Oktoberfest, Michigan-style: 11 festivals & events across the state
Get ready to don your dirndls, because from keg rolling races to authentically brewed German beer, Michigan’s Oktoberfests offer fall fun you won’t want to miss!
Oktoberfest in Michigan is a big deal. And it makes all the sense in the world—the state is renowned for things like its beer production, areas of German heritage (Frankenmuth, we’re looking at you), and a general appreciation for the relief that fall brings. Plus, as a farming-heavy state, Oktoberfest is often a celebration of the year’s harvest too.
Michigan’s Oktoberfest events encompass everything from adult-only activities like beer tents and dancing to family-friendly festivities with kid-favorites like bounce houses, face-painting, and of course, root beer. Check out these fun and festive Oktoberfest events across Michigan that are kicking off the fun as early as September! (Because we all know that in Michigan, if you wait for October to celebrate Oktoberfest, you might get snowed out!)
1. St. Joseph Oktoberfest (Sept. 12-14)
- Address: DeSales Park, 1828 Jay Street, 48207, Detroit, MI
- Cost: Free
A local event hosted through St. Joseph’s parish in Detroit, Mich., which boasts a Victorian Gothic edifice dating back to 1873, the community’s Oktoberfest has grown in popularity every year, now attracting over 1,000 visitors statewide.
The festival features German-inspired food, beer, and live music, and classic Oktoberfest competitions, like the famous steinholding competition for men and women—the events are actually qualifiers for the official Michigan Championships under the U.S. Steinholder Association. (Who knew such a thing even existed, am I right?)
Non-Steinholder competitors can still enjoy plenty of family-friendly activities at the festival, including a full lineup of family carnival rides, food, a German Heritage Church and Architecture Tour, and a raffle + 50/50 drawing.
2. Canterbury Village Oktoberfest (Sept. 13-14)
- Address: Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Rd. Lake Orion, MI
- Cost: $5 cash ($6 card)
Get the whole family out and over to Lake Orion, Michigan, for a weekend full of live music, a premier polka band, and of course, a DJ for dancing. The entire village is open for kids of all ages to enjoy, but there are also some special adult (21 and up) only events that involve, well, a lot of beer.
Some of the friendly competitive events include Fassrollen (Barrel Rolling Race), Masskrugstemmen (Stein Holding Competition, Best Dressed Contest, Beer Stein Racing, Hammerschlagen (Competitive Nailing), and a Sausage Eating Contest. When you’ve had your fill of beer, brats, and pretzels, don’t forget to stroll around the village and check out the many shops open.
3. Frankenmuth Oktoberfest (Sept. 18-21)
- Address: Heritage Park, 601 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI
- Cost: $10 per person per day; Kids under 15 free; Sunday is free all day
As Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth, it could be argued, celebrates Oktoberfest all year long, but the fall season is when the festivities really kick up a notch. The entire town is constructed as a replica of a German town, from its architecture to its food and fare. Frankenmuth even hosts 5,000 people in its German beer hall-inspired pavilion (“real” German beer halls can hold 10,000-20,000 people).
Families can look forward to official Frankenmuth Oktoberfest festivities spanning four days that include polka dancing on the wooden dance floor, authentic German food and beer, weiner dog races, live music, and tons of kids’ events.
The history of Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth is a fascinating one: The city explains that in 1996, Lord Mayor Christian Ude of Germany officially sanctioned the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest celebration, making it the only city outside of Munich to receive such an honor. In homage, Munich-based brewer Hofbrauhaus became the official sponsor of Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest, making it the first city in the U.S. to import the German Beer.
4. Saline Main Street’s 20th Annual Oktoberfest (Sept. 19-20)
- Address: 109 W Michigan Ave, Saline, MI
- Cost: Free
Historic downtowns in Michigan are a beloved piece of our state’s heritage, and Saline, Michigan, has a long-standing history as a key small town in our state. Named for the salt that was once prevalent in the area, Saline was an important stop on the Chicago train route, which helped the small town grow.
While Saline remains a small town with a population of under 10,000 today, the town celebrates Oktoberfest in a big way. As the festival’s official website declares, visitors often come for the beer and the pretzels, but stay for the live music and games. If you plan on stopping in, be sure to be there Friday night, when the festivities kick off with the official tapping of the Golden Keg.
5. Blackrocks Oktoberfest (Sept. 20)
- Address: 424 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855
- Cost: Free
Don your dirndls and head on up to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to check out all the gorgeous sights and sounds of fall, while enjoying some authentic German beer and food at this Oktoberfest in Marquette. The event, held at Blackrocks Brewery in downtown Marquette, is a “celebration of beer,” and features German music, commemorative steins, a stein-holding competition, hammerslagen (this is a German drinking competition involving nailing nails into a wooden log, for those unaware, as I was), and food vendors.
6. Rochester Mills Oktoberfest (Sept. 26-27)
- Address: 400 Water St., Rochester, MI 48307
- Cost: Free
The festivities at Rochester Mills kick off Thursday night with the ceremonial tapping of the beer keg and continue over the weekend with authentic German music, a full German food menu, and contests such as stein-holding and Sauerkraut eating competitions. You might want to pack some breath mints for this one…
7. Oktoberfest Grand Rapids (Sept. 26-27)
- Address: Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
- Cost: Free
Know what we love more than Oktoberfests in Michigan? Free Oktoberfests in Michigan, of course! The annual Oktoberfest event in Grand Rapids is totally free and family-friendly, so bring the whole crew out. The weekend celebrating German heritage features authentic German beer for the above-21 crowd and brewed root beer for the kids and sober folks.
Games and contests abound, including Keg Rolling (this is one you have to see to appreciate, truly), Stein Holding Contests, a Trachten contest, and Dachshund racing. Younger kiddos can also enjoy professional bounce houses and special traditional games. Along with German food, the festivities also feature live music from groups such as Edelweiss Choir and Ein Prosit German Band.
8. Traverse City GermanFest (Sept. 26)
- Address: 1003 South Maple Street, Traverse City, MI, 49684
- Cost: $28.29 tickets online
Held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City, the GermanFest is touted as an “Evening in Bavaria,” with plenty of German imported Hofbräu beer and imported German white and red wines, such as Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Dornfelder.
Attendees can stroll through the beer garden, enjoy an online and live auction, and feast their eyes (and mouths) on what just might be the largest strudel in the world!
9. Detroit Greektown Oktoberfest (Sept. 27)
- Address: Pub Crawl; Meet at The Well, 1228 Randolph St., Detroit, MI 48226
- Cost: starting at $15
This adults-only Oktoberfest is all about enjoying the beer scene in downtown Detroit. Tickets get festival-goers access to various Detroit bars with no cover charge to enjoy beer, food, and live music for an immersive party of bar-hopping to the best bars and venues.
There’s also a free after-party, drink specials, and on-site staff to help ensure a smooth, safe, and fun pub crawl experience.
10. Harbor Haus Oktoberfest (Sept. 27)
- Address: 77 Brockway Ave, Copper Harbor, MI 49918
- Cost: Food ranges $15.00-20.00, Beers $8.00-10.00
If you happen to be in the Copper Harbor area or want a more sit-down type of Oktoberfest, consider checking out the Harbor Haus for a lively and enjoyable dinner experience. The Harbor Haus event center overlooking Lake Superior is celebrating its version of Oktoberfest with live polka band “Jim Teal, the World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band,” authentic Bavarian cuisine, and German beer.
11. Detroit Fall Beer Festival (Oct. 25)
- Address: Michigan Brewers Guild, 120 N. Washington Sq, Ste 1050B, Lansing, MI 48933
- Cost: $60 per person in advance, $70 day of
While not an official Oktoberfest event, everyone knows that an authentic Oktoberfest experience centers around one thing and one thing only: craft beer. Which is why we had to include one of Michigan’s largest beer tastings: the Michigan Brewers Guild’s Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market.
The festival celebrates local craft beer, of course, but also offers local Detroit-area food and music up for sampling and enjoyment. Because the festival is all about the beer, children and pets are not permitted at this one.
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