Oktoberfest is a time of year filled with cheer, or as the Germans like to say, prost! From family fun days and 21-plus-only nights to stein- and brat-filled multi-day staycations, Oktoberfest in Washington State is commemorated with celebrations across the state. Turn up the accordion, pour a pint in the autumn sun, and welcome the harvest season.
Sept. 16 to Oct. 1, Weekends: Remlinger Farms Brewery
Carnation
Get your steins ready as Remlinger Farms Brewery will have you exclaiming prost and dancing the days and nights away to live music from local bands, including Bavarian Beer Garden Band, Vibemind, Buddy Do Wrong and Lonngren Pass.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: https://remlingerfarms.com/brewery/#oktoberfest.
Sept. 22 to Sept. 24: Fremont Oktoberfest
Seattle
Fremont Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in Seattle featuring more than 100 craft beers, German beers and ciders. Enjoy beer tastings in 5-oz. mini mugs or big beer steins and boots. Furry friends are welcome on Sunday to Bowser Beer Garden during Dogtoberfest, with fun swag and giveaway items, including doggie bandanas and collapsible pet bowls. The event is for 21-plus only.
Cost: General admission starts at $25 (five tasting tokens); Grand admission starts at $35 (10 tasting tokens).
For more information: www.fremontoktoberfest.com.
Sept. 22 to Sept. 24: Kirkland Oktoberfest
Kirkland
If an authentic München-style Oktoberfest Biergarten on the shores of Lake Washington is calling your name, look no further than the Kirkland Oktoberfest. This three-day Oktoberfest in Washington is one of Seattle’s largest such traditions, offering German music, games, contests, keg rolling, a parade of the sausage queen, half-pour beer tastings and more. Ticket purchases also support nonprofits in the community.
Cost: General admission starts at $20.
For more information: kirklandoktoberfest.com.
Sept. 23: McMenamins Oktoberfest
Bothell
All ages are welcome to this Oktoberfest in Washington at McMenamins Anderson School. The day has exciting activities like the discovery hunt where players hunt for clues, answer riddles and unravel mysteries to get their very own Oktoberfest pint glass to raise in puzzle-solving triumph. Live music starts at 1 p.m. with tunes from the Oompah Machine, followed by Cavort and The Lost & Found. As for food, Tavern on the Square and Nui Nui will be serving traditional German sandwiches and salads, and Woodshop is plating an Oktoberfest dish you won’t want to miss.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: www.facebook.com.
Sept. 29 to Oct. 14, Weekends: Oktoberfest in Leavenworth
Leavenworth
Pack your bags and check in to a lodge in the picturesque Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth in the Cascade Mountains for a majestic Oktoberfest staycation. This Oktoberfest in Washington State happens over three show-stopping weekends filled with entertainment and fun, including multiple beer gardens, music and dancing, and Kinderplatz, a kid-friendly area with a Ferris wheel, games and bouncy houses. Entertainment includes traditional polka fan favorites the Smilin’ Scandinavians, dance group Enzian Scuhplattler, and big-name Oktoberfest groups from around the world including Manuela Horn and Pech & Schwefel.
Cost: General admission starts at $12 Fridays and $27 Saturdays. Free admission for kids 12 and under.
For more information: leavenworth.org/oktoberfest,
Sept. 29 to Oct. 14, Weekends: Projekt Bayern’s Oktoberfest
Wenatchee
Enjoy free admission all three weekends to this family-friendly Oktoberfest in Washington. Projekt Bayern’s Oktoberfest is a 24-year tradition in Wenatchee offering two large dance hall tents, live German music, authentic German food, beer and a kid’s area. Enjoy entertainment by L-Bow the Clown and Leapin’ Louie, local food booths with authentic Bavarian ribs, pork and bratwurst with sauerkraut. Don’t miss the stein-holding contest every Saturday.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: oktoberfestprojektbayern.com.
Oct. 6 and Oct. 7: Anacortes Bier on the Pier
Anacortes
Willkommen to Anacortes Bier on the Pier, a two-day extravaganza of beer, cider, food and music! Enjoy beers from Locust Cider, Stones Throw Brewery, Ten Pin Brewing and more–with a range of taste profiles, including spicy, peppery, citrusy and piney hops of the Pacific Northwest–all while taking in the breathtaking views of the Guemes Channel. This year is the 12th anniversary of Anacortes Bier on the Pier, and the event is 21-plus.
Cost: General admission starts at $45; $15 for designated drivers.
For more information: anacortes.org/event/anacortesbieronthepier.
Oct. 6 to Oct. 8: Oktoberfest Northwest
Puyallup
Food, beer and fun, need we say more?! Oktoberfest Northwest is a Munich-inspired celebration serving up traditional Oktoberfest music and dance, brats and beer-filled steins at the fairgrounds. Oktoberfest Northwest has a variety of fun and games for the whole family from the Stein Dash 5K, Bavarian Bier-lymics, Hammerschlagen Tournament of Champions, an all-kids half-mile root beer run and an Abita root beer garden. Enjoy the Puget Sound’s top 80’s cover bands on Friday and Saturday nights.
Cost: General admission starts at $15. Free admission for kids 12 and under.
For more information: www.thefair.com/oktoberfest-northwest.