It’s Oktoberfest season! Get ready to eat bratwurst, drink beer, and make merry with live music, games, vendors, and so much more at these events across the Triangle.
Saturday, Sept. 21
KOMANA Brewing Oktoberfest
noon till close
Two fests in one! Bring the kids for a family celebration including a costume contest, crafts, fairy hair, polka freeze dance, a kids’ stein holding contest, and more. Evening fun begins at 5 p.m. and includes competitions in yodeling, pretzel throwing, stein hoisting and stacking, and sausage eating.
Fortnight Brewing Oktoberfest
noon to 11 p.m.
Head to Fortnight’s Cary location to enjoy a vendor market from noon to 5 p.m., live German music by Tom Neuhauser from 1-4 p.m., and eats from the Crave Dogs & BBQ food truck from noon to 9 p.m. Feeling lucky? Participate in a corn hole tournament, pretzel toss, keg race, or stein holding contest.
Lonerider Brewing Oktoberfest
noon to 10 p.m.
Transport yourself to Bavaria with a full day of music from Ken Middler, What’s Left Band, and Butter. The Gator on the Grill food truck will be serving tasty eats. A stein holding contest kicks off at 3 p.m., and the winner receives a case of golden ale! The brewery encourages guests to bring pop-up chairs.
Durham Oktoberfest
Bring the whole crew for a family-friendly event at Durham Central Park! Shop an art market, play yard games, burn off energy in bounce houses, participate in a corn hole tournament or stein hoisting contest, and more! Taste a new Hefeweizen collaboration between The Glass Jug Beer Lab and Atomic Clock Brewing, plus wine, cider, and cocktails. Sample German fare from The Flying Pierogi, bratwurst or burgers from That’s a Good Burger, or beer floats and other treats from Locopops. And don’t forget tunes by Gary’s Oompah Band and DJ Timbrr.
Sunday, Sept. 22
D’s Oktoberfest
3-8 p.m.
Spend your Sunday afternoon at D’s Bottle Shop in Raleigh with music from the Little German Band, brats, pretzels, Oktoberfest games, and more fun.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Lafayette Village Oktoberfest
noon to 4 p.m.
Eighth Annual Wiener Dog Races – need we say more? (Okay … there’s beer, food, live music, and shopping, too.)
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5
Triangle Oktoberfest
Billed as “the largest and most authentic German festival in NC,” the 10th Annual Triangle Oktoberfest settles into Koka Booth Amphitheatre the first weekend in October with 50+ beers, traditional Bavarian food, and a celebration of German culture. Under 15 admitted free. Hear tunes from King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band, and bring the kids to enjoy activities in the Kinder Platz. Age 15+ tickets $15 and up (or get in free with a dachshund).
