Oktoberfest in Texas

Addison Oktoberfest – Addison, TX

When: September 17 -20, 2015

Location: Addison Circle Park – 4970 Addison Circle Dr., Addison, TX 75001

Admission: $10 – Friday & Saturday / FREE on Sunday

Addison Oktoberfest is one of the largest Oktoberfests in Texas, drawing crowds of more than 70,000 during the festival’s four day run. Addison Oktoberfest serves up authentic German food, Munich-only beers, and a wide range of activities and events within the event. I’ve been to this festival every year for the past four years and have and will continue to go until my liver ceases to function. Don’t forget to bring the whole family and your bier stein (you get more beer for your buck that way).   

Wurstfest – New Braunfels, TX

When: November 6 – 15, 2015

Location: 178 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Admission: Wurstfest Grounds – $8 through Thursday, November 5 ($10 at Gate) / Wurstfest Grounds Drink Ticket – $20 (20 $1 drink tickets) / Children 12 & under – FREE admission

Specials: 1 FREE Wurstfest Grounds ticket for every 15 purchased; FREE admission until 7 p.m. on Friday, November 6 & “FREE after 3 p.m.” on Sunday, November 15; and Sunday, November 8 & Wednesday, November 11 – Download BOGO Coupon

Originally known as the “Sausage Festival” (hehe), Wurstfest is one of the longest running and most popular German festivals in Texas. The first Wurstfest kicked off in New Braunfels in 1961 and has since become an epic 10-day salute to all things German. The scent from the 20 Bavarian and food truck vendors fills the air as the live music and carnival rides add to this incredible festival. Try not to ride the carnival rides with a full stomach and if you think you have it in you, sign up for The Bavarian Masskrustemmen (meaning beer-stein holding) contest and show off dem muscles.

Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest 5K – Fort Worth, TX

When: September 26, 2015

Location: 701 Galveston Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104

Admission: 5K Entry Fee – $40 / Biergarten Party Pass – $10

You’ll feel a lot better about indulging in Bavarian treats and numerous pints after running an Oktoberfest themed 5k walk/run that helps benefit the Fort Worth Police Officers Award Foundation. The race is optional and so is the German attire, but we recommend at least one of the two. Rahr & Sons throws a good party, so go get your German polka on in their beer garden after a couple finisher pint glasses and let us know how it goes!

Oktoberfest at Panther Island Pavilion – Fort Worth, TX

When: September 24 – September 26, 2015

Location: Panther Island Pavilion – 395 Purcey Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102​​​​​​​

Admission: Thursday – $3 ($5 at Gate) / Friday – $7 ($10 at Gate) / Saturday – $7 ($10 at Gate)

The Oktoberfest in Fort Worth is definitely one of the more activity based festivals as it offers everything from a Bier barrel rolling race to a stein hoisting competition. Try your luck at the beer wench stein carrying competition or put together a team of your most talented beer drinking buddies and enter in the Oktoberfest Olympics. If you’re not one for competition sit back and enjoy your German beers while vibing out to the live music and Texas themed Oktoberfest atmosphere.  

Oktoberfest at Beethoven Maennerchor – San Antonio, TX

When: October 2 – 3  &  9 – 10, 2015

Location: Beethoven Halle – 422 Pereida St, San Antonio, TX 78210

Admission: $5 Donation at Gate

The Beethoven Maennerchor is a non-profit organization located in the historic King William neighborhood in San Antonio, and their purpose is to “preserve German song, music, and language.” They don’t mess around. Oh yeah, and they’ve been doing it since 1867! Equipped with traditional German fare, including brauts, sauerkraut, live music with plenty of good polka, and great company, this is a wonderful way to experience German heritage in South Texas.

Southlake Oktoberfest – Southlake, TX

When: October 2 – 4, 2015

Location: 1256 Main Street #244, Southlake, TX 76092

Admission: FREE!

It’s fair to say that 14 years of this and an annual attendance of over 100,000 people, Southlake is on to something. Soak in Southlake’s beautiful Town Square and enjoy a fun-filled family friendly environment with plenty of food, beverages, live entertainment, and merchandise. Oh and if you have a dog we expect to see it in the popular “weiner dog race!”  

Oktoberfest Houston – Houston, TX

When: September 26, 2015

Location: 9500 Hempstead Hwy, Houston, TX 77092

Admission: General Admission – $30 / VIP – $80 / Designated Driver – $25

This is pretty much an awesome beer fest with a cool Oktoberfest theme. You’ll find plenty of authentic German hand-crafted beers, but you will also have your choice of some great pints from local breweries. Try your hand at the 4th Annual Oktoberfest Olympiad with games like the Stein Race, Barrel Roll, Bucket Race, and the Legendary Braut Toss; or get your ‘Murica on by whoopin’ up on some folks in Beer Pong, Cornhole, Giant Jenga, Flip Cup, and more! When you’re done kickin’ ass and takin’ names, stuff your face with food from some of the best vendors in Houston while jammin’ to some awesome live Polka and Country tunes, and report back to us once you wake up.

AustOberfest – Austin TX

When: October 17, 2015

Location: 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Admission: $45 – General Admission / $20 – Saengerrunde Member

Over the last few years, AustOberfest has been gaining recognition as one of the best Oktoberfests in the country! Don’t let the admission price deter you from buying tickets because the price includes unlimited German-style sausage and sides from some of Central Texas’ best meat purveyors, German bier tastings, awesome live music, and full access to the 17th street biergarten and bowling alley! If that doesn’t sound fun then we suggest you stop reading.

Island Oktoberfest – Galveston, TX

When: October 23 – 24, 2015

Location: 2415 Ave G, Galveston, TX 77550

Admission: FREE!

This family friendly Oktoberfest just off the coast is known as Galveston Island’s premier fall event and for good reasons. Enjoy a continuous line-up of live entertainment including Grammy-nominated artist Alex Meixner, authentic German food and libations, pastries, shopping, live auctions, Cake Wheel, and a variety of children’s activities that will definitely keep the little ones occupied.

Oktoberfest Fredericksburg – Fredericksburg, TX

When: October 2 – 4, 2015

Location: 100 West Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Admission: $7 (1-Day) / $12 (2-Day) / $1 Children (ages 7-12)

Fredericksburg or “Friztown” as the early German residents called it back in the late 1800’s, knows what it means to throw an authentic Oktoberfest. I mean the town is known as the home of Texas German, the dialect spoken from the first generation Germans who made Texas their home. Fredericksburg is worth the trip alone and why not celebrate German heritage with great food and music in a town that’s been doing it for a long, long time.

McKinney Oktoberfest – McKinney, TX

When: September 25 – 27, 2015

Location: 111 N Tennessee St, McKinney, TX 75069

Admission: FREE!

Do you think designating 14 blocks in your Historical Downtown square is enough room for a “beer garden?” Our guess is yes, but brush off your lederhosen, tune up your yodel, and head there to see for yourself!

Oktoberfest at the Texas Renaissance Festival – Todd Mission, TX

When: Oct 10 -11, 2015

Location: 21778 Farm-To-Market Rd 1774, Todd Mission, TX 77363

Admission: Adult $24 / Children (ages 5-12) $12

While the Texas Renaissance Festival isn’t all about Oktoberfest, each weekend of the festival is dedicated to a different theme and on the weekend of October 10th and 11th, the Texas Renaissance Festival morphs into a lively Oktoberfest celebration. One this most Oktoberfesty of weekends, the festival shifts the culinary offerings and renaissance festival events from a bunch of King and Queen stuff like… not really sure, (mythical food I guess… maybe dragon meat or something?), to traditional German food and classic Oktoberfest events, dancing, and contests like their Bavarian Stein Holding Competition.

Walburg Biergarten Oktoberfest – Walburg, TX

When: September 25 – October 7, 2015

Location: 3777 FM 972, Walburg, TX 78673

Admission: No cover, but smart to make a reservation!

The Walburg German Restaurant is a CSTX favorite. Whenever we’re in the Texas Hill country, we try to make it out to Walburg Biergarten as often as we can to eat some authentic German cuisine and listen to the musical stylings of the Walburg Boys. You can have a blast at the Walburg Restaurant & Biergarten any day of the year, but when Oktoberfest is in session, you better put your party pants on. This is about as authentic as it gets and the good news is you won’t have to squeeze around thousands of people to get a beer. However, we do highly recommend making a reservation if you plan on eating in the restaurant and definitely showing up a little early to snag a good seat in the Biergarten.

Waxahachie Oktoberfest – Waxahachie, TX

When: September 19, 2015

Location: 1950 N Interstate 35 East Service Rd, Waxahachie, TX 75165

Admission: FREE!

Just 30 minutes south of Dallas sits St. Joseph Catholic School and one Saturday about every time this year they throw an awesome community-wide Oktoberfest in the Waxahachie Civic Center. It’s FREE to park and get in but keep in mind that all the proceeds help benefit the school so the more you buy the happier the kids are. That’s how it works. It’s going to be fun for all ages so round up the family and/or some drinking buddies and go enjoy some Texas-style Oktoberfest and support the kids!

Fort Bliss MWR Oktoberfest – Fort Bliss, TX

When: September 18 – 20, 2015

Location: Biggs Park, East Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX 79908

Admission: $35 – Friday & Saturday / FREE – Sunday

Ft. Bliss Military base is about 15 minutes northeast of El Paso and every year their Oktoberfest gets better and better. The tickets include a 2015 stein as well as a delicious German meal and the beer is purchased separately. The are a limited amount of tickets though so we recommend snagging you some before they run out. If you can’t make it Friday or Saturday head out on Sunday for FREE family day!

King’s Oktoberfest – Houston, TX

When: October 2 – 4, 2015

Location: 1329 E. Broadway, Pearland, Tx 77581

Admission: Advance – $5 / General Admission – $10 / V.I.P. – $40

This is definitely hands down one of the best Oktoberfests in the state. Over 5,000 people pile into King’s Biergarten in Houston every year to celebrate German heritage and….um….oh yeah drink beer! Party under their massive Oktoberfest tent with tons and tons of fun activities to do and keep your fingers crossed for your chance to win an all inclusive trip for two to the 2016 Oktoberfest in Munich from your free raffle ticket. Good luck!   

Oktoberfest Granbury – Granbury, TX

When: September 25 – 27, 2015

Location: 101 N Travis St, Granbury, TX 76048

Admission: FREE!

If you’re in Granbury that weekend, make sure to check out Granbury’s Oktoberfest. Admission is free, there’s live music, dancing, polka bands, vendors, prizes, family fun, and you’ll be smack dab in the middle of the town square at a local restaurant called Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus & Biergarten. Owner Angelika migrated to Texas from Germany in 1988, and she brought the true taste of Germany with her.

Hogtoberfest – Brady, TX

When: October 9 – 11, 2015

Location: G. Rollie White Complex – 1600 West 4th St., Brady, TX 76825

Admission: $5 – Gate Fee (per person per day) / FREE – Children(5 & under) / Active Duty & Former Military FREE w/ ID / $30 – All Access Pass
Friday, October 9th @ 8PM Dance featuring William Clark Green $15 – In Advance / $20 – At Door / FREE – Children (12 & under)
Saturday, October 10th @ 8PM Dance featuring Zane Williams $10 – Ticket / FREE – Children (12 & under)

This isn’t as much of a German themed Oktoberfest as it is a tribute to the beautiful art of hog wrestling, but it is in October, and there will be beer. Lot’s of it. Vibe to some live tunes, get your mind blown watching hog wrestling competitions, hog hunting, poker run, and of course delicious food. So pig out and have fun! (Sorry we had to.)