Fall is a time to celebrate the end of summer but even better – the coming of winter! Images of giant beer steins, large mountain peaks surrounding you and tubas playing in the background bring joy into so many hearts. It’s almost like the Germans knew they were making a festival that would fit perfectly with the ski town culture. If an Oktoberfest celebration is for you, here are some of our favorite ones coming up.

Best Oktoberfest In A Ski Town

Leavenworth, WA – Bavarian style

If you are anywhere near the Pacific Northwest, we highly suggest heading over to the quiet town of Leavenworth. Right next to Stevens Pass ski area, the buildings in Leavenworth are Bavarian-themed making it feel like you are somewhere in Germany instead of The States. The festival itself has a great assortment of local and German beers, bratwurst, and most of all, the Cascade mountains looming overhead making sure you know that winter is right around the corner.

Local Freshies^® tip: Be sure to check out the Keg Tapping Ceremony that happens at 1:00 pm every Saturday where Leavenworth’s Mayor will honor the Bavarian Tradition of ‘tapping the keg’.

2023 Schedule

9/29-30, 10/6-7 and 10/13-14

For more information about this event, check out their website found here.

Snowbird – Biggest and Best

Are you the type of person that only visits the biggest and best of anything? When you go skiing, do you think “Why even put on a pair of skis unless I’m hucking myself off the largest cliff?” If you answered YES, then Snowbird’s Oktoberfest fits your style. In its 48^th year and attracting over 60,000 visitors annually, it has now become one of the largest annual events in Utah so you know it’ll be a rockin’ good time. Not enough reason to visit? No problem. It’s also considered one of the ten best Oktoberfest’s in the nation by Men’s Journal.

2023 Schedule

Every Saturday & Sunday from 8/12 through 10/15

12 pm – 6 pm

For more information about this event, check out their website found here.

Lake Tahoe – Lots of Options

Lake Tahoe is home to quite a few different options for an amazing Oktoberfest. If you’re on the South Shore, head to the oldest Oktoberfest in the region at Camp Richardson. In its 26^th year, the celebration is located just down the road from Emerald Bay complete with cool contests like beer stein holding and yodeling.

If you’re on the North Shore, don’t worry… there are a few different options for you as well. Tahoe City will be holding an Oktoberfest featuring local craft beers from Alibi Ale Works and Auburn Alehouse, in addition to the ever-popular beers by Lagunitas Brewing Company. Finally, if you can’t make it the first weekend of October, you have a chance to visit the Oktoberfest at Palisades Tahoe being held on September 28^th. The best part about the Palisades Tahoe event will be the fresh pretzels made by a local favorite: Truckee Sourdough Company.

2023 Schedule

Tahoe City – Downtown

9/23: 12 pm – 5 pm

For more information about this event check, out their website found here.

Palisades Tahoe – Village

9/30: 11 am – 5 pm

For more information about this event, check out their website found here.

South Lake Tahoe – Camp Richardson

10/7-8: 10 am – 5 pm (not confirmed)

For more information about this event, check out their website found here.

Steamboat Springs – American Style

If German fare isn’t really your thing but you want to celebrate the end of summer, OktoberWEST might be your best bet, held in Steamboat Springs. They took the idea of the German Oktoberfest and branded it with Steamboat’s western attitude. Creative! Their focus is on local cuisines, Rocky Mountain beer and most of all, western culture festivities.

2023 Schedule

9/16: 4 pm – 8 pm

For more information about this event check, out their website found here.

Great American Beer Festival – Best Darned Beer Festival on the Planet

Since Oktoberfest is all about beer and even though the Great American Beer Festival isn’t really an Oktoberfest, we had to at least highlight that it’s a great October-option for anyone. FYI, this event has been sold out for a LONG time meaning you’ll have to purchase a re-sale ticket. Is it worth it? If you are a beer connoisseur, this wouldn’t even be a question as this could be considered the X-Games of beer competitions.

2023 Schedule

9/21-23

For more information about this event check, out their website found here.

They might call this time of year “shoulder season”, but as you can see there is still a TON to do. Go ahead and start making your plans to visit some of these Fall festivals happening across North America.