Some of the largest and longest running Oktoberfest celebrations happen every year in Wisconsin. If you are looking for a German festival to attend in September or October 2015, you should have no trouble finding the right beer and food here. More than 40 percent of the state’s residents boast German heritage. From Milwaukee and Madison, to La Crosse and Appleton, the fall is filled with fun festivals to celebrate the marriage of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria.
2015 Events
We add the dates and locations of the events for Wisconsin Oktoberfest throughout the year starting in February or March. By September, we usually have 15-20 festivals hosted by communities, restaurants and breweries in The Badger State.
Essen Haus Oktoberfest – Madison, WI – September 12, 2015
This is a German restaurant and trinken halle with 16 German biers on tap throughout the year. They’ve been holding an event for more than 30 years. Live music, brat and pie eating contests, beer races, outdoor dance floor, Hammer Schlagen and kids tent for their annual one day event in mid-September. Location: 514 East Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703
Northern Wisconsin Oktoberfest – Chippewa Falls, WI – September 18-20, 2015
Their website says the 13th annual Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest will have 4 stages and 30 entertainers. In the past, there has been live music, dancing, biergarten, sauerkraut eating contest, euchre tournament and kids costume contest. Admission information and event schedule should be available in late Spring. Three day admission in 2014 was $15 with daily admission priced at $8. Location: 225 Edward Street, Chippewa Falls, WI
La Crosse Oktoberfest – La Crosse, Wisconsin – October 1-4, 2015
The first Oktoberfest in La Crosse was held in 1961. Over fifty years later, it is still going strong. Activities include live music, Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest, Festmaster’s Ball, parades, contests, and even a mud run. Location: South Side Festival Grounds – La Crosse St & 2nd St N, La Crosse, WI, 54602
Oktoberfest – Appleton, WI – September 25-26, 2015
A mile of fun on College Avenue in Appleton, in what is described as Appleton’s largest block party. Live music, over 100 food vendors, Friday night classic cars at the License to Cruise, arts & crafts and family fun area with kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Location: College Avenue, Appleton WI
New Glarus Oktoberfest – New Glarus, WI – September 25-27, 2015
America’s Little Switzerland holds an annual German festival at the end of September. The 2014 event included live music with Element 13, Max Drexler Barvarian Brass Band, Wheelhouse, Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z, CattleProd, and The Jimmy’s. Keg tapping ceremony on Friday night at 9 PM. Antique tractor pull on Sunday. Fondue tasting and demonstration on Sunday afternoon. 5K run/walk on Saturday morning. Chainsaw carving, wagon rides and plenty of family fun. Sponsored by the New Glarus Brewery. Free admission.
Lake Geneva Oktoberfest – Lake Geneva, WI – October 10-11, 2015
The 24th annual Oktoberfest runs on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM each day. It is a family fall festival with live music, food, craft booths, wagon hayrides, pony rides, bouncy castle and other kids activities. Don’t miss the great pumpkin giveaway! Free shuttle pickup and drop off from select parking locations. This street festival is located in Southeast Wisconsin ninety minutes from downtown Chicago. Location: Downtown Lake Geneva
Cedarburg Oktoberfest – Cedarburg, WI – October 10-11, 2015
Celebrate the ethnic heritage of the area with oompah music from authentic German bands, dancing, food and specialty beers. A huge tent is erected for the festival and a wooden dance floor allows you to polka. Entertainment includes the Pommersche Tanzdeel Dancers, Tuba Dan, the Alte Kameraden Band, D’ Lustig’n Wendlstoana Dancers and the Cedarburg Civic Band. Contests and games available for all ages including a sheepshead tournament, best Lederhosen/Dirndl contest, sauerkraut eating contest and German Spelling Bee. Cars owned by members of the Milwaukee Region Porsche Club of America will also be displayed. It runs from 11 AM to 8 PM on Saturday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Note: pets are not allowed on the festival grounds. Location: Community Center Parking Lot (W63 N641 Washington Avenue)
Elkhorn Oktoberfest – Elkhorn, WI – October 17, 2015
The 10th annual event will be held on the third Saturday in October. Last year’s description: Elkhorn’s Downtown Square will have beer & wine tasting, chili cook-off, car show and live music. Tasting is $10 for a commemorative glass and six tasting tickets. Entry free for car show is five non-perishable food items or $5 for the Elkhorn Food Pantry. Held at Veterans and Pocket Parks.
Location: 100 W. Walworth Street, Elkhorn
Antigo Oktoberfest – October 3, 2015
The local chamber holds the event at the Langlade County Fairgrounds livestock pavilion. Event typically runs from 11 am to 4 pm.
2014 Events
These events were held in Wisconsin last year and we expect them to be held again. Since we don’t yet have dates for 2015 yet, we leave them in this section until they announce:
Brewmasters Oktoberfest – Wausau, WI – September 27, 2014
The annual Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival is holding the Brewmasters Oktoberfest again in 2014. Nearly 20 breweries will most likely participate. Sample over 100 craft beers and food from local restaurants. Ceremonial keg tapping and live entertainment at the event. Location: 400 Block, Downtown Wausau, WI
Waupaca Oktoberfest – Waupaca, WI – August 29, 2014
Central Waters Brewery in Amherst puts on this Oktoberfest with lots of beer, wine, and German food. The Charlie Justmann Band provides the entertainment with plenty oom-pah, big band songs, and oldies. Nothing like a little bit of country on a fall afternoon.
Wurst Oktoberfest – Madison – September 12, 2014
Inaugural event by Isthmus newspaper in Central Park. Lineup of polka bands includes The Happy Schnapps Combo and The Strawberry Jam Band. Admission is $25 and includes Leinenkugel beer and samples of sausage, cheese and other food. Pints of beer available for $4 or 2 for $7. Kids 12 and under are $12.
Location 202 S. Ingersoll Street, Madison WI 53703
Old Settlers Oktoberfest – Paddock Lake – September 13, 2014
Food, beer, music and dancing from noon to 8 PM. Beer tent sponsored by Westosha Kiwanis. There will also be a classic car show, wiener dog races and Little Miss Edelweis Pageant (girls ages 3-10). There are also kids games, face painting, hair braiding and a fireworks display. Admission is free.
Location: Old Settlers Park on Highway 50 (75th Street)
St. Martin of Tours – Franklin – October 18, 2014
Second annual event from 1 to 10 PM. It is held indoors with food, beer, music, sheepshead games, crafts and pig roast. Reservations required.
Milwaukee Oktoberfest – Milwaukee, WI – Friday and Saturdays in September 2014
The Bavarian Soccer Club hosts this event at the site of the former Bavarian Inn at Heidelberg Park. It has been going on for more than sixty years. Alpine style pavilion equipped with weather curtains on the open sides called the Bavarian Fest Garten hosts the main festivities. Traditional German brass bands, Schuhplatter folk dancing, singing, yodeling, and sing-alongs. Broiled chicken, bratwurst, spanferkel, rollbraten and pretzels are just some of the food available. Oktoberfest Queen contest on the first Saturday. Admission is $5 online and at the door. The four weekends following Labor Day are September 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27, 2014.
Location: 700 W Lexington Blvd., Glendale, Wisconsin
Plymouth Oktoberfest – Plymouth, WI – September 19-20, 2014
11th annual Oktoberfest hosted by the Plymouth Arts Center. Live music, German food, biergarten, and kids art. They advise guests to bring a lawn chair. Free admission. Dance to the polka variety band Polka Potion. Other bands include Copper Box, Michele & Danny Jerabek & Company, Newtonberg Oktoberfest Brass Band and also the Plymouth High School’s Junge Kameraden band.
Location: 520 E. Mill Street Plymouth, WI 53073
Kohler Falls Oktoberfest – Sheboygan Falls – September 12-13, 2014
Sheboygan Falls Lions Club and the Kohler Police Athletic League teamed up for this first annual event. German music, dance and food available. Games and contests include the 5K run/walk, teen battle of the bands, sheepshead tournament and cornhold tournament.
Location: River Park, Sheboygan Falls, WI.
Sheboygan Oktoberfest - Sheboygan, WI – October 3-4, 2014
Governor Scott Brown stops by on Saturday for their 7th annual key tapping ceremony. The event starts Friday night. Saturday at 10:00 am is their 2nd annual wiener dog race and costume contest. Music provided by Roger Winterberg, and the German Heritage Band.
Location: Al & Al’s Steinhaus, 1502 South 12th St., Sheboygan, WI.
Milwaukee Oktoberfest – October 3-5, 2014
Pere Marquette Park, Downtown Milwaukee
The Great Rotary Oktoberfest – Verona, WI – October 11, 2014
The Great Rotary Oktoberfest is October 11th at Wisconsin Brewing Company from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton’s charitable efforts. $10 admission for ages 18+. $5 admission for ages 14-18.
West Milwaukee Oktoberfest – September 13-14, 2014
Past Events
Milwaukee Oktoberfest Bar Tour – Milwaukee, WI – October 12-13, 2013
Location: Old World 3rd Street
Want to know what you are getting in to by attending one of these Oktoberfests? Try my list of the largest festivals for Oktoberfest in America for the most popular and attended celebrations of German heritage. You should also check the lists of nearby states that also celebrate Oktoberfest if you don’t find one on the weekend that you want to party: Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.
Whether you have found a festival to enjoy or you will be celebrating from home, Funtober has some other resources that will help you prepare for Oktoberfest. 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 Wisconsin in October:
Wisconsin Festivals
Wisconsin Corn Mazes
Wisconsin Ghost Tours
Haunted Houses in Wisconsin
Pumpkin Patches in Wisconsin
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