Visit a great 2014 Oktoberfest in Florida this year. The 2.2 million German descendants here have a number of options to celebrate at a Florida Oktoberfest. And as long as you aren’t facing a hurricane bearing down upon you in September or October, the weather should be beautiful at these locations:
2014 Festivals
Oktoberfest Miami – October 17-19 & 24-26, 2014
Hosted by the German American Social Club of Miami. It was started in 1958. German food and beer, dancing, free carnival rides and entertainment. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-20 years old. Miami Dade employees receive free admission on Fridays with Miami Dade identification. Active military in uniform are free.
Location: 11919 SW 56th St., Miami, Florida
Panama City Oktoberfest – - Panama City Beach, FL – September 26-27, 2014
Beer garden with Bavarian music sponsored by the Panama City Downtown Improvement Board. This will be the 30th annual event, held on Friday from 4 to 10 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM. Location: 413 Harrison Avenue, Panama City FL
Orlando Oktoberfest – Orlando, FL – September 27, 2014
Beer, brats, live entertainment, schuhplattler dancing and stein holding contests. Free bounce houses for children. Event runs from 3 PM to 11 PM. Free admission but parking is $5. Proceeds from the event benefit Bahia Shriners.
Location: Bahia Festival Grounds, 2300 Pembrook Dr, Orlando
Port St. Lucie Oktoberfest – Port St. Lucie, FL – October 3-4, 2014
The German American Club of the Treasure Coast hosts this outdoor event with craft show, food vendors, entertainment and kids activities. Admission is Free. Opening ceremony and parade of flags on both Friday evening and Saturday.
German American Society of Central Florida Oktoberfest – Casselberry, FL – October 4 & 25, 2014
German American Society of Central Florida hosts this Oktoberfest open to the public at the beginning and end of October. Biergarten with German beer, authentic German food, live music, folk dancing, flag parade and kid’s fun zone. Location: 381 Orange Ln, Casselberry, FL 32707
Oktoberfest in Memorial Park – Jacksonville, FL – October 4, 2014
Come out Saturday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm for this awesome party benefiting the historic Memorial Park. Local craft beers and German beers are featured from Intuition Ale Works, Aardwolf, and Veterans United. Purchase giant pretzels from Mellow Mushroom or great foods from Jax Truckies including German dishes from Bold City Pops, Delish Kebobs, Jalapeno Trucks, Son of a Butcher, and Super Food Truck. Music provided by the Swinging Bavarians include traditional Oktoberfest songs, yodeling, slap-dancing, and of course Oompah beats. Activities include pretzel toss, beer stein races, and stein holding contests. Dress up in dirndl and lederhosen to enter the King and Queen of Oktoberfest contest. Tickets are $35 online or $40 at the door which include a souvenir beer stein full of your favorite brew and a giant pretzel. Location: 1620 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, Florida.
Oktoberfest VIP Preview Party - Jacksonville, FL – October 3, 2014
This is a private Oktoberfest event for Memorial Park Association donors. Becoming a donor is easy (see website). Buy your tickets in advance. Event tickets include all you can eat authentic German foods, locally brewed Oktoberfest beers, giant pretzels, and live oompah music by the Swinging Bavarians. Party happens Friday night from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Location: 1620 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, Florida.
Oktoberfest Tampa – Tampa Bay, FL – October 10-12, 2014
Keg tapping on Friday. Over 20 games including Oktoberfest Olympiad, keg toss, stein holding, carry the wench and corn hole. German beer, food and live music (including lots of polka). Admission is $10 for one day or $25 for the weekend with a VIP pass available and free general admission to Armed Forces members with ID. Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL
Lantana Oktoberfest – Lake Worth, FL – October 10-12 and 17-19, 2014
41st Oktoberfest with two weekends of family fun. More than 35,000 visitors are expected over the course of the two weekends. Live music, dancers, food, beer and entertainment. Authentic German food includes Pork Schnitzel, rotisserie chicken, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, apple strudel, black forest cake and more. Original Hofbrau beer is served along with domestic beer and soft drinks. Schnapps and Jager also have samples and specials. This Florida Oktoberfest is held by the American German Club of the Palm Beaches on the second and third weekend of October. Adult admission is $8. Kids under 12 admitted free with paying adult. Location: 5111 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, FL 33463
Oktoberfest on the Beach – Indian Rocks Beach, FL – October 11, 2014
13th annual Oktoberfest with live music and dancing, art exhibit, and contests for stein carrying and keg throwing. Kinder fest has bounce house, face painting, clown, balloon artist and arts & crafts booths. Free admission. Location: Kolb Park, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Tallahassee Oktoberfest – Elder Care Services – Tallahassee, FL – October 17, 2014
16th annual Oktoberfest at Mission San Luis on Friday evening at 6 PM. General admission for $55 includes German buffet and live entertainment. VIP tickets with early access, souvenir stein and unlimited refills are $100. Over 1000 people joined them in 2013. Location: 2518 W. Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, Florida
Oktoberfest Munich Beer Garden and Craft Beer Walk – Tarpon Springs, FL – October 17-19, 2014
Beer, food, live music, games, crafts and more. Location: Downtown Tarpon Springs on Orange Street and Safford Avenue.
Oktoberfest Cape Coral – Cape Coral, FL – October 17-19 and 24-26, 2014
29th year for this Florida Oktoberfest hosted by the German-American Social Club of Cape Coral. Huge tent and outdoor biergarten with 3 stages and 2 dance floors enjoyment of non-stop live bands. German food and beer including sausage platters, bratwurst, schweinhaxen, potato pancakes and other items. Carnival area for kids has rides and games. There are also hand made crafts for purchase from the vendors and exhibitors. 5K run on Saturday, October 25th. Miss Oktoberfest pageant is held in July for ages 21 to 45. Bands for 2014 will include Martin Schmid und seine BodenseeePerlen, Big Band Deluxe, Hafenkapelle and more. Tickets are priced at $5-6 with free parking. Children under 12 receive free admission. Location: 2101 SW Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral, FL 33991
Celebration Oktoberfest – Celebration, FL – October 17-18, 2014
Hayrides, pumpkin painting, or stroll along the lakeside promenade. Leaves fall each day at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Entertainment starts at 5:30. Parking and admission are free.
Location: Celebration Town Center, 701 Front St, Celebration, FL 34747
Perdido Key Oktoberfest – Pensacola – October 4, 2014
Fourth annual family friendly event held from 2 to 10 PM on Saturday. Door prizes for guests in costume. Root beer garden for kids. Free and open to all ages. Modest cover after 6 PM. Portion of proceeds go to Perdido Key Volksmarch Club.
Vitamin C Octoberfest Miami – Miami – Sept 27
3rd annual event on Saturday from noon until 11 pm. Early bird tickets before Aug 17th are $20. General admission is $36.
Location: Marlins Park
Top of the Bay Oktoberfest – Tampa Bay, FL – October 24-26, 2014
The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber Oktoberfest located at Tampa Bay Downs. German food, beer, arts and crafts, carnival, and contests including keg toss, stein holding and barrel rolling. Live music and dancing. Join 20,000 visitors to this long running tradition. Admission is $5. Kids and Military ID get in for free.
Location: Tampa Bay Downs, 11225 Race Track Rd Tampa, FL 33626
Nikki Beach Oktoberfest - Miami Beach, FL , October 5, 2014
German food, beer, and dancing hosted by Nikki Beach, a South Beach restaurant and nightclub.
Location: One Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida
Coral Gables Oktoberfest - Coral Gables, FL – October 2-12, 2014
An 11 day German festival with beer, food, live music, yodel contest, nailing contest, brat eating contest and cycle party. Admission is free. Event starts at 11:00 am every day. Do not miss the fraternity style drinking activities like beer pong, flip cup, and more. Foods include giant bier pretzl, German potato salad, Apfelstrudel, Wurstteller sausage, and German chocolate cake.
Location: Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, 60 Merrick Way, Coral Gables, FL
German American Society Oktoberfest – Hollywood, FL – September 27, October 11 & 25, 2014
3 great Oktoberfests in 2014 with the Bavarian Schuhplattlers, live music, authentic German food and beer. Door donation of $7. Kids under 12 are free.
Location: 6401 Washington Street, Hollywood FL
Avalon Park Oktoberfest – Orlando, FL – October 10-11, 2014
Free family event from 5-10 pm on Friday and Saturday night. Beer garden for adults and root beer garden for kids. Games, contests, German music and alpine dancing. Music by Europa, Magic Curtain Productions, and Alpine dancing by Schuhplattler Gruppe Alpenrose.
Location: 3680 Avalon Park E Blvd #300, Orlando, FL 32828
Bluewater Bay Oktoberfest - Niceville, FL – September 26-27, 2014
Family friendly event with german food, music, beer and children’s rides. Admission is free. Features include a German Band, the High Steppers. Also see the clowns. Hosted by the Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary Club.
Location: Marketplace at Bluewater Bay (Winn Dixie Shopping Center)
Las Olas Oktoberfest – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – CANCELLED
It says so on their Facebook page. Our previous description: Celebrate this 3rd annual Oktoberfest at Huizenga Park with keg tapping, live music, brat eating and beer stein contests, schuhplattler dancers.
Location: Huizenga Park, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Dunedin Brewery Oktobeerfest – Dunedin, Florida – October 2-5, 2014
Always the first full weekend in October. It is a four day event with activities from Thursday to Sunday. Thursday is typically Heritage night, where they only fill Literstein mugs, so bring yours from a prior year or be prepared to purchase this years edition. Friday evening’s Street Party for the first Friday and Saturday “Street Gathering”.
Location: 937 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, Florida
St Pete Oktoberfest – Saint Petersburg, FL – September 20, 2014
This Oktoberfest is back for 2014. It is held at the Grand Central District on Saturday, September 20th. It will include German food, Oompah music, traditional Oktoberfest contests and kids area. Event runs from 1:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
Location: 2800 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, Florida
Jaxtoberfest – Jacksonville, FL – October 10-11, 2014
Cocoa Village Oktoberfest – Cocoa, FL – October 11, 2014
It includes a Miss Oktoberfest contest, braut eating competition and corn hole tournament. Plenty of food, games and fun. Free admission.
GIPA Oktoberfest – Miami, FL – October 11, 2014
GIPA’s 23rd Annual Oktoberfest is family-friendly Oktoberfest and features carnival rides, game booths with prizes, German food and drink, delicious baked goods, entertainment, activities for kids, and more. Admission and parking are free. Tickets for rides/games/food are $1.00 per ticket.
Location: German American Social Club, 11919 SW 56th St., Miami, FL 33175
Past Events
Tierra Verde Oktoberfest - Saint Petersburg, FL – October 25, 2013
Oktoberfest community party with market and beer garden. No information about the party on the Black Forest website but it is on several other community event websites.
Location: Black Forest Cottage Restaurant, 1120 Pinellas Bayway
Viera Fall Festival & Oktoberfest – Viera, FL – October 26-26, 2013
First annual event with German food, beer and music. Wizard of oz themed costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, hay rides and arts & crafts.
Location: 2700 Judge Fran Jameson Way, Viera
GIPA Oktoberfest – Miami, FL October 12, 2013
The 22nd Annual German International Parent Association Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2013 from noon – 7 PM. It’s a family-friendly Oktoberfest, featuring carnival rides, game booths with prizes, German food and drink, delicious baked goods, entertainment, activites for kids, and more. Admission and parking is free. Tickets for rides/games/food are $1.00 per ticket.
Location: German American Social Club, 11919 SW 56th St., Miami, Fla. 33175
Avon Park Oktoberfest – Avon Park, FL – October 12, 2013
This event has been held annually for more than five years. It is a one day festival at the Mile-Long Mall on Main Street. They have a Bavarian Olympics competition, wiener dog races and classic car show.Bounce houses and other kids’ activities make this a family friendly event. Live rock music, Oompah music and food vendors. Shop from the unique and handmade products of the arts and crafts vendors. The date for this event was announced in August last year.
St. Peter Catholic Parish Oktoberfest – Deland, FL
A four day carnival that acts as a fundraiser for St. Peter Catholic Church. They have food, drinks, rides, bingo and products for sale. In 2013, it was held the first weekend in October.
Melbourne Oktoberfest – Melbourne, FL
This event was canceled in 2013. We aren’t sure why. Status for 2014 is uncertain.
Stuart Oktoberfest – Stuart, FL
There has been no word on their Facebook page since 2012 so unless we see other evidence of life soon this one will enter the deadpool.
Vero Beach Oktoberfest
There has been no word on this event’s Facebook page since it was held in 2012.
Downtown Orlando Oktoberfest – Orlando, FL
Location: 123 E. Livingston, Orlando Florida
Winter Park Village Beertoberfest – Orlando, FL
Location: 400 North Orlando Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Craft Beer Oktoberfest – Tampa – October 20, 2013
Location: Raymond James Stadium
If you live in Northern Florida, you might also consider going to Oktoberfest in Alabama or Georgia. And if you will be traveling in October, check out these large festivals for Oktoberfest.
We’ve got some other resources that would help you prepare for Oktoberfest as well. Read about the history of Oktoberfest. Learn about Oktoberfest beer. Find the words to Oktoberfest music. Plan your Oktoberfest outfit. And try cooking some of these Oktoberfest recipes.
Find other fun things to do in Florida in October:
Florida Festivals
Florida Corn Mazes
Florida Ghost Tours
Haunted Houses in Florida
Pumpkin Patches in Florida
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