Who doesn’t enjoy a fun time with beer, sausages, pretzels and brass oompah bands? If you’ve been waiting all year to unleash your inner Polka dancer, the wait is almost over, many Oktoberfests will bring the party to the Southland in September. Prost!
Old World Huntington Beach Oktoberfest
Sept. 12-Nov. 8
Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave. #49,
Huntington Beach 92647
Info www.oldworldhb.com
The Old World Huntington Beach Oktoberfest runs Wednesdays through Sundays and features imported German beer, live bands straight from Germany and traditional food.
Celebrate Southern California’s longest-running Oktoberfest tradition at Old World Huntington Beach, home of authentic Oktoberfest fun since 1978.
Enjoy live music, DJs, the Biergarten Schatzi Girls, German food, competitions, craft cocktails, more than 60 beers on tap in the 10,000-square-foot outdoor Biergarten and indoor Festival Hall.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Sept. 12-Nov. 8
Big Bear Lake Convention Center, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake 92315
Info www.bigbear.com/events/oktoberfest
The Big Bear lake Oktoberfest runs weekends offering mountain festivities, German music and authentic food.
Oktoberfest in Big Bear combines the mountain’s charm with authentic German traditions, German-brewed Oktoberfest biers and the same German brats, strudel and pretzels served at the celebrations in Germany.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest has a solid reputation for German beers, raise a stein of Spaten, Franziskaner, Warsteiner and Konig Ludwig.
Come hungry for a German feast. Enjoy bratwurst, knockwurst and kielbasa with home-style sauerkraut and Bavarian dumplings. Dip into the beer cheese soup and colossal pretzels. Same room for German apple strudel with warm vanilla sauce.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest contests give revelers a chance to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Try your skills at the stein holding matches, log sawing competitions, the safe slam beer drinking races (non-alcoholic) and the annual Queen Stein Carrying Contest.
Oktoberfest 2026 will feature bands direct from Germany: The Ladyhosen Band, Die Sauerkrauts, DragonWolfe, Mary Dyer Band, Winslow, Better Than Bad, B.OK, Alpin Bavarian Band, Sunglasses At Night, Doo Wah Riders and Frankenrebellen Express,.
Hop on the free Big Bear Trolley for a complimentary ride to/from Oktoberfest.
With more than 30 bus stops throughout Big Bear Valley, Oktoberfest encourages you to leave the car keys where you are staying and let someone else do the driving.
Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest
Sept. 19-Oct. 25.
Waterfront Park Lake Arrowhead Village, 28200 CA-189, Lake Arrowhead 92352
Info www.lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com
The 45th annual Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest offers free admission on Saturdays and Sundays and is a traditional German fall festival.
Free admission with first-come, first-served complimentary seating, reserved tables are available for purchase.
Band Schedule:
Sept. 19, 20, 26, Oct. 3, 17, 18: Kalifornia Krauts
Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 24: Ladyhosen
Oct. 10,11, 25: The Blue Birds
Daily Stage Schedule
Noon-12:30 p.m. Welcome Music
12:30-1 p.m. German Bands
1-1:25 p.m. Kids and Adults Musical Hats Contest
1:25-1:30 p.m. Dance Party
1:30-2 p.m. German Bands
2-2:25 p.m. Team Sausage Toss (all ages)
2:25-2:30 p.m. Dance Party
2:30-3 p.m. German Bands
3-3:25 p.m. Women’s Choke the Chicken (like stein holding but more fun)
3:25-3:30 p.m. Dance Party
3:30-4 p.m. German Bands
4-4:45 p.m. Men’s Choke the Chicken
4:45-5 p.m. Dance Party (end of event Sundays)
5-5:30 p.m. German Bands
5:30-5:55 p.m. Dance Contest (all ages)
5:55-6 p.m. Dance Party
6-6:30 p.m. German Bands
6:30-7 p.m. Dance Party (end of event Saturdays).
Parking is free at the Lake Arrowhead Village.
Simi Valley Oktoberfest
Oct. 3, 11a.m. – 6 p.m.
Lemon Park (Rancho Tapo Community Park)
3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley 93063
Info simioktoberfest.com
Simi Valley Oktoberfest is the largest one day Oktoberfest event in California.
Prepare to immerse yourself in the rich flavors of German tradition including German beer, giant, soft pretzels perfect for dipping, grilled Bratwurst with the crunch of sauerkraut and an assortment of German desserts.
Enjoy the music and hilarious performance of Hammerstein Musik Bavaria, a four-piece global machine performing traditional polka, tango, operetta and the occasional classic rock song. Hammerstein shows include dance rhythms, romantic serenades, interactive dance numbers and virtuosic instrumentals.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, this annual fundraiser offers early bird tickets for $25 per person, $30 at the door. VIP early bird tickets are $125 (regular $150-$200). VIP includes: Early entry to tables and seating in the separate VIP lounge area, all day free beer pass, food voucher, premium stage viewing access, exclusive VIP restrooms, free wine tastings (two tickets), free snacks and sweet treats and more.
Santa Barbara Oktoberfest
Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Chase Palm Park, 323 East Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara 93101
Info www.santabarbaraoktoberfest.org
Join the Bavarian fun. Dust off your lederhosen and grab a stein. Authentic brews, bratwurst and music from The Zeitgeist Oktoberfest Band.
This is a fundraising event by Rotary Club Santa Barbara North. Tickets start at $28.
La Mesa Oktoberfest
Oct. 2-4
La Mesa Village 91942
Info www.lamesaoktoberfest.org
La Mesa Oktoberfest is a massive three-day street festival.
Oct. 2 4-10 p.m., Oct. 3 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Oct. 4 noon-8 p.m. Admission is free for all ages.
Attend the 52nd annual La Mesa Oktoberfest Keg Tapping Ceremony on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Hofbräuhaus Bier Garten to kick off the weekend in true Oktoberfest fashion!
Enjoy three unique biergartens, live oompah and cover bands, a Ferris wheel, and more than 100 artisan and food vendors serving traditional bratwurst, giant pretzels and German beer.
Activities and contests include beer stein holding competitions, chicken dance contests and dachshund races.
