Oktoberfest celebrations date back to 1810, when the Bavarian crown prince hosted the first massive public celebration in honor of his new bride. The annual event has grown into a celebration across the world of German culture, food and beer. With Wisconsin’s notable German American population, there’s an endless selection of stein-slinging fests across the state. Check out these 10 Oktoberfest events.
By Maddie Wilcox | Photo by Elkhorn Oktoberfest
HAYWARD: Sept. 14
Hosted by Hayward Lions Club at the Sawyer County Fairgrounds, the 4th annual Hayward Oktoberfest is welcoming crowds. Hayward’s event was inspired directly by the co-chair couple’s trip to Germany with a memorable stop at Munich’s Oktoberfest. After loving the original event, Kevin and Terri Joyce wanted to bring the fun back to Hayward’s Lions Club as a community fundraiser.
The most impressive aspect of the event is the authentic German food. “We have a gentleman that is our ‘head chef’ that was born and raised in Germany, and he worked the real Oktoberfest in Munich in his late teens and early twenties,” Kevin Joyce says. Don’t miss out on one of the Bavarian Plate specials for $15. The food is proudly complemented by a selection of imported German beer on tap.
When you’re not chowing down, you can peruse craft vendors and local nonprofit booths. Your competitive friends will love axe throwing and stein holding contests.
The event has grown substantially since its inception, with nearly 1,000 attendees in 2023. Accessible parking and an accessible portable toilet are readily available. You’ll enjoy free parking and a max ticket price per person of $5 for those 21 and older. Kids 12 and under get in free.
CHIPPEWA FALLS: Sept. 20-21
Missy Prissel, Programs Director for the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, explains that for more than two decades, the Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest has “evolved into a beloved community tradition that celebrates our heritage and brings people together.” Join the official kickoff to the Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest with the royalty announcement of the Festmeister and Festmeistrin at the famed Leinenkugel Brewery. The new royalty lead the procession to the Golden Keg at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds.
Bringing in upwards of 7,000 attendees, the festivities are surrounded by meticulous decorations. With multiple stages, you have your pick of musical stylings.
In addition to the classic stein-holding showdown, Chippewa Falls boasts two unique competitions: barrel rolling and sauerkraut eating for kids and adults. The Familientreff Stage will keep the whole family entertained with face painting, color-your-own Oktoberfest stein, a reptile show and a live yo-yo comedy performance.
The two-day wrist band can be purchased for $18, a daily wristband for $12, and kids 12 and under get in free.
gochippewacounty.com/oktoberfest-chippewa-falls/
ELKHART LAKE: Sept. 20-22
Elktoberfest is a growing fall celebration with a uniquely Elkhart Lake twist.
Get your steps in strolling the Elkhart Lake Farmers MarketorduringtheWine&BeerRun5KonSaturday morning. For an early 5K registration fee of $30 or $50 closer to the event, athletes receive a t-shirt and medal.
Sip some SwitchGear Brewing Co. beer from your cheeky, commemorative stein featuring a pretzel and stein bedecked elk. Munch on a giant pretzel and hot- off-the-grill brat at the Miesfeld’s Tent.
Kids have a place of their own at the Root Beer Garten with pumpkin painting and a bounce house to work out the energy boost from all that root beer!
If you are coming in from out of town, stay at one of Elkhart Lake’s resorts, all offering exclusive Elktoberfest packages. Admission is free at Elktoberfest’s all-in fall celebration.
BARABOO: Sept. 21
Raise your glass while you sing with the cleverly named WisconSing Bierchoir at the Baraboo Oktoberfest. The Circus World Museum grounds convert to Baraboo’s Oktoberfest for one day. Baraboo takes pride in its circus connections and loves to tie in the German roots of many circus performers. Like the circus, Baraboo Oktoberfest has multiple acts that will be sure to wow the audience, while the Fest Masters will serve as the event’s ring masters.
Get in the German spirit with the highly competitive authentic costume contest. Dress accordingly! Attendees looking to get their competitive fix can also participate in traditional pub contests and the classic stein holding. Local breweries and food trucks will serve you a craft brewski and a salty pretzel or refreshing German relish salad to help soak up that hoppy beverage.
Admission costs $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
LA CROSSE: Sept. 26-29
The La Crosse Oktoberfest holds the title as the longest- running Oktoberfest in the Midwest, bringing beer and smiles since 1961.
Two different parades showcase the La Crosse businesses, organizations, and students as the routes cut through the city. Grand theatrics continue with fireworks on Saturday.
Lederhosen games run throughout the fest with stein races, barrel rolling, grain toss and a scavenger hunt.
Show off your talents and you may win a coveted prize! Multiple music stages host a range of genres while carnival rides bring an extra thrill to attendees. Riders will need to purchase a ride wristband.
La Crosse Oktoberfest pays special attention to the area’s senior population. Seniors enjoy a Senior Breakfast on Thursday, Brats for Seniors on Sunday and, following the big weekend, the 2024 Oktoberfest Royal Family visits area assisted living facilities to spread gemütlichkeit.
You can purchase an admission wristband online or in-person for about $25. With a valid college student ID, college students get in free on Thursday night. Discounts are available for members of the military and military veterans.
APPLETON: Sept. 28
Appleton’s Octoberfest is a celebration of food, fun and philanthropy, that takes over downtown, drawing 200,000 people from across the state. The free festival weekend begins Friday night with License to Cruise, an alcohol-free event featuring more than 400 classic cars lining the street. Music and food welcome visitors to the start of an epic weekend.
Nikki Voelzke, Appleton Octoberfest’s PR and Marketing Chair, loves Octoberfest. “A big festival favorite is our traditional Spaten beer toast,” she says. “The ceremonial toast is a tribute to the annual ritual Spaten keg beer tapping at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.”
Purchase a drink wristband and tickets to enjoy the selection of draft beer, cider, and seltzers available.
With every step you take down the thoroughfare, you will hear a diverse music line-up on various stages with traditional polka down one street and 2000s hits down another. As you wander down the street towards Lawrence University, discover the Arts & Crafts area with woodworking, painting and knit goods. The youngest in your crew will enjoy the Family Fun Area with interactive circus skills workshops, a karate demonstration and a slew of comedians and musicians performing on stage.
Accessible parking and toilet facilities are available.
GERMANTOWN: Sept. 28-29
In 2023, AAA Living Magazine ranked the Germantown Oktoberfest one of the top three places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Wisconsin.
Deeply rooted in the legacy of this small community, the Germantown Historical Society organizes an impressive two-day event drawing a couple thousand attendees to Dheinsville Historical Park.
There’s a lot to see, but Bill Dix, Germantown Historical Society President, shares “one of the biggest attractions is without a doubt the Dachshund Dog Races.” The race of the wiener dogs on Saturday is so popular they run multiple heats to whittle down to the finalists.
All three museums on the park grounds will be open with free admission, including the Our Christ Church Museum of Local History building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The three museums were built in the 1800s and now house the history of Germantown.
Enjoy free admission and free parking. Grab a brat and draft beer for only $12. Accessible parking and multiple accessible restroom facilities in the buildings are available.
germantownhistoricalsociety.org/oktoberfest
MILWAUKEE: Oct. 4-6
Beer is flowing and brats are grilling at the Milwaukee Oktoberfest the first weekend in October. Not surprisingly, the Milwaukee Oktoberfest is chock full of engaging events and even better food from the famed Kegel’s Inn.
Feast on Milwaukee’s signature sausage at the Usinger’s Brat Eating Competition, a speed eating challenge. Saturday night frauleins compete for the title of Miss Oktoberfest by showing off their skills in yodeling, stein hoisting, and beer chugging. The last of the tournaments wraps up with the Sunday cornhole tournament and wiener dog beauty pageant.
Milwaukee Oktoberfest is free and open to the public. If you want to consume alcohol, there is a $2 wristband fee. There is parking around Cathedral Square Park.
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN: Oct. 16-19
Passion for this community event radiates when you talk to Prairie du Chien Oktoberfest board member, Mike Ulric.
Originally from La Crosse, Ulrich had the idea of bringing a family-friendly, event-focused Oktoberfest to Prairie du Chien. Fast forward and this year will be the event’s 15th anniversary.
For the event’s major anniversary, Prairie du Chien Oktoberfest will unveil a new annual event, the sauerkraut eating contest. “My thing is being able to get everyone together and see how many people come here with their family and friends,” he explains.
Past attendees can still look forward to seeing their favorite returning events, including the keg toss and kids’ stein holding competition. The musical line-up features a 20-piece German band.
Admission price is $4 for adults; kids get in free.
facebook.com/OktoberfestPrairieDuChienWi
ELKHORN: Oct. 19
For one day a year, downtown Elkhorn transforms into Elkhorn Oktoberfest. On a sunny fall day, up to 10,000 people flood Elkhorn for the festivities. Kate Abbe, Marketing Coordinator for the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center, sums up the magic of Elkhorn Oktoberfest as “something truly delightful when you see people literally dancing in the streets!”
Two beer and wine tasting tents pour up adult beverages on the streets. Wine and beer tastings start at just $2. The local bars and restaurants join in on the theme and create tasting menus of their own.
In addition to the drink tents, two live stages fill the air with music throughout the day. Food vendors offer entrees ranging from $10-$20 and an array of sweet and salty nibbles. Examine the craft and artisan stands lining the streets for your take-home treasure.
Parking and entrance to the event are free. Bathroom facilities include accessible portable toilets.
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