It’s time to break out the lederhosen + fill those steins — Oktoberfest events are coming back to San Diego County. We may be thousands of miles from Germany, but we are America’s craft beer capital , and that means we’re getting in on the fun.
Local celebrations roughly follow the same timeline as Munich’s festival
— meaning some start this weekend — but you’ve got a few weeks to make your way through our map of events
. Prost. 🍻
- AleSchmidt Oktoberfest Celebration | Fri., Sept. 16 + Sat., Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. | AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct. | Free | Two days of events, including a polka party, promotional steins, food, a SDSU football watch party + plenty of brews. 🍻
- Oktoberfest at The Brewery | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-6 p.m. | Eppig Brewing Bierhalle in Vista | Free | German-inspired brews, fun contests, and Bavarian everything. 🍻
- Stein Holding Contest | Sat., Sept. 17, Sat., Sept. 24 + Sat., Oct. 1 | 3-4 p.m. | Hidden Craft SD | Free | It’s stein time, winners get a 32-oz growler to go. 🍺
- Pure Brewing Oktoberfest Kickoff | Sat., Sept. 18 | Times vary | All Pure taprooms | Free | The brewer releases its seasonal stein + all locations will have a stein holding contest at 3 p.m. 🍺
- North Park Oktoberfest Beer Crawl | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 5-9 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Explore four breweries at your own pace — all offering specials — and get your card punched to win a prize. 💳
- Craftoberfest | Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Oct. 3 | 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. | Liberty Public Market | Free | San Diego’s only 10-day festival, offering food, live music, games + a tap takeover. 🎶
- Oktoberfest on the Harbor | Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Sept. 25 | 12 p.m. | Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten in Point Loma | Free | Bust out your finest Bavarian attire for this party featuring German-inspired craft brews, a pretzel-eating contest + steins . 🍻
- East Village Oktoberfest | Sat., Sept. 24 | 2-8 p.m. | Quartyard | $15+ | 20 beers on tap, German music + Munich-style foods. 🇩🇪
- Encinitas Oktoberfest | Sun., Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mountain Vista Drive, between Wandering + Rambling roads | Free | The 26th annual fest features local artisans, a biergarten, live music, dancing, carnival rides + an international food court. 🍻
- Oktoberfest at The Crossings | Fri., Sept. 30 | 4-8 p.m. | The Crossings at Carlsbad | $35+ | Beer tastings, costume contests, games, brats + live music. 🌭
- El Cajon Oktoberfest 2022 | Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 2 + Fri., Oct. 7-Sun., Oct. 9 | Times vary | 1017 S. Mollison Ave. | Free | Opening day includes a parade, keg tap, and the crowning of the Oktoberfest Queen; the fun continues through two weekends. 🥨
La Mesa preparing for its annual celebration.
Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday
- La Mesa Oktoberfest | Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 2 | Times vary | La Mesa Village | Free | Games, dancing, eats, vendors + most importantly, German beer. 🇩🇪
- Julian Oktoberfest | Sat., Oct. 1 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Julian Town Square + Town Hall | Free | A beer garden, sip + paint programs, bingo hours, food, and fun for all ages. 🎨
- Oktoberfest at the Welk | Sat., Oct. 1 + Sun., Oct. 2 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr. | Free | Family-friendly fun with food, music, rides for kids, and plenty of craft beer. 🎡
- Carlsbad Oktoberfest | Sat., Oct. 1 | 12-8 p.m. | Carlsbad Strawberry Company | $5+ | Get all the fall vibes at this family-friendly festival, including beer, music, a pumpkin patch + a corn maze 🎃
- Oktoberfest at One Paseo | Sat., Oct. 1 | 2-6 p.m. | The Lawn at One Paseo | $30+ | German fare, live music, games, a costume contest + curated tastes of brews, wine, and spirits. Prost. 🥨
- Surftoberfest | Sat., Oct. 1 | 5:30-10:30 p.m. | Oceanside Moose Lodge | $10+ | Local beer, local bands + German foods — proceeds benefit the Women’s Resource Center. 🏄♂️
- Ocean Beach Oktoberfest | Fri., Oct. 7 + Sat., Oct. 8 | Times vary | Newport Avenue by the beach | Free | Beer gardens, live music + a brat eating contest. 🏝️
- Ramona Motorcycle Rally 2022 | Fri., Oct. 14-Sun., Oct. 16 | Times vary | Ramona Outdoor Community Center | $15+ | Enjoy Oktoberfest beers and food trucks during band nights on Friday + Saturday. 🏍️
- Oktoberfest by Junior League of San Diego | Sat., Oct. 15 | 2-6 p.m. | Tin Roof | $25 | Beer, food, music + costumes — proceeds help JLSD fight food insecurities. 🍺
- Weihenstephaner Beer Dinner | Wed., Oct. 19 | 5 p.m. | JRDN Restaurant | $130 | A four-course Oktoberfest fest paired with beer to match. 🥙