Oktoberfest 2024: Top events across Wisconsin
Discover Wisconsin’s best Oktoberfest 2024 celebrations featuring authentic German food, beer, live music, and more.
It’s the most wunderbar time of the year — Oktoberfest!
The first Oktoberfest took place in Munich on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Oktoberfest grew in the years that followed to include beer halls, parades, music, amusement rides, and other fun festivities. Eventually, U.S. cities — especially those with large German populations — began hosting their own Oktoberfest events, and today, you can find tons right here in Wisconsin.
From Madison and Milwaukee to La Crosse and Land O’ Lakes, the spirit of Bavaria is alive and well all throughout the Badger State. So break out your dirndls and lederhosen and get ready to indulge in authentic German cuisine, dance to live polka music, test your strength during a stein-holding contest, and, of course, enjoy plenty of beer.
Read on to discover the best Oktoberfest celebrations in Wisconsin. Prost!
Oktoberfest 2024 events in Southeast Wisconsin
Milwaukee Oktoberfest
Milwaukee Oktoberfest is a can’t-miss German heritage event. The 14th annual celebration will be held from October 4-6 at Cathedral Square in downtown Milwaukee.
The festival is free to attend and features tons of fun activities, including a brat-eating contest, a Miss Oktoberfest competition, a cornhole tournament, and a wiener dog beauty pageant. There will also be live music, German food, and of course, a bevy of beers.
Oktoberfest 2024
Oktoberfest 2024 calls itself Milwaukee’s original Oktoberfest and is celebrating its 60th annual event this year. This German-style soiree takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in September and the first weekend of October.
Located at the Bavarian Bierhaus in Heidelberg Park, this Oktoberfest is the place to be if you’re looking to sample a slew of traditional German eats. Bavarian pretzels, currywurst, doner kebab, spanferkel, schnitzel, and beef rouladen are all available, as well as kids’ and vegetarian options. In addition to beer and wine, you can also choose from a variety of Bavarian craft cocktails, radlers, and other “bier drinks.”
On Friday and Saturday, there’s also live music.
Germantown Hunsrucker Oktoberfest
With a name like Germantown, you know this village puts on a sehr gut Oktoberfest. This year marks the 30th Germantown Hunsrucker Oktoberfest, which is scheduled for September 28 and 29. Admission and parking are free, and you can expect a variety of German-style music, dancing, a silent auction, and fun family friendly activities.
Elkhorn Oktoberfest
Elkhorn Oktoberfest packs a lot of fun into a one-day event. On October 19, downtown Elkhorn will be transformed with brats, beers, and bands in celebration of Oktoberfest. There will be vendors selling German cuisine, beverages, and crafts, musical performances, an Oktoberfest 5K run/walk, and a classic car show.
Lake Geneva Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest by the lake? Count us in! Lake Geneva Oktoberfest is a family-friendly celebration of all things German. Taking place on October 12 and 13 in downtown Lake Geneva, this festival features a beer garden, artisan market, live entertainment, and delicious bites. Want to try your hand at competitive eating? Sign up for the pie-eating contest. Perhaps your pup is the competitive one. In that case, enter it in the dachshund race for a chance to win a goodie bag and other prizes.
Oktoberfest 2024 events in Southwest Wisconsin
Oktoberfest USA
La Crosse’s Oktoberfest celebration — dubbed Das Beste — is one you won’t want to miss. Oktoberfest USA is nominated for Best Oktoberfest by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2024, and it’s the Midwest’s longest-running Oktoberfest.
The 63rd annual Oktoberfest USA takes place from September 26-29 and features multiple parades, carnival rides, a craft beer night, live music, and themed games such as stein holdings and races. There’s plenty of fun for the whole family, from the senior breakfast on day one to student night to face painting and other kid-friendly activities.
Oktoberfest 2024 events in South-Central Wisconsin
The Edgewater Oktoberfest
On October 4, The Edgewater Hotel in Madison is hosting a German-style extravaganza on its Grand Plaza, a 30,500-square-foot outdoor space with gorgeous views of Lake Mendota.
The Edgewater Oktoberfest is free and open to the public, so you can partake in all the fun even if you aren’t a hotel guest. Treat yourself to German delicacies such as Hefeweizen beer brats, butterkase cheese spätzle, and schnitzel on a stick, a tasty, portable twist on the classic dish. There will also be live music and lots of beer.
New Glarus Oktoberfest
New Glarus — also known as America’s Little Switzerland — goes all out for its Oktoberfest celebration. New Glarus Oktoberfest, held from September 26-29, has all the typical Oktoberfest attractions and activities and then some. There’s a beer tent with food stalls, cheese tastings, chainsaw carving, a costume contest, kids events, and attractions, including a petting zoo, wagon rides, live music, and more.
New Glarus Brewing Company supplies the beer, with its renowned Oktoberfest Staghorn, some fan favorites, and a refreshing seltzer all on offer.
Oktoberfest 2024 events in East-Central Wisconsin
Appleton Oktoberfest
Appleton Oktoberfest is Appleton’s largest block party. Dubbed “a mile of fun,” this Oktoberfest celebration takes place along College Avenue. The event officially begins with a traditional Spaten beer toast on September 28, but if you want to start the party early, check out the License to Cruise classic car show on September 27. Sip on specialty craft or domestic beers and indulge in a range of tasty treats, including fried cheese curds, hot pretzels with cheese and mustard, brats, rolled ice cream, and more.
In the family fun area, you’ll find a bounce house, face painting, an interactive youth circus skills demonstration, and entertainment options for young festival goers.
Oktoberfest 2024 events in West-Central Wisconsin
Oktoberfest Chippewa Falls
Oktoberfest Chippewa Falls kicks off with an introduction of the Festmeister and Festmeisterin, followed by the tapping of a golden keg. This Oktoberfest party takes place at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds on September 20 and 21. Attendees will be treated to live entertainment on four stages, dancing, authentic German eats, and a keg rolling competition, as well as face painting and balloon artistry for the kids. The bierhaus will have plenty of brews on tap, too.
Oktoberfest 2024 events in North Wisconsin
Land O’ Lakes Oktoberfest
Land O’ Lakes Oktoberfest is a “traditional German beer festival with a twist.” Held on September 14, it will feature plenty of authentic food, German beer, polka music, a DJ, and a dance floor.
If you have a competitive side, be sure to check out the stein-holding contest, the best dirndl and lederhosen competition, the adult beverage-drinking contest, and the 50/50 raffle.