Raise your stein to 8 Oktoberfest 2024 events across Florida
Immerse yourself in the spirit of gemütlichkeit at these Oktoberfest 2024 events happening throughout Florida this September and October.
Its origins span two centuries, tracing back to a festive 1810 ceremony honoring a royal marriage in Munich, Germany. These days, Oktoberfest is celebrated annually as an opportunity to recognize German heritage and enjoy beer, food, and Bavarian cordiality, or gemütlichkeit. In Munich, Oktoberfest is celebrated for two weeks each year — a frenzy of beer wagons, parades, folk dancing, and other amusements ending on the first Sunday in October — but never fear, you don’t need an international passport to enjoy all that Oktoberfest has to offer.
From South Florida north through the Panhandle, the Sunshine State’s Oktoberfest events promise delicious food and beer offerings, live entertainment, and cheerful community. Check out these Floridian Oktoberfest 2024 celebrations happening throughout September and October:
1. Winter Parktoberfest
The first annual Winter Parktoberfest — held September 14 from 5:30-10 p.m. at Mead Botanical Garden in central Florida’s Winter Park — promises a spirited celebration of Bavarian culture, including family-friendly activities, authentic cuisine by Hollerbach’s German Restaurant of nearby Sanford, an opening ceremony featuring Winter Park’s own mayor doing the honors of tapping the first keg, live music from The Brussel Sprouts German Polka Band, and of course, plenty of brews to sip on. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Winter Park, this event kicks off what’s sure to be a lasting legacy by offering the first 200 guests a commemorative gift. Don’t miss the Dachshund Dash at 5:30 p.m., in which dachshunds and other dog breeds will race for the gold medal.
2. Oktoberfest at the German American Society of Hollywood
Have you ever attended an event so joyous you wish you could turn back the clock to do it all over again? South Florida’s German American Society of Hollywood offers three separate Oktoberfest celebrations from 6-11 p.m. on September 21, October 5, and October 19, respectively, so visitors can return throughout the autumn season to get their fill of Bavarian treats and entertainment. Hosted at the German American Clubhouse, 6401 Washington St., this year’s Oktoberfest celebrations feature traditional Bavarian dancing from the Original Auerhahn Schuhplattlers of Miami and live music from Germany’s own Blaskapelle Lüchtringen wind band in addition to a full bar and a bevy of German food offerings.
3. Pinetoberfest
A suburban village located about 15 miles south of downtown Miami, Pinecrest will hold its second annual Pinetoberfest Beer Festival on September 21 from 6-10 p.m. at Evelyn Greer Park. A celebration of all things hoppy, Pinetoberfest features beer offerings from more than 40 local and international breweries. Live musical performances and DJ sets will keep energy levels high as attendees compete in classic games. Prefer to skip the rowdy crowds who are sure to close out the event? Purchase a VIP ticket, which guarantees early admission and unlimited beer tastings, or opt for the craft beer experience, which offers an intimate, expert-guided tour through craft brews paired with small bites in the air-conditioned Evelyn Greer Park Meeting Room.
4. Oviedo Oktoberfest
The last weekend in September is sure to be a celebratory time for those central Floridians attending Oviedo Oktoberfest, happening from September 26-28 at the Oviedo Amphitheater and Cultural Center. This free festival offers beer lovers a true golden ticket: punch cards valid for the entirety of the three-day festival, which allow guests to avoid waiting in long lines to purchase both their favorite brews and commemorative glassware. Live entertainment at Oviedo Oktoberfest includes sets from King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band and Orlando Trachtenverein, a local dance troupe that performs traditional Bavarian schuhplattler steps.
5. Oktoberfest at the German American Society of Central Florida
Casselberry-area fans of beer and bratwurst will have two opportunities to indulge in all things Oktoberfest when the German American Society of Central Florida hosts a pair of celebrations in their biergarten and alpine clubhouse from 12-10 p.m. on October 5 and 26. Oktoberfest at the German American Society offers filling and authentic German meals from Oma’s, or Grandma’s, Kitchen each day from noon to 8 p.m., while dessert items and bratwursts are available through closing time. Other activities include live music and traditional dancing, a “kids’ korner,” and a flag parade saluting German-American heritage.
6. Oktoberfest Pinellas
The German American Friendship Society of Pinellas County was originally set to host its annual Oktoberfest celebrations on September 27 and 28, as well as October 4 and 5, at the German-American Society, 8098 66th St. N., Pinellas Park. However, due to weather, the celebrations have been pushed to the weekends of October 4-5 and 11-12.
This year’s festivities promise a bounty of made-from-scratch, traditional German foods — schnitzel, anyone? — plus desserts, coffee, and beer. A bier stein-holding contest may produce fierce competition, while a kinder corner promises to keep your youngest occupied with games and activities. The Gulf Coast Enzianer Schuhplattler Verein will perform traditional dances, and each night ends with a raffle and live musical performances.
7. Beaches Oktoberfest
The 9th annual Beaches Oktoberfest, held October 11-12 at 75 1st St. N. in Jacksonville Beach, transforms the classic German festivities into a full-out music festival. Featuring a pair of stages housing live sets from Gym Class Heroes (whose hit songs “Cupid’s Chokehold” and “Stereo Hearts” were inescapable on rock radio during the early 2010s), The Hip Abduction, Tropidelic, Ballyhoo!, and more, Beaches Oktoberfest pairs the modern with the traditional. That doesn’t mean you won’t find plenty of customary Oktoberfest offerings: try your hand at the stein hoisting competition, indulge in some VIP treatment at the German Bierhalle experience (complete with live polka music), or stuff your face to win gold at the bratwurst eating competition.
8. Panama City Beach Oktoberfest
From October 18 to 20, Panama City Beach’s Aaron Bessant Park (located in Pier Park) transforms into an authentic German bierhalle. Step into the massive, 150-foot-by-50-foot tent modeled after Munich’s Hofbrauhaus, complete with German flags and old-fashioned chandeliers dripping from its rafters. Dance the night away to live music and DJ sets, or opt for activities like face painting, a stein-hoisting contest, a tug of war, a best-dressed competition, and an alp horn-blowing contest. Panama City Beach Oktoberfest’s authentic German cuisine offerings include bratwurst and meterwurst, a sausage made from minced pork smoked with garlic, as well as hot dogs topped with sauerkraut and giant pretzels paired with beer-infused cheese. This year’s featured beers are Erdinger Weissbrau, a century-old wheat beer brewed exclusively in Germany, and Samuel Adams’ Octoberfest.
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