There are a number of German beer festivals for Missouri residents to celebrate Oktoberfest from mid-September to mid-October in 2015. There will be beer, brats and oompah music close to home for many residents as the Show Me State attracts tens of thousands of people to some of the St. Louis and Kansas City Oktoberfest celebrations. If you live elsewhere, we hope that you find a festival near you that you can attend.
Last Major Update:
2015 Events
We update the dates and location for each Missouri Oktoberfest when they are announced throughout the year. If you have updated information about an event, or we are missing one, please let us know!
Jefferson City Oktoberfest – Jefferson City, MO – September 25-26, 2015
Celebrate Jefferson City’s German heritage with this fall festival. The 15th annual Oktoberfest hosted by the Old Munichburg Association includes live music, dancers, beer/wine garden serving authentic food, demonstrations, kids games, hot rod/classic car show, dachshund costume contest and derby. They are expanding it to include Friday evening this year, with a German dinner hosted by the Central United Church of Christ and live music & beer garden on Washington Street. Location: West Dunklin, Washington, and Broadway streets
Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest – Lee’s Summit, Missouri – September 25-26, 2015
70,000 are expected in Downtown Lee’s Summit for Oktoberfest to enjoy the German meals, three stages of entertainment, dancers, biergarten, carnival, arts and crafts. It has been held for more than 20 years. Contests include a home brew beer competition, wiener dog race and baby contest. Kids street has contests for kids, crafts such as pumpkin decorating, and free activities.
Soulard Oktoberfest – St. Louis, MO – October 9-11, 2015
More than 40,000 are expected for the weekend at this 12th annual St Louis Oktoberfest. The AP listed it third on its list of the biggest Oktoberfests in 2011. Lots of live music featuring German bands and contests such as the brat eating contest, stein holding contest, strongest barmaid and most beautiful fraulein. Bands scheduled for 2014 include The Dorfrockers, Copper Box, Chardon Polka Band, Polkanauts, Austrian Express, Soulard Blues Band, Deutschmeister Brass Band, The Wendl Band and Dave Hylla’s Good Times Band. VIP tickets available. General admission is $5. Children are free when accompanied by an adult. Wear traditional Oktoberfest attire and get in free! Pets are welcome. Location is 2 blocks east of Souldard Market Park. There is plenty of free parking within a 10 minute walk of the festival. Shuttles are also available from participating hotels. Location: Arsenal St and S Broadway, Saint Louis, MO 63118
Ernte-fest – Friestatt, Mo – August 7-8, 2015
Past Events
Saint Charles Oktoberfest – Saint Charles, Missouri – September 26-28, 2014
A family friendly festival to celebrate the community and German heritage. Local bands and German bands on the entertainment schedule. Wiener dog races, brat eating contest, parade, 5K and one mile fun run, and kids zone. No admission fee. You must buy a $2 wrist band to purchase alcohol. A donation of $5 to KEEN, a non-proift in St. Louis serving disabled kids, allows children to paint their own pumpkin, jump in the bounce houses and get their face painting in the kids zone. The event is held at Frontier Park off Riverside Drive, located between the Historic Downtown District and the Missouri River. Location: 500 S Riverside Dr, Saint Charles, MO 63301
Parktoberfest – Parkville, MO – October 4, 2014
6th annual day at the park with live music, beer garden and fun for kids including the Little King & Queen Parktoberfest contests. The morning starts off with a 5K run followed by a family run. Admission is free but a suggested $10 park donation helps the Friends of Parkville Parks complete restoration projects. Location: English Landing Park, Parkville, MO 64152
Oktoberfest Joplin – Joplin, MO – October 4, 2014
An all-day family friendly event that is Joplin’s signature fall festival. You will find children’s games, activities and contests (including some for adults!). Carnival fare such as cotton candy, giant pretzels, kettle corn, funnel cakes and of course bratwurst. Beer garden will have over 10 seasonal craft beers on tap. The Weisn marketplace will have holiday crafts and items from local artists and businesses. Entertainment stage will have live music, a yodeling contest and hot dog eating contests. In the past, admission has been free but there is a suggested donation of $2 per person to benefit the Joplin Downtown Alliance. This event got its start in 2011.
Hermann Oktoberfest – Hermann, MO – First four weekends in October, 2014
Weekends in Hermann have been packed with events for Missouri Oktoberfest seekers. The Hermannhof Festhalle on East First Street has wine, beer and brats. The German Bier Garten at Sesquicentennial Park on Gutenberg Street has food, beer and live music. Breweries, wineries and other clubs/locations have special events planned as well. The Arts & Crafts festival is on the second weekend of October. See the extensive schedule for details on their website as it is too detailed to list here completely and not all events are open every day. Location: Many locations throughout Hermann.
Oktoberfest in Cole Camp – Cole Camp, MO – October 11-12, 2014
Cole Camp, a historic town on the National Register of Historic Places, has been holding this event for more than ten years. It includes traditional German food and beer, gun show, bicycle tour and antique farm machinery displays (tractors and old engines). They also have a wine and beer tasting. The Prairie Day event, held at the same time, includes hayrides, nature exhibits, kids games, banjo concerts and star gazing in the evening.
Sweet Springs Oktoberfest – Sweet Springs – October 4, 2014
Held Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. There’s a craft show, farmer’s market, art show, dog show, baked pie contest, beer and wine garden. Pumpkin painting, face painting, hay tunnel and bouncy castles for kids. Also a 5K fun run.
Oktoberfest In The Ozarks – Springfield, MO – September 13, 2014
Mother’s Brewing Company sponsors this 4th Annual Oktoberfest from 1:30-8:00 pm. Event features local music, food, and lots of local craft beer. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $5 with kids under 15 free. Music provided by The Garbonzos, The Detectives, Dirtfoot, and the Ben Miller Band. Enjoy foods by Firelight Pizza, Horrmann Meats, and Farmer’s Gastropub.
Location: 215 S. Grant Ave., Springfield
Grunauer Oktoberfest – Kansas City, MO – September 26-27, 2014
5th annual Kansas City Oktoberfest with live music, German food and beer. Advance tickets are $12 for the weekend and include your first beer. $15 at door. Featured foods are bratwurst, porkhoit with rye, brazen, gulaschsuppe, bread pudding, and bayerische crème. Music provided by Terry Bell, The Alpen Spielers, Nuthatch 47, Cool Cats Accordion Orchestra, Festhaus Musikanten, and Loose Park.
Location: 101 West 22nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
Oktoberfest Village – Springfield, MO – October 4, 2014
The Village on Park Central Square will have beer and live music throughout the day during the Taste of Springfield. Ceremonial keg tapping at 11:15 AM.
Oktoberfest in the Ozarks - Springfield, MO – September 13, 2014
Mother’s Backyard hosts their 4th annual Oktoberfest with local beer, local food, and live music. Food provided by Firelight Pizza, Horrmann Meat, Farmer’s Gastropub, and Benissimo Gelato. Music all day by The Garbonzos, The Detectives, Dirtfoot, and The Ben Miler Band.
Location: 215 S. Grant Ave., Springfield, Missouri.
Sertoma Oktoberfest - Springfield, MO – September 19-20, 2014
Admission is $5 for 21 and up for this party put on by Sertoma. Join in the 5K walk/run, live bands, Olympic style Oktoberfest games, and of course good beers and food.
Location: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N Grant, Springfield, MO.
Mactoberfest – Springfield, MO – September 27, 2014
Sample some 70 beers at this Saturday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm event. Admission is $10. Music provided by the Norman Jackson Band.
Location: Macadoodles, 1455 E. Independence St., Springfield, MO.
Lake Saint Louis Oktoberfest – Lake Saint Louis, MO – October 5-6, 2013
2013 will be the third year for this fundraising event for The Ambassadors of Lake Saint Louis. Food, carnival rides, bands, kids play areas and more planned.
Location: National Equestrian Center, 6880 Lake St Louis Blvd Lake St Louis, MO 63367
Hyvee Oktoberfest - 1720 W. Battlefield Rd., Springfield, MO – September 21, 2013
Lots of great food, music, and beer at Hyvee’s from 3-6 pm. Tickets are $5.
Brown Derby’s 8th Annual Oktoberfest – Springfield, MO – October 12, 2013
Held from 1:30-4:30 pm at the Brown Derby International Wine Center, 2023 S Glenstone Avenue.
You should also peruse list of the largest Oktoberfests in the United States as well as nearby Oktoberfest festivals in surrounding states: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.
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 Missouri in October:
Missouri Festivals
Missouri Corn Mazes
Missouri Ghost Tours
Haunted Houses in Missouri
Pumpkin Patches in Missouri
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