 S. Mollison Avenue, El Cajon, 92020
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
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Oktoberfest at ESTHER’s GERMAN BAKERY in Palo Alto
Esther’s German Bakery is celebrating its 10th annual Oktoberfest !
Oktoberfest – Kick off is around noon on Saturday, September 30th.
Outside on the front patio you’ll see the food tent serving the Oktoberfest menu and plenty of tables for trying the seasonal Oktoberfest beers. If you like more shade, check out our ‘Biergarten’ in the back.
For entertainment Esther’s German Bakery will have a favorite local German band playing festival songs from 3:00 – 8:00pm. Traditional German beer games are on the plan all night long. Come and meet some neighbors and celebrate Oktoberfest the traditional way!
On Sunday, in case you missed Saturday’s main event, the bakery will be hosting their Hangover Brunch. Both the front patio and back biergarten will be open. It’ll be back to the daily menu then, but you’ll still have plenty of seasonal beer choices and tasty German treats, and German music will of course welcome you inside. Make it an Oktoberfest weekend!!!
WHEN: Oktoberfest Day is on Saturday Sept.30 with the ‘Hangover Brunch’ following Oct. 1, 2017
WHERE: 987 N San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022
Entrance: Free
SCHUG WINERY – SONOMA – The Oktoberfest serving wine!
Beer is not your thing, but you love wine? Try the Oktoberfest (Wine-Fest) at Schug Winery in Sonoma. Owned by a German family, Schug Winery is proud to invite to an Oktoberfest of their own kind. The winery was founded by Walter Schug, who came to CA in the 60’s to make wine European style.
Overlooking the Sonoma Valley you’ll be sipping Federweißer and enjoy plenty of traditional Oktoberfest entertainment. Get ready for Polka and accordion music, raffles for adults and children, a photo booth, Bean Bag Toss and more, while indulging on German specialties like Zwiebelkuchen, German cucumber salad, potato salad, German apple strudel, sausages, and of course fresh pretzels.
Children will love the Arts & Crafts tables and will go home with a free pumpkin! Special: Polkageist West is lined up for our live music.
WHEN: Sept 30 from 11am- 3:30pm
WHERE: 602 Bonneau Road in Sonoma, CA 95476.
Entrance: $50 (kids 12 and under free!) – Ticket link : http://www.schugwinery.com/
OAKLAND NATURE FRIENDS – Oktoberfest 2017
Die Naturfreunde Oakland invite to their yearly Oktoberfest in Oakland on October 1st, 2017!
It’s their biggest festival of the year! So, get ready for fun Oktoberfest entertainment while taking in stunning views of the Bay area. Authentic German food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day.
Entertainment:
MUSIC & DANCING: The Bajuk Trio with the Schuhplattler Dancers performing a variety of German and Austrian folk dances. Music starts at 1pm. Let your dance out!
OTHER ACTIVITIES: horseshoes | board games | candy roulette | playground | or just lounge in our alpine-style sun chairs soaking up the wunderbaren views of the SF Bay!
ADMISSION: $15 per adult (free for kids under 14). (Discount code “earlybird” available for a limited time.)
BUY TICKETS online or show up early to ensure entry!
PLEASE BRING CASH: Cash is the preferred method of payment. We do not accept debit cards or checks at the Oakland Nature Friends Club on the day of the event. There is no ATM on the premises.
PARKING: Parking in the ONF lot is free but fills up quickly so arrive early. However, there is plenty of additional parking on Joaquin Miller Drive. We provide a free shuttle bus service (1PM to 5PM every 15 minutes) that will drive guests from the intersection of Butters and Joaquin Miller (near the fire station) to the festival grounds and back again.
MORE OKTOBERFEST:
Placerville Oktoberfest – Sacramento –
Come Dance Zee Polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on Historic Main Street Placerville
Placerville, CA, September 8, 2017—Come dance zee polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on historic Main Street in Placerville on Saturday, September 16th from 3-8pm—presented by the Placerville Downtown Association.
WHEN: September 16th, 2017
Entrance : FREE
Oktoberfest at GACC – German American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco
For the fifth time the German American Chamber of Commerce will bring Germany’s most famous fest to the Bay Area.
Enjoy a night of delicious German food andOktoberfest beer, provided by Ludwig’s German Table. Blow Musik! will set the right tone with their traditional Bavarian polkas and our headliner Bayern Maiden will rock the house once more!
WHEN: September 28th, 2017, 5pm-10pm
WHERE: Fort Mason, San Francisco
Admission: Buy your ticket online
Oktoberfest in Downtown Los Angeles
Oktoberfest DTLA is not your traditional Oktoberfest. You’ll find local breweries and California beers, but you can also still grab an authentic German Beer from Paulaner, the #1 Oktoberfest beer in the world! Food varies from traditional bratwursts and pretzels to Thai-Mexican fusion. Lot’s of music entertainment: Music ranges from awesome local bands like The Tom Nolan Band and rockabilly groups to beat boxers, with Hazelnuss Das Music band closing both nights to get everyone dancing to some awesome Oktoberfest tunes.
WHEN: October 21 & 22, 2017 (12pm -18pm)
WHERE: Pershing Square, 532 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
ADMISSION: General admission is Free, and all ages are welcome. Tasting packages will be available for sale, but you’re free to come and just enjoy the music as well.
Oktoberfest at Old World Huntington Beach
WHEN: Sept. 10 – Oct. 29, 2017
WHERE: 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach
Admission: $7-$25 tickets online or at the door
Oktoberfest at Alpine Village Torrance
WHEN: Sept 8 – Oct 28, 2017
WHERE: 833 W Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90502
Admission: $10- $60 tickets online or at the door
Images: Copyright ©All Images are property of the respective organization, Phoenix Club, Jeanette’s Edelweiss, German American Societies of San Diego, Esther’s German Bakery, Schug Winery, Oakland Nature Friends.
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