Discover the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the Coachella Valley!
Oktoberfest dates back to the 1800s, when a royal wedding garnered mass attention. The celebration of love between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen led to a five-day party in the fields of Munich. The festivities wrapped up with a horse race, but the October celebration would live on for centuries.
Over time, Oktoberfest began to look like the festivities we see today. Farmers used the outdoor event to showcase and sell local vegetables, which eventually led to the addition of food and drink stands. This is, of course, where the beer came into play, which the current iteration of Oktoberfest is best known for.
Oktoberfest has spread from Germany all over the world. Palm Springs may not be the first city you think of for the festivities, but if you look hard enough, you can find activities across the Coachella Valley throughout October. From a themed Firebirds game to massive celebrations, if you’re willing to take a little drive out of town you won’t be disappointed this fall!
Oktoberfest night at the Firebirds game
Location: 75702 Varner Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92211
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are the American Hockey League’s affiliate team for the Seattle Kraken. Often, players from the AHL team will be called up to the NHL team, and vice versa. It’s a great environment to see upcoming hockey stars or watch older legends playing in the league. This year, the team will celebrate Oktoberfest with a special game night event.
On Oct. 23, during the opening month of the hockey season, the Firebirds will be facing off against the San Jose Barracuda. The game will be Oktoberfest-themed with a special tasting available with an upgraded ticket.
This upgrade includes a Firebirds plastic beer mug, a beer or soda of your choice, and a pretzel at the concessions stand, entrance to the pre-game Oktoberfest event, and, of course, a ticket to the hockey game. You can purchase these tickets from the team’s website.
The puck drops at 7 p.m., with the pre-game fest taking place a few hours before the game starts.
Indio Brewing’s annual Oktoberfest celebration
Location: 82900 Ave 42 Unit G111, Indio, CA 92203
Indio Brewing made history as the city’s first craft brewery. It opened in July 2025, and one of its first seasonal events was held for Oktoberfest. The celebration was so successful that they’re running it back again this year.
The festivities will be held on Sept. 26 this year, and the menu couldn’t be more exciting. There will be two German drafts to try and a wide range of German food to choose from, like bratwurst, pretzels with beer cheese, and hot links, served by local food vendor Tacos & Burgers.
Along with the delicious German fare, there will be fun and games. From costume and stein-holding contests to a chance to learn how to make a necklace out of pretzels, there is something for everyone.
Indio Brewing opens its doors at 2 p.m., with festivities starting at 4 p.m. Keep an eye on the bar’s Instagram for the release of times for the costume and stein-holding contests. Even children and dogs have categories in the costume contest, so bring the whole family!
La Quinta Brewing Co.’s 10th annual Oktoberfest celebration
Location: 74714 Technology Dr., Palm Desert, CA
La Quinta Brewing Co. doesn’t play when it comes to Oktoberfest. This year marks a decade since they began the annual festivities, and it’s become a community staple. The bar has two locations, one in Palm Desert and a taproom in Palm Springs. The Oktoberfest celebration is at the Palm Desert location, which is family-friendly.
They go all-out for the occasion. Arrive at 4:30 p.m. to see a live Bavarian rock band called Hazelnuss. At 6:00 p.m., there will be a costume contest that is open to everyone in the family. Of course, there will also be a stein-holding contest at La Quinta. They encourage everyone to wear their best lederhosen to enjoy delicious authentic German food and beer.
The event starts at 4:30 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m., with completely free entry. The special Oktoberfest menu will be served all day with several beers and bites available. Parking is limited, so La Quinta recommends taking public transport or ride-sharing.
Dine at Alps Village
Location: 77734 Country Club Dr f, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Year-round, you can dine at an authentic German restaurant in Palm Desert. Alps Village is family-owned and operated, inspired by the traditional food that the restaurant’s lead, Blanka Sanin’s mother, would make. Stopping in during Oktoberfest will feel like you’re in Europe, not Palm Desert.
The restaurant’s menu is impressive and includes traditional eats like German schnitzel, house-made sauerkraut, ćevapčići, cabbage rolls, and goulash. Of course, they offer a range of delicious desserts like baklava and apple strudel, along with an impressive list of European beers, wines, and signature cocktails to pair with your meal.
It doesn’t appear that Alps Village has anything special planned for Oktoberfest, but supporting the restaurant during the season will give you a true taste of Germany. They are open Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9:30 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.
Riverside County’s Official Oktoberfest Celebration
Location: 650 W. Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont, CA 92223
If you are willing to make the drive to Beaumont, you can attend the county’s largest and longest-running Oktoberfest celebration. The 36th annual King Ludwig’s Oktoberfest will be hosted in Noble Creek Regional Park. This event is unlike any of the other festivities in the area. Instead of being confined to a bar, the party is in a park with a ton of open space.
Like the other events, there will be traditional German food, a lot of beer, a stein-holding contest, and live music. However, they also have a wiener dog race if you have a dachshund or are a fan of the breed (I fall into this category). Market stalls will also line the park, allowing attendees to browse local sellers and artists.
It runs the weekend of Sept. 25 to 27, with hours varying by day. On Friday, the event runs from 5 to 11 p.m, on Saturday 2 to 11 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. More information will be shared on the website closer to the big weekend.
