While some may not be ready to let summer go, beer fans can rest easy as Oktoberfest season is underway. Bavarian fun will begin next weekend in Beaver Creek, followed by more events in mountain towns, the metro area, and local craft breweries.
Bust out your lederhosen for thrilling games, bouncy polka tunes, and tons of traditional fare. Vendors will be dishing out giant pretzels, spaetzle, sauerkraut-topped bratwurst, and much more to pair with your Märzen. Revel in the excitement and raise a stein at these Oktoberfest celebrations across Colorado.
Oktoberfest Events Around Denver
September 6: Gluten-Free Oktoberfest at Holidaily Brewing Company
Generally, beer and Bavarian fare are off-limits to those with wheat allergies. But all can enjoy the celebration at Holidaily, one of the area’s few gluten-free breweries. Its event on Saturday, September 6 will feature an Oktoberfest beer tapping, stein-holding contests, live music, and gluten-free bites from Crestone Bakery, The Savage Beet, and more local vendors. Festivities at its Golden taproom will be available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 801 Brickyard Cir., Golden, holidailybrewing.com
September 13: Highlands Oktoberfest and Market
The Highlands Oktoberfest will return on Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — and now, with a wiener dog race! Watch the hounds hustle down 32nd Avenue and take part in keg bowling, stein hoisting, a costume contest, and kids’ activities. Polka performers and brass ensembles will add to the merriment, as will more than eighty craft vendors. Traditional Munich beers and Bavarian fare will round out the lively event (and your lederhosen, too). 32nd Ave. from Julian to Perry Streets, Denver, highlandsoktoberfest.com
September 13: Dogtoberfest at River North Brewery
Pups and pints will pour out of River North Brewery from 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 13. Its fifth annual Dogtoberfest has the usual traditions, like stein holding and German beer releases. But man’s best friend makes costume contests and games all the more fun. Browse the vendor booths for pet gear and treats, and reserve your free tickets in advance to get a complimentary beer tasting. 6021 Washington St., Denver, rivernorthbrewery.com
September 13: Oktoberfest on South Pearl Street
During the Oktoberfest celebration on South Pearl Street, 10 local breweries will serve bright lagers and bold Bavarian brews. Hoist your stein, come hungry for the brat-eating contest, and wear your best costume to the family-friendly affair. Live music and more festivities will take place from 12 to 10 p.m on Saturday, September 13. Colorado Ave. and South Pearl Street, Denver, southpearlstreet.com
September 13: Oktoberfest at Wynkoop Brewing Company
As one of the state’s first craft breweries, Wynkoop goes all out for Oktoberfest. The celebration on Saturday, September 13 kicks off at 2 p.m. with a pretzel helmet toss, followed by stein holding, a costume contest, and a challenge to eat the most beer brats. Savor other specials like spaetzle with jägerschnitzel, along with pints of Russell’s Märzen and more German-style beers. Through 8 p.m., a folksy polka band will also appear at this event, which is free to attend but encourages reservations. 1634 18th St., Denver, wynkoop.com
September 19 to 21 and 26 to 28: Denver Oktoberfest
For two weekends every fall, the Ballpark District transforms into a Bavarian festival full of exciting activities. General admission is entirely free. But between competitive stein hoisting, keg bowling, and wowing the crowd during the talent show, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Pig out during the sausage-eating contest ($10) or opt for the VIP pass (from $100) to get bottomless bites and pints. Live music and the annual Long Dog Derby add reasons to attend. Larimer and 21st Streets, Denver, thedenveroktoberfest.com
September 20: Oktoberfest Block Party at Joyride Brewing Company
This Edgewater brewery will host its inaugural Oktoberfest block party from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 20. Pair a bratwurst with special taps including its Helles, Märzen, Schwarzbier, and award-winning Ice Cutter Kölsch. Oom-pah from The Polkanauts and party jams from Jockey Box will set the soundtrack, while yard games and a stein-holding competition will keep attendees entertained. 2501 Sheridan Blvd., Edgewater, joyridebrewing.com
September 20 to 21: Give-toberfest and Bark-toberfest at Lady Justice Brewing Company
All revelers are welcome at Lady Justice, one of the state’s few queer-run craft breweries. Stop by its Englewood taproom on September 20 to support its Give-toberfest event. In addition to a stein-holding competition, four local nonprofits will pop up from 2 to 6 p.m. and a portion of beer sales will benefit their work. Bark-toberfest will follow the next day from 2 to 4 p.m., hosted by local drag queen favorite Talia Tucker. Dress your pooch in their best dirndl for a chance to win the adorable doggie fashion show. 3242 S. Acoma St., Englewood, ladyjusticebrewing.com
September 26 to 27: Oktoberfest at Left Hand Brewing Company
Left Hand Brewing Company will come alive during this two-day celebration in Longmont. Friday will kick off the festivities with a special Oktoberfest tapping, along with toe-tapping tunes from three bluegrass bands between 5 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $10 and kids 12 and under are free. Traditional folk bands will follow on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., as will competitions for the best costume, stein-holding stamina, and most brats devoured. Entry costs $5 and is complimentary for children. 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont, lefthandbrewing.com
September 26 to 28: Colorado Springs Oktoberfest
Join the 13th annual Colorado Springs Oktoberfest at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry. Starting at $35 per person, daily workshops will spotlight the unique characteristics of German beers, wines, and schnapps. Belly up to the bar with your new knowledge and maybe even hold up your stein during the festival’s competition. Costume contests, a cornhole tournament, an exciting Dachshund Dash, and even yodeling performances will also take place, as will a bake-off with German cake, strudel, and cookie categories. General admission is free, though parking costs $15. 130 E. Kiowa St., Colorado Springs, csoktoberfest.com
September 27 to 28: Oktoberfest at Prost Biergarten LoHi
Though you can experience German culture year-round at Prost, the energy is especially high during Oktoberfest. Visit its LoHi location on Saturday, September 27 for a ceremonial Festbier tapping, followed by live music, stein-hoisting contests, biergarten games, and Dachshund races on Sunday. This brewpub also serves some of the best Bavarian food in town, from its Giant Pretzels ($10.25) and Sausage Board ($26.95) to Spaetzle Mac and Cheese ($12.25). Festivities will also take place at its Highlands Ranch taproom on September 20 to 21, as well as its Northglenn outpost on October 4 and 5. Multiple locations, prostbrewing.com
September 27 to 28: Oktoberfest and Green Chili Cookoff at Zymos Brewing
Following the release of its festbier on Saturday, September 27, Zymos Brewing will add some Colorado flavor to its celebration. Enter your best green chile into Sunday’s cook-off competition for a chance to win a free daily beer for the next year. Upbeat polka tunes and amusing games will add to the weekend’s events. 5180 S. Lowell Blvd., Littleton, zymosbrewing.com
October 4: Oktoberfest Templeton Gap
Head to Whistle Pig Brewing Company in Colorado Springs to sample crisp and malty beers from several local breweries. Unlimited six-ounce tastings cost $40. Oktoberfest Templeton Gap will also feature an entire tent dedicated to non-alcoholic German-style beers, with its pass priced at $25. Visitors can also expect a German food menu and polka music, plus contests dedicated to costumes, stein holding, and keg rolling. Activities will occur on Saturday, October 4 between 2 and 7 p.m. 2117 Templeton Gap Rd., Colorado Springs, whistlepigbrewing.com
Oktoberfest Events in the Mountains
August 29 to 31: Beaver Creek Oktoberfest
This mountain town will ring in the state’s Oktoberfest celebrations on Friday, August 29. Dance to traditional songs from Trachtenkapelle of Lech, Austria (a sister city to Beaver Creek) and lively accordion tunes by Helmut Fricker. Classic rock hits will also accompany the weekend, as will costume, stein-lifting, hammerschlagen, and bratwurst-eating contests. Hungry visitors will find plenty of options, including Bavarian-inspired takes on American classics and six bars serving Stiegl beers. VIP tickets are sold out, but free general admission still guarantees plenty of fun throughout the Village Green. Beaver Creek Plaza, Avon, beavercreek.com
August 30: Keystone Oktoberfest
Toast to the start of Labor Day weekend at Keystone Oktoberfest, happening on Saturday, August 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This celebration is particularly family-friendly with children’s polka classes, a root beer-hoisting contest, make-and-take crafts, and more Kinderfest activities. Meanwhile, all ages will enjoy the Bavarian music and fare. Buy by the dish or opt for a food pass ($30) valid for six vendor items. Commemorative steins ($45) are also available and include three craft beers, plus $5 refills. River Run Village, Keystone, keystonefestivals.com
September 5 to 6: OktoberWest at Steamboat Ski Resort
OktoberWest begins on Friday, September 5 with a beer stroll through downtown Steamboat Springs. Purchase a ticket for $39.09 and sip local ales from participating restaurants. The main event will follow on Saturday, with VIP access ($82.35) starting at 1 p.m. and general admission ($61.75) from 2 to 6 p.m. Premium pass holders will help judge the annual beef cook-off and both ticket tiers include unlimited beer samples. Exciting games, live music, and a holiday vendor market will add to the fun. 2305 Mt. Werner Cir., Steamboat Springs, steamboat.com
September 5 to 7 and 12 to 14: Vail Oktoberfest
If not Munich, where better to celebrate Oktoberfest than this Bavarian-inspired mountain town? Its fiftieth annual event will take place from September 5 to 7 in Lionshead and September 12 to 14 in Vail Village. Both weekends are free to attend and will feature classic competitions like keg bowling, stein holding, best costume, and a battle to eat the most Polidori bratwursts. Visitors can also dine on warm pretzels, schnitzel, and a fine selection of Steigl beer while enjoying traditional dance performances. Polka bands will be joined by legendary local Helmut Fricker, who will take the stage to showcase his signature yodel. Lionshead Village and Vail Village, Vail, oktoberfestvail.com
September 12 to 14: Breckenridge Oktoberfest
Don your dirndl and lederhosen for a weekend of fun in Breckenridge. On Friday, September 12 at 2 p.m., the event will commence with a keg tapping ceremony. Fill your mug with a roasty Oktoberfest lager from Breckenridge Brewery, a light hefeweizen from Launch Pad Brewery, or a pilsner from Germany’s own Paulaner München. The indulgence of beer and traditional fare is offset by a themed 5k trail run through autumn’s yellow aspens. Stein hoisting, folk tunes, and more entertainment will enhance the festivities. Main Street, Breckenridge, gobreck.com
September 14: Oktoberfest at Purgatory Resort
Head southwest for this slopeside celebration happening on Sunday, September 14 from 12 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and include a custom beer mug, plus a complimentary first round from Steamworks, Ska, and several other local craft breweries. This party at Purgatory Resort will also feature German bites, traditional games, and a festive oom-pah beat from live polka performers. Visitors can skip the designated driver debate, as round-trip shuttle transportation between Durango is available for $15. 1 Skier Pl., Durango, purgatory.ski
September 20 to 21: Oktoberfest at Arapahoe Basin
This weekend bash at A-Basin will feature fantastic beer, face-sized pretzels, and plenty of all-ages fun. Purchase items individually or opt for the Oktoberfest package ($32.90) which includes an exclusive stein and two drink tickets. Free chair lift rides will also be available, allowing families to make a day of the event. Enjoy the disc golf course, hit the trails on foot or bike, and dance along to live Austrian folk bands. Activities will be available from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. 28194 Hwy. 6, Dillon, arapahoebasin.com
