Not everyone can travel to Munich for the famous Oktoberfest so here is a list of Oktober-festivities in the US. This Oktoberfest list has been updated for 2011. It is not yet comprehensive, so drop me a line and your Oktoberfest can be added.
Alabama
Cullman, AL - Oct. 1-8, 2011 - Festhalle with food, music and dancing. Miss Oktoberfest contest, bratwurst eating contest, car show, 5 and 10K runs.
Alaska
Arizona
Phoenix, AZ - Saturday, Saturday October 15th 2011 – 10 am to 9 pm - Margaret T. Hance Park 200 East Moreland - Sponsored by the Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures, the 5th annual Phoenix Oktoberfest will have a Biergarten with buxom beer maidens, Bavarian bands, sausages and strudel and dancing. Kids' activities, too.
Arkansas
California
Huntington Beach, CA - September 4 - October 30, 2011 - In the Old World Village - a live band direct from Germany that plays traditional German polkas and rock & roll tunes known in the USA. Bratwurst, German beer, Schnapps, liqueur shots, strudel, sauerkraut and more are served in style at the Old World Restaurant German beer hall during this 6-week event. A German parade and dachshund races, pony rides, a petting zoo and children’s activities at Kinderfest each Sunday.
Torrance, CA Alpine Village - held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between September 9 and October 23, 2011 - Friday and Saturday nights are louder and geared for adults; Sundays are family days with kiddie jumpers, sweet treats and games.
Colorado
Denver, CO - September
16-18 . 23-25, 2011 on 20th and Larimer - Two stages for entertainment, Buffalo Beer Brats and Buffalo Kraut Burger, German Potato Fries, Weisswurst, Smoked German Brauts (sic), Louisana (sic) Hot Links, and more. - Don't miss the Long Dog Derby sponsored by the Colorado Dachshund Rescue.
Vail, CO - SEPTEMBER 9-11 & 16-18, 2011 - Oom pah parties, bratwurst, Beck's Beer and traditional dance demonstrations.
Breckenridge, CO - Sept. 16, 2011 to Sept. 18, 2011 - "Gourmet multi-course dinner is held on Friday evening the 16th.
Enjoy a multi-course meal elegantly paired with European biers and alternate wines with the 1st course starting at 6:00p.m"
Steamboat, CO - 3rd annual OktoberWest festival - Sept. 16, 2011 to Sept. 18, 2011 - "OktoberWest kicks off with Suds & Grub, a cruiser bike parade through historic downtown with stops at restaurants for beer tastings and food specials."
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Helen, GA - Sept. 22 - Nov. 2, 2011, Daily - Helen's Biggest Celebration! German music, dancing, food & drink.
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Chicago, IL - Sept. 23-26, 2011 - St. Alphonsus, founded by German immigrants in 1882, continues to recognize its German roots by celebrating an authentic Oktoberfest. "Join us for beer, brats, music and fun...one of the original premier festivals in Chicago!"
Manteno, IL - Sept. 22-25, 2011 - From carnival rides to food vendors, family entertainment to street merchant - there is something for everyone.
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Covington, KY FRI., SEPT. 9, 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m. SAT., SEPT. 10, noon –11:30 p.m. SUN., SEPT. 11, noon - 9:00 p.m, 2011 - The historic village of Mainstrasse puts this on every year. Kids' entertainment, including rides, the Hansel and Gretel Pageant, German and international food, music, arts and crafts.
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Hagerstown, MD - Augustoberfest, August 27 & 28, 2011 - "The Augustoberfest Event pays tribute to the area's rich German heritage and supports scholarships for exchange students to Hagerstown's Sister City - Wesel, Germany...Volksmarsch [non-competitive group walk]...Bavarian food, entertainment and fun."
Massachusetts
Boston, MA - The first weekend in October (1-2 Oct., 2011) - Harpoon Brewery - See also Go New England
Michigan
Frankenmuth, MI - September 15-18, 2011 - Dancing, beer and food.
Minnesota
New Ulm, MN - September 30th-October 1st and October 7th-8th, 2011 - Featuring local, regional, and European entertainment, along with great German food and plenty of locally brewed beer products.
Mississippi
Missouri
Lee's Summit, Missouri - Sept. 23-24, 2011 - Features a Kid's Street, Biergarten, German bands, beer and brats, authentic German meals, Baby Contest, Bier Barrel Races and Wiener Dog Contest plus 3 stages for entertainment.
Soulard, MO - Oct. 7-10, 2011 - Held across the street from the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis, MO. Enjoy traditional Oktoberfest fare and beer - Radeberger, Tucher, Beck's, Spaten, Paulaner and domestics. Also - crowning of Miss Soulard Oktoberfest. Music includes German bands and polka in two tents and one stage.
Montana
Anaconda, MT - Sunday, Oct. 01, 2011- Copper Village Museum and Arts Center. Arts and craft show at Copper Village. Farmer's Market in the adjoining park. German sausages, potato salad, kraut, hot rolls and other wonderful food will be available all day. There will be a beer garden and entertainment in Friendship Park. Free children's craft area.
Nebraska
Omaha, NE - September 16th and 17th, 2011 - Put on by the German-American Society - Plenty of live entertainment, a keg opening, good food and good times. Arts and Crafts. "Bratwurst, Chicken, Roast Pork, Schnitzel, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, German Tortes, etc.
(Our German Rotisseri team will be cooking a few hogs and dozens of chickens)"
Nevada
Reno, NV - Oct. 2rd, 2011. Bonus - A listing of all Oktoberfests around Lake Tahoe.
New Hampshire
Attitash Oktoberfest in NH -
10/08/2011 - 10/09/2011 - "Enjoy live Bavarian music from the world renowned King Ludwig's Band, dancing, kids' activities, games, authentic German food and, of course, the Oktoberfest Biergarten featuring brewers from around the region."
New Jersey
Dover, NJ June 25th and 26th, 2011 and Sept. 17 and 18, 2011 at Germania Park.
New Mexico
Red River, NM - October 7-9, 2011 - Traditional German music, food, micro beer, a Ms. Oktoberfest contest, stein holding and brat eating contests, a "Keg Karry", and art and crafts vendors.
Ruidoso, NM - October 14th and 15th, 2011 -
Bratwurst, knockwurst, Polish Sausage (all with sauerkraut), Reuben Sandwiches, Red cabbage, potato salad, apple nut cake,Black Forest cake, potato pancakes, apple pancakes, apple sauce, Apfelstrudel, Apfelkuchen & Caramel Apples, soft pretzels,German Potato Soup, and many more tasty treats! Arts & Craft booths and a Kinderhall.
For those of you really looking to get in the mood, the Ruidoso Oktoberfest encourages people to "dress for the occasion".
New York
Irondequoit, NY - Sept. 16 - 18 and 23 - 24, 2011 - Put on by the town.
Hamburg, NY - Sept. 17th, 2011.
Syracuse, NY - Sept 23-25, 2011 - "This outstanding cultural event will take place at a new location this year. Enjoy three days of authentic German entertainment, food and beverages. Open noon ‘til 11PM on Fri. and Sat. and noon till 6PM on Sunday. Bands will be announced at a later date."
North Carolina
Charlotte, NC - October 8, 2011
2:00pm - 7:00pm - Metrolina Expo ". Live entertainment on the big stage.
The chance to put your skills to the test on games like table tennis, foosball, corn hole and many others in the Creative Loafing Beerlympic Village.
Food vendors serving some of the tastiest brats, hot dogs, pretzels, and more."
North Dakota
