Oktoberfest is here and there are plenty of opportunities this September and October to make it an event to remember.
Oktoberfest started in Munich, Germany in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of the crown prince of Bavaria. Though Munich is still home to the most famous festival, Oktoberfest is celebrated across the globe and is synonymous with beer-fueled parties, traditional German garb, and general frivolity. Simply put, Oktoberfest is a very fun time.
Whether or not you plan to don the traditional lederhosen or dirndl, these are the best celebrations to spend a memorable Oktoberfest in the Bay Area.
San Francisco Oktoberfest events
1. Schroeders’ Annual Oktoberfest Block Party
Join the oldest Bavarian beer hall on the West Coast for a celebration with live music, beer specials, beer games, and more.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 20, 2024
📍 Location: Front Street entertainment zone, 240 Front St, San Francisco, CA 94111
🍻 Learn more: Schroeders’ Annual Oktoberfest Block Party
2. SF Brewing Co Oktoberfest Keg Tapping 2024
One $35 ticket gets you a complimentary SFBCo drinking boot filled with SFBCo’s house-brewed Märzen lager. The celebration includes a costume contest, German beers, a pretzel eating contest, traditional music, and more.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 21, 2024
📍 Location: Ghirardelli Square • 3150 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
🍻 Learn more: SF Brewing Co.
3. Parktoberfest at Park Chalet
The Park Chalet transforms into an old world village with authentic German music, custom 1L steins to take home, and traditional entertainment.
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 4, 2024
📍 Location: Outer Sunset • 1000 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121
🍻 Learn more: Park Chalet
4. Oktoberfest by the Beach
The sixth annual rendition of the United Irish Cultural Center’s beachside Oktoberfest celebration features stein-holding contests and authentic dancing and music.
🗓️ Dates: October 5, 2024
📍 Location: Outer Sunset • 2700 45th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94116
🍻 Learn more: Oktoberfest by the Beach
5. Woodsfest Treasure Island
Celebrate Oktoberfest at Woods’ local getaway on Treasure Island with German food, festive music, and exclusive beer releases.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 21, 2024
📍 Location: Treasure Island • Woods Island Club, 1 Avenue of the Palms Ste 168, San Francisco, CA 94130
6. Oktoberfest with Radhaus
Fort Mason’s own Bavarian beer hall Radhaus holds a weeks-long celebration with discounts, events, and beer releases.
🗓️ Dates: TBA for 2024. Generally lasts from mid-September to early October.
📍 Location: Fort Mason Center • 2 Marina Blvd Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123
Bay Area Oktoberfest events
7. Oktoberfest at Original Pattern
Enjoy festive beer releases, beer games, German food, and more at this costume-friendly Oakland event. This year, OP invites you to bring your own stein.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 14, 2024
📍 Location: Oakland •
🍻 Learn more: Oktoberfest at OP
8. Benicia Oktoberfest & Marketplace
A festival with traditional Bavarian music, a marketplace with handmade crafts, beer tasting, and family activities.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 14, 2024
📍 Location: Benicia Marina Green, 266 E B St, Benicia, CA 94510
🍻 Learn more: Benicia Oktoberfest & Marketplace
9. OkDROberfest in San Leandro
Enjoy marked-down pours from Fieldwork, 21st Amendment, and Drakesisten while playing traditional Oktoberfest games.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 14, 2024
📍 Location: San Leandro • W Juana Ave & E 14th St, San Leandro, CA 94577
🍻 Learn more: Okdroberfest
10. Oktoberfest in Redwood City
Slide into a bench at Redwood City’s popular multi-day fall event featuring German-style entertainment, dancing, food, and more.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 20-22 and 24-29, 2024
📍 Location: Courthouse Square, Redwood City • 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063
🍻 Learn more: Redwood City
11. Oaktoberfest
This festival takes place over a full weekend with German music and food, multiple live music stages, hundreds of vendors, and the best craft beer in the Bay.
🗓️ Dates: Oct 5-6, 2024
📍 Location: Oakland • MacArthur Blvd and Fruitvale Ave, Dimond District, Oakland
🍻 Learn more: Oaktoberfest
12. Campbell Chamber Oktoberfest
A lively celebration featuring authentic German food and drink, arts and crafts, stein-holding competitions, and more.
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 19, 2024
📍 Location: Downtown Campbell, East Campbell Avenue, between Third St. and Harrison Ave.
🍻 Learn more: Campbell Chamber Oktoberfest
13. Oktoberfest at Temescal Brewing
Enjoy an afternoon of live DJ sets, bratwurst, a steinholding competition, and delicious pours of Temescal’s Oktoberfest beer.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 21, 2024
📍 Location: Oakland • 4115 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
14. Oktoberfest Food Festival at Six Flags
Six Flags presents multiple fall-themed events this year, including several Halloween experiences. The Oktoberfest attraction has delicious seasonal and craft beer, German-inspired cuisine, live music, and entertainment to enjoy between rides.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 14 – Nov. 3, 2024
📍 Location: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589
15. Walnut Creek Oktoberfest
Walnut Creek’s family-friendly Oktoberfest celebration takes place in a pop-up biergarten outfitted with gourmet food, artisan vendors, arts and crafts, international music, and entertainment.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 27 – 28, 2024
📍 Location: Civic Park East, 1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
16. Ludwig’s Biergarten
Make a trip out to Mountain View for two weekends of Oktoberfest celebrations at Ludwig’s. They’ll be serving authentic German food and beer with a backdrop of upbeat live music.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 20-21, 27-28, 2024
📍 Location: 383 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041