Southern California will soon be awash in imported beer as a wave of Oktoberfest celebrations sweeps across the region.
Big Bear Lake, one of the largest and longest festivals, will lead off on Saturday, Sept. 9, before the original Oktoberfest starts in Munich on Sept. 16.
“Everything here is called Oktoberfest, and people here mainly celebrate around that time,” said musician Kathrin Jakob, who was born and raised in Bavaria. “In Germany, Oktoberfest is only the actual Oktoberfest in Munich, and everything else is called a Volksfest. We have them throughout the year, starting in spring. Oktoberfest is really the last of the year.”
U.S. festivals commonly include German beer and foods such as bratwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels, cosplay in dirndls and lederhosen, oompah bands playing polkas and pop music, and games such as stein-holding contests.
The appeal is simple, according to Jakob, a singer and yodeler with Ladyhosen, an all-female quartet that performs with accordion, tuba and drum and also gives yodeling lessons. In coming weeks, the group will be at several festivals throughout Southern California, including Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Long Beach.
“People like to have the excuse to have fun and drink,” Jakob said in a phone interview. “People love other countries’ holidays and getting a sense of what it’s like to be in another country.”
Like most Southern California Oktoberfests, their shows are a mixture of German tradition and U.S. pop. “We even have a Britney Spears medley,” she said.
“We start with more traditional stuff. We incorporate a little bit of Bavarian knowledge into our shows, and we also like to do some small yodel lessons and have people come up on stage with us.”
The number of local festivals dwindled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but most of them came back last year. One that won’t be returning this year is the Phoenix Club festival in Anaheim, according to its website. The club has been displaced by the OCVibe development and is in the process of relocating. It is currently operating out of temporary offices in Brea.
Some craft brewers create special Oktoberfest beers for retail or have special events in their taprooms. Some have free admission, and some have online registration. Check the details on their websites before going.
Here are some events to look for throughout Southern California.
Multiweek festivals
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Convention Center of Big Bear Lake, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake; 909-585-3000, bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest; Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9-Nov. 4.
The festival will mark its 53nd year in the San Bernardino Mountains. It boasts two full-service bars indoors and four outdoor beer gardens, including a tiki bar. Imported beers on tap will include Spaten, Franziskaner, Warsteiner and Konig Ludwig. German sausages, sauerkraut, strudel and pretzels. One specialty is the Brat Burger, a beef patty topped with bratwurst and served between two pretzels.
There will be two bands from Germany: Bohemian Street Musicians and the Aalbachtal Express.
This is a family-friendly event with a play area and kids’ games.
General admission will be $18-$32, depending on the date. Seniors age 62 and older get in for $12-$21. Children 3-12 get in for $5-$12.
U.S. military and first responders will get free general admission Sept. 9-10, Sept. 16-17 and Nov. 4.
Fairplex presents Oktoberfest
Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona; fairplex.com/events/oktoberfest; Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-21.
Festivities will include German music, tribute bands and a DJ, according to the venue’s website.
This event is for people 21 years and older.
Admission is $14 in advance, $17 day of event and $22 at the gate. Admission, parking and alcohol sales are all card only.
Combo tickets that include the Fairplex’s “Lights Out” Halloween haunt are $29.99.
Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest
Lake Arrowhead Village, 28200 State Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead; lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com; Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16-Oct. 29.
Festivities will include stein-holding contests, dance parties, children’s games and music by oompah bands Ladyhosen and the Kalifornia Krauts.
Admission is free, but to drink beer or wine attendees must buy a “Starter Package” for $22. It includes a commemorative mug. Also, table reservations run $25-$100.
Dancing on tables isn’t allowed, according to the website.
Long Beach Oktoberfest
855 Elm Ave., Long Beach; longbeachoktoberfest.org; Friday through Sunday, Sept. 29 through Oct. 22.
Third annual Oktoberfest boasts beers such as Paulaner Festbier and Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier, German food and live entertainment by Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts.
Friday and Saturday nights, 5-10 p.m. are adults only. Daytime Saturday, noon-5 p.m. is all ages, and and Sunday, noon to 7 p.m., is family day, according to the website.
General admission is $20. $150 VIP admission includes gauranteed seating, a plate of food, five beverage tickets and a souvenir stein.
Old World Village Oktoberfest
Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach, 7561 Center Ave., No. 49, Huntington Beach; oldworldhb.com; Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 17-Nov. 5.
Old World Village brings a little bit of Bavaria to the beach year-round, and is in its glory during Oktoberfest. The party takes place five nights a week with music from a German band, the Bluebirds, a parade on Sept. 24; a wide range of beers, including Paulaner; and foods that include bratwurst with potato salad and baked chicken.
Wednesdays and Thursdays are family nights with free admission. Friday and Saturday are for age 21 and older with $10-$40 admission, depending on the day. Sundays are family days with $10-$12 admission.
Santa Anita Oktoberfest
Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia; santaanita.com/event/entertainment/oktoberfest; Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14-22.
This event combines beer and Bavarian festivities with horse racing. There will also be games such as stein-holding contests throughout the day.
General admission is $26 presale through Sept. 22 and includes eight 3-ounce beer tastings, a miniature stein and a $5 betting voucher.
Single day or weekend festivals
King Ludwig’s Oktoberfest
Noble Creek Park, 650 W. Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont; bcvparks.com/oktoberfest; Sept. 15-17.
Festivities include a biergarten, food vendors, live entertainment, wiener dog races and a kids zone.
Montrose Oktoberfest
2200-2400 blocks, Honolulu Ave., Montrose; oktoberfest.montrosechamber.org; noon-10 p.m., Oct. 7.
Festivities include oompah and cover bands, games and rides. Food includes brats and turkey legs. Beverages include German beers and craft brews. Admission is free.
Oktoberfest in Downtown Downey
11024 Downey Ave., Downey; eventbrite.com; 3-9 p.m., Sept. 16.
Event boasts a beer garden, food trucks and vendors.
Redlands Oktoberfest
Sylvan Park, 601 University St., Redlands; redlandsoktoberfest.com; Oct 7-8.
Family-friendly event features German food and beer and live music.
Simi Valley Oktoberfest
Lemon Park, also known as Rancho Tapo Community Park, 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley; simioktoberfest.com; noon-5 p.m., Oct. 7.
Beer is included with a $40 general admission ticket at this Rotary Club fundraiser, according to the event website. There will be live music, German food and costumes.
Breweries and restaurants
Batch Mead: 42225 Remington Ave., No. A25, Temecula; batchmead.com; Meadobterfest, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7-22.
Black Market Brewing Co.: 41740 Enterprise Circle North,. No. 109. Temecula; eventbrite.com; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 30.
Brewery X: 3191 East La Palma Ave. Anaheim; brewery-x.com; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 23, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 24.
Common Space Brewery: 3411 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne; commonspace.la, vegtoberfestla.com; Vegtoberfest, plant-based Oktoberfest Celebration, Sept. 9, Sept. 25.
GameCraft Brewing: Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills; gamecraftbrewing.com; Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 16-Nov. 5.
Hamilton Family Brewery: 9757 Seventh St., No. 802, Rancho Cucamonga; hamilton.beer; noon Sept. 30.
Hops and Spokes Brewing Co.: 34324 Yucaipa Blvd., Suite A, Yucaipa; hopsandspokes.com; 7-10 p.m. Oct. 6.
Last Name Brewing: 2120 Porterfield Way, Upland; lastnamebrewing.com; noon-10 p.m. Sept. 23.
Long Beach Beer Lab: 518 W. Willow St., Long Beach; lbbeer.com; noon-5 p.m. Oct. 15.
Radiant Beer Co.: 1566 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim; radiantbeer.com; Sept. 15-17.
SteelCraft Bellflower: 16500 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower; steelcraftlb.com; 2-10 p.m. Sept. 30; 5-10 p.m. Oct. 14.
SteelCraft Garden Grove: 12900 S. Euclid St., Garden Grove; steelcraftlb.com; 2-10 p.m. Oct. 21.
SteelCraft Long Beach: 3768 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach; steelcraftlb.com; Oct. 7.
The District at Tustin Legacy: 2437 Park Ave., Tustin; eventbrite.com; night market, 5-9 p.m. Sept. 21.
Wurstküche: 625 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles; wurstkuche.com; Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30-Oct. 22.
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