By Natalie Wexler | Photo Courtesy of Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce
When a crisp hits the air, it can only mean one thing: Oktoberfest season is beginning! Oktoberfest dates back to Europe in the early 1800s, when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. To celebrate the occasion, people were invited to Munich to watch a horse race and celebrate on the fields surrounding the city walls. Today, the largest Oktoberfest celebration continues to be held in Munich, but you don’t need to go across the pond to partake in the celebrations.
There are several fantastic Oktoberfest celebrations throughout Wisconsin, including these 6 in the southern half of the state. So don your dirndl and grab your steins … it’s almost Oktoberfest season.
New Glarus Oktoberfest
Date: Sept. 25-28, 2025
Location: Throughout downtown New Glarus
Admission: Free; food and beverages available to purchase
Parking: Free
If you’re looking for a good excuse for a road trip, you can drive to New Glarus, also known as “America’s Little Switzerland,” for one of the premier Oktoberfest celebrations in Wisconsin. The New Glarus Oktoberfest features a sprawling beer garden, authentic German and Swiss food stalls, live music, authentic costumes and wagon rides, among other festivities. New Glarus Brewery will also be doing a ceremonial tapping of their kegs of Staghorn Octoberfest beer. Admission to the festival is free and parking can be found in the surrounding area. While you’re in New Glarus for Oktoberfest, make sure to explore this charming town! Get all the details at swisstown.com/oktoberfest.
Milwaukee Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 3-5, 2025
Location: Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee
Admission: $6 if purchased before 10/1; $12 at the door.
Parking: Paid parking lots are available near the festival grounds.
Another option that’s good for a quick road trip is Milwaukee’s Oktoberfest, held on the lakefront at the Henry Maier Festival Park. Enjoy authentic German beer and food, live music, a wiener dog beauty pageant, a stein-hoisting competition and dancing. Milwaukee’s history as a city that was heavily settled by German immigrants makes this festival a particularly lively one. To plan your day, visit milwaukeeoktoberfest.com.
Duesterbeck’s Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 4, 2025; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company, N5543 County Rd O, Elkhorn
Admission: Free; food and drinks available for purchase
Parking: Free
Celebrate autumn in Wisconsin at this Oktoberfest celebration outside of Elkhorn. Come to this local brewery to enjoy live music all day, food trucks and German games, German dancers and dancing instruction, plus delicious beer (including a special barrel-aged Oktoberfest release!). For more info, visit dbcbrewery.com/event-details/oktoberfest-1.
Town of Delavan Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 11, 2025; noon to 6 p.m.
Location: Waters Edge, 1220 South Shore Drive, Delavan Lake
Admission: Free; food and beverages available to purchase
Parking: Free
Don’t miss this annual Oktoberfest celebration on the shore of Delavan Lake. Features stein-hoisting (an athletic feat where participants compete to see who can hold a stein out the longest), traditional German dancing, music, food and fun for the whole family. For more information, visit delavanfriends.com/oktoberfest.html.
Lake Geneva Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 11-12, 2025; Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Broad and Geneva Streets, downtown Lake Geneva
Admission: Free; food and beverages available to purchase
Parking: Metered parking downtown; free parking on select side streets
Lake Geneva’s Oktoberfest provides fun for the whole family, with an artisan market, live entertainment, family activities and a beer garden. Enjoy live polka music, food stalls featuring authentic Wisconsin and German cuisine, local and German craft beers in the beer garden, crafts from local artisans, pumpkin painting and games, among other highlights. Check out the restaurant and shopping specials throughout downtown, take a wagon hayride or a pony ride. And don’t miss the Great Geneva Pie Eating Contest or the Dachshund and Corgi Races! For more info, visit downtownlakegeneva.org/events/Oktoberfest.
Elkhorn Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 18, 2025; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Downtown square, Elkhorn
Admission: Free
Parking: Free street parking available
Drive 20 minutes north from Lake Geneva to visit the Elkhorn Oktoberfest. The all-day festival begins at 9 a.m. and features a classic car show, 5k run/walk, live music, traditional German cuisine and more than 100 craft vendors, along with beer and wine tastings. For more info, visit elkhornchamber.com.
This article was originally published in September 2025 on At The Lake Magazine‘s website, our sister publication. Find more things to do in the Lake Geneva area on their website atthelakemagazine.com. Both publications are published by Nei-Turner Media Group.
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