Oktoberfests in the Pacific Northwest

Five Great Oktoberfests in the Pacific Northwest
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Backdropped by the snow-capped peaks of the Cascades, Oktoberfest in the Northwest is probably the next best thing to Oktoberfest in Munich!

Celebrate your German heritage (or someone else’s German heritage!) with a trip to one of our region’s Bavarian-inspired fall festivals.

Oktoberfest in the Pacific Northwest

Mount Angel Oktoberfest

September 14-17, 2013 in downtown Mount Angel in Oregon

The tight-knit community of Mount Angel was settled by German pioneers in the 1800’s (which might explain the Bavarian-style buildings downtown), and folks here put on one of the best celebrations of the harvest in the Northwest, and certainly the most traditional Oktoberfest. Don’t miss it.

More on Mount Angel Oktoberfest.

Klamath Basin Oktoberfest

September 23, 2023 in Klamath Falls, Oregon

The beautiful Klamath Basin in autumn? Yes, please, with a side of  brats and kraut and a locally-brewed Skyline Munich Helles Lager. And you can bring the kids– this inaugural Klamath Basin Oktoberfest is family friendly. It’s venue is the Bill Collier Community Ice Arena at the Running Y Ranch Resort in Klamath Falls, and coincides with Crater Lake’s Ride the Rim event nearby if you want to make it a full weekend.

More on Klamath Basin Oktoberfest.

Fremont Oktoberfest

September 22 – 24, 2023 in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood

A Seattle tradition, Fremont Oktoberfest is three days of non-stop entertainment, live music, dancing, great German food and a LOT of beer – over 100 craft brews and ciders will be available. This event is 21 and over only.

More on Fremont Oktoberfest.

Bend Oktoberfest

September 30, 2023 downtown Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon is an outdoor lover’s paradise, but it also boasts the Northwest’s highest concentration of breweries. Beer is big in Bend, and in October, a celebration of beer takes over a downtown street. It’s called Bend Oktoberfest. In addition to plenty of beer and German costumes, Oktoberfest holds a yodeling competition, wiener dog races and lots of sauerkraut. Best of all, the event is free to attend.

More on Bend Oktoberfest.

Leavenworth Oktoberfest

September 29-30, October 6-7, October 13-14 (three weekends) in 2023, downtown Leavenworth, Washington

The Bavarian village of Leavenworth on the east slope of Washington’s Cascades hosts the region’s most popular Oktoberfest, spanning three crisp autumn weekends. It being Oktoberfest in Bavaria and all, there’s of course going to be fabulous beer. You’ll also dance to live music, nosh on German food, and browse arts and crafts booths. There are plenty of cultural ceremonies and traditions to take part in, too. Leavenworth Oktoberfest is loaded with family-friendly activities.

More on Leavenworth Oktoberfest.

Anacortes Oktoberfest – Bier on the Pier

October 7-8, 2023 on the Anacortes Waterfront

Breweries, ciders, food trucks and live music–that’s what you’ll find at Anacortes Oktoberfest. Set on the pier overlooking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, this Oktoberfest is a scenic, fun party. Unlike a lot of the festival-type Oktoberfests in the region, you won’t find carnival rides and family games at this one (this Oktoberfest is 21 and over only). But you will find live music, great food vendors and lots and lots of good beer.

More on Anacortes Oktoberfest.

West End Oktoberfest – Spokane

September 16-17, 2023 in downtown Spokane

Walk around six breweries and enjoy a ton of live music at this boozy celebration of harvest season in downtown Spokane’s happening west end. Don’t miss sampling the Bratwurst Pizza at Iron Goat brewery –mustard aloli, house bratwurst, house sauerkraut, red onion and cheese – yum.

More on West End Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest in the Pacific Northwest

Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and has been updated.
Lauren Braden’s new book, 52 Ways to Nature, Washington: Your Seasonal Guide to a Wilder Year, is now available

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