Wow. There are a lot of Colorado Oktoberfest festivals. I guess that makes sense with over one million citizens claiming German heritage. But there are a lot of fabulous Oktoberfest options here.
2014
Beaver Creek Oktoberfest – Beaver Creek, CO – August 30-31, 2014
Enjoy these Bavarian festivities over Labor Day weekend. Enter the daily costume contest to win prizes and listen to the live oompah music. Get a workout at the Oktoberfest Shuffle, which is their non-competitive walk, hike or run over a 5K or 10K course on the trails of Beaver Creek Mountain.
Oktoberfest – Morrison, CO – August 23-24, 2014
The T.E.V. Edelweiss Club puts on their authentic Oktoberfest event in August. Admission is $7. This year they feature a traveling display from the “German American Heritage Museum”. Opening ceremonies are at 11:30 am on Saturday with music and dancing starting at noon. They feature kids games, face painting, folk dancing, German food, and lots of beer choices.
Breckenridge Oktoberfest – Breckenridge, Colorado – September 12-14, 2014
The largest Oktoberfest in the Rocky Mountains will close Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado, to host its 20th annual event in 2014. Fall foliage, Paulaner Bier, German food, live music, keg tapping and children’s activities. Location: Main St, Breckenridge, Co, 80424
Pueblo Oktoberfest – Pueblo, CO – September 12-13, 2014
German food, music and beer. Keg tapping at 6 PM on Friday night. Saturday is family day with the Denver Kickers German Dancers at 1 PM and German costume contest at 5 PM. Stein hosting contest at 8 PM both evenings. Admission is $5 at the door but free if wearing costume. Seniors and kids 12 and under are free.
Location: 132 W. “B” Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
Denver Oktoberfest – Denver, CO – Sept 19-21 & 26-28, 2014
Larimer Street in Denver’s Historic Ballpark Neighborhood is transformed for two weekends in September for this celebration of German culture. Over 250,000 people attend Oktoberfest Denver annually. Entertainment includes stein hoisting, long dog derby, keg bowling, Dashustlehoff 5K, bratwurst eating contest, costume contest and live music. Location: 20th and Larimer, Denver CO
Vail Oktoberfest – Vail, Co – September 5-7 and 12-14, 2014
Traditional food and Paulaner beer, bavarian music, dancing, yodeling, bratwurst eating contest, keg bowling, stein lifting, Oktoberfest costume contest and more over two full weekends in Vail. Free concerts on Saturday night. Family zone during the day for kids with crafts, entertainers and kids 1K fun run. Named by USA Today one of the ten greatest Oktoberfests in the US in 2010. No cost for admission.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad Oktoberfest – Canon City, CO – September 13 – October 12, 2014
Location: 401 Water Street, Canon City, CO 81212
FORToberfest – Fort Collins, CO – September 19-20, 2014
A celebration of Fort Collins with live music, seasonal beer from 6+ Fort Collins breweries and bicycle booths. Music lineup ranges from funk to bluegrass to rock and indie. Friday night headliner is 12 Cents for Marvin (from Fort Collins) and Saturday headliners The Railbenders (Alt Country music) and P-Nuckle (reggae). Costumes are encouraged. Free admission. Thousands are expected to participate. The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is expected to be back with the remote Rio Patio and their famous Margaritas on Saturday. Location: Downtown Fort Collins (Walnut St. and Old Town Square.
Steamboat OktoberWest – Steamboat Springs, CO – September 19-21, 2014
The 6th Annual Oktoberfest with a western twist. Rocky Mountain beer and local food and festivities instead of German beer. Cruiser bike parade Suds & Grub on Friday. OktoberWest is Saturday with live music, beer garden with over 20 Colorado brewers and the I Love Beef Cook Off. Yampa Street Live on Sunday has more beer, western music and line dancing. Festival admission is free but there is a cost to enter the cook off tasting and beer garden. Location: 2305 Mt Werner Cir, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Schuhplattlers Denver Kickers Oktoberfest – Golden, CO – September 20, 2014
Location: 16676 W. 50th, Golden, CO 80403
Autumn Gold Brats & Beer – Estes Park, CO – September 20-21, 2014
22nd Annual festival with bratwurst, beer and live music. It is a family friendly event with face painting, corn bag toss, bouncing room, soap bubbles and rides in antique cars and a fire engine. Raffle tickets are $25 each with a grand prize of $5000. Music lineup includes Amplified Souls, Wendy Woo and the Woo Crew, The Long Run, Frank’s Attribute to Elvis, and Brad Fitch Memories of John Denver. Festival happens in Bond Park. Sunrise Rotary has been organizing this event since 1995.
Rocky Mountain OktoberfestPlus – Woodland Park, CO – September 20-21, 2014
German beer, food, live music. For children, there is an obstacle course, climbing wall, kids games and face painting. Ceremonial keg tapping at 11 AM on Saturday. 17th annual event. Admission is $6 for adults. Under 21 are free. Free parking and shuttle bus from Woodland Park High School. Location: Ute Pass Cultural Center, 210 E Midland Ave Woodland Park, CO 80863
Parker Oktoberfest – Parker, CO – September 20-21, 2014
9th annual family friendly German-themed festival in the O’Brien Park parking lot from 11 AM to 9 PM on Saturday and 9 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. Location: 10795 Victorian Drive, Parker, Colorado
OktoBREWfest – Greeley, CO – September 26-27, 2014
Location: Lincoln Park (8th Street & 9th Avenue), Greeley CO
The Greeley Oktoberfest has changed its name for 2013 to reflect the focus on specialty brews, VIP tasting tent and expanded musical entertainment. But the same German traditions will still take place. Event kicks off Friday evening with brats, beer, games and a free concert. Huge children’s area on Saturday along with more music, food and specialty beer. Stein lifting, pie eating, volleyball and life size beer pong contests.
Montrose Oktoberfest – Montrose, CO – September 27, 2014
Last year, they had dozens of beers, live music and food from local restaurants to raise money for All Points Transit as part of the 2013 Fresh Fest on Friday and Saturday. Location: Centennial Plaza in Downtown Montrose.
Brush Oktoberfest & Car Show – Brush, CO – September 27, 2014
32nd annual event with Friday night Cruise In, car show, beer garden, live polka band and dog show/contest. Location: Main Street (Clayton) in Brush
Volgafest – Windsor, CO – September 27, 2014
Pretty sure this used to be called an Oktoberfest, but it is up on their website in 2014 as Volgafest, celebrating Windsor’s Volga German heritage. Location: Community Recreation Center, 250 N. 11th Street, Windsor CO
Celtic Oktoberfest – Carbondale, CO – October 3-4, 2014
Celtic Fest on Friday night including Best Legs in a Kilt Contest. Full day of German bands, food, beer, brat eating contest, liter holding contest and the chicken dance on Saturday. Location: 4th Street Plaza.
La Veta Oktoberfest – La Veta, CO – October 4, 2014
27th annual Colorado Oktoberfest held the first Saturday in October. 10th annual Twin Peak Rodder’s Car show, dancing, bier garden, and arts & crafts.
Oktoberfest Niwot – Niwot, CO – October 4, 2014
6th Annual Oktoberfest hosted by The Rotary Club of Niwot that serves as a fundraiser for local and international project. They will have bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzels and cold beer. Live music features Camille DiSalle and The Prime Time Band. For kids, there will be pumpkin painting, face painting and inflatable bouncy castle. Free admission. Location: Cottonwood Square, 7980 N. 79th Street, Niwot
Castle Rock Oktoberfest – Castle Rock, CO – October 4, 2014
Beer, food, and live music to welcome fall. Kids will enjoy the bounce house, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides and fun zone rides. Last year they had Rick Bolger and the Average German Band play. Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Grand Junction Oktoberfest – Grand Junction, CO – October 4, 2014
33rd annual event with Bavarian food, German beer and wine. Live music, entertainment, dancing and shopping provides fun for all ages. Marching band parade, wiener dog races. Free admission.
Evergreen Park Oktoberfest – Evergreen – Sept 21, 2014
Fifth annual event at Buchanan Park on Sunday from noon to 6 PM with German food, drinks, crafts, contests and children’s activities. Commemorative mugs are $5 and include first beer free. Raffle tickets available for a 1970 VW Bug Convertible. Adults 21 and over are $15. Children 10-21 and designated drivers are $10. Kids under 10 are free.
Location: Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen CO 80439
Loveland Oktoberfest – Sept 20, 2014
Free, family friendly festival from 11 AM to 5 PM with local craft beer, food vendors, craft vendors and other family friendly activities. Amphitheater gates open at 4 PM for the conert with The Epilogues, Proverbal and Flobots. Concert tickets are $15-20.
Location: Thunder Mountain Amphitheatre, 4250 Byrd Dr., Loveland CO 80538
T.EV. Edelweiss Club Oktoberfest – Morrison, CO – August 23-24, 2014
Location: 6495 Monaco Street, Commerce City, CO 80022
Berthoud Oktoberfest – Berthoud, Colorado – October 4, 2014
Fourth annual authentic German festival with beer from City Star Brewing, Berthoud Brewing, food, music, dancing, kid’s activities, arts & crafts. The 10th annual Scarecrow contest and 3rd annual Berthoud Fall Bicycle Classic are also on October 4th.
Location: Fickel Park, N 7th St, Berthoud, Colorado 80513
Colorado Springs Oktoberfest – Colorado Springs, CO – September 26-28, 2014
Keg tapping ceremony on Friday evening at 6:30 PM. 5K, Dachshund Dash, brat eating contest, German costume and stein hoisting contests. Sunday is family day and there is also a tuba competition. Live music, authentic German food and Paulaner beer.
Location: Security Service Field (Sky Sox Stadium), 4385 Tutt Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO
Lamar Oktoberfest – Lamar, CO - October 4, 2014.
This festival is hosted by the Lamar Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, it will be held on October 4th at the Santa Fe Train Depot. There is a beer garden, inflatable games for kids, Car & Motorcycle Show, charity 5K Relay Race, horse shoe tournament and local musical acts.
Highlands Ranch Oktoberfest – Highlands Ranch, CO – September 20, 2014
Authentic German food, Paulaner beer, live entertainment, kids games, Dachshund races and a 5K/100 Yard Dash. Fireworks at 9:30 PM. There is lots of German food, music, and great beers. Event runs from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Location: 9288 Dorchester St, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Ouray Oktoberfest - Ouray, CO – October 4, 2014
Beer, brats, polka fun, evening fireworks, and the 50th Annual Jeep Raffle all make for a great day of fun.
Location: Box Canyon Lodge, 45 3rd Ave Ouray, Colorado 81432
Last Year’s Events
Durango Oktoberfest – Durango, CO – September 14-15, 2013
Bere, food and music hosted by the San Juan Citizens Alliance. Pub crawl of local breweries and kids can enter the Children’s Museum air castle, get their face painted and enjoy kids crafts.
Location: Main St, Durango CO
Oktoberfest Frisco – Frisco, CO – August 31 – September 1, 2013
Location: Frisco Adventure Park/Peninsula Recreation Area, Peninsula Road, Frisco CO.
Fat Fondo Oktoberfest- Colorado Springs, CO – October 12, 2013
Louisville Oktoberfest – Louisville, CO
They couldn’t find a sponsor in 2013 but hope that they will be back for 2014.
Location: 824 Front St, Louisville, CO 80027
Glenwood Oktoberfest – Glenwood Springs, CO
We haven’t seen a date or any information posted about this event as of 9/6/2013.
Location: Centennial Park, 3480 El Morro Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Granby Oktoberfest – Granby, CO
We haven’t seen any information posted about this event and it isn’t listed on the Granby Chamber of Commerce website as of 9/6/2013.
Location: Polhamus Park, 199 N Zero St, Granby, CO 80446
Golden City Brewery Oktoberfest – Golden, CO
The events page on the website hasn’t been updated since 2012.
Location: 920 ½ 12th Street, Golden CO 80401
I don’t think that you really need to go to another state in order to enjoy Oktoberfest if you live in Colorado. But here are a few surrounding states if you would like to see what they do for Oktoberfest: Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
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 Colorado in October:
Colorado Festivals
Colorado Corn Mazes
Colorado Ghost Tours
Haunted Houses in Colorado
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