It’s September again, which means it’s time to celebrate Oktoberfest. Don’t let the seemingly mismatched months throw you. Historically, everybody’s favorite German festival has ended in October, and its start dates have shifted earlier through the centuries so revelers can enjoy warmer weather and longer daylight. So now is the time to put on your lederhosen and dirndl, raise a stein of beer, and celebrate Oktoberfest like you’re German. It’s a long way from Colorado to the mother fest in Munich, but Colorado Springs, the Front Range and mountain towns all over Colorado know how to throw down for the occasion. You can celebrate Oktoberfest every weekend of September and into October if you want.
Whether you’re looking to tap into your inner Bavarian or just enjoy some good old-fashioned German hospitality, here’s a full list of where you can check out one — or many — of Colorado’s Oktoberfest celebrations. Check out the whole list or jump to these sections:
Oktoberfest in Colorado Mountain Towns
Beaver Creek Oktoberfest
Sept. 4-6
Village Green and Terrace Lawn, Beaver Creek Resort
Beaver Creek has the first Oktoberfest of the season over Labor Day weekend. It’s three days of food, drinks and fun for the family in the beautiful ski resort setting. You’ll find lots of dirndl and lederhosen, competitions, German food and drinks and live music by the Vail Valley legend Helmut Fricker, as well as Austria’s Trachtenkapelle band and more.
Keystone Oktoberfest
Sept. 5
River Run Village, Keystone Resort
Keystone also celebrates on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. Their Bavarian-style fun for the whole family includes stein hoisting competitions for men, women and kids. You’ll also find live music, face painting, kid crafts and polka lessons. Check in at Warren Station for a-la-carte food tickets and to pick up your pre-ordered steins.
Vail Oktoberfest
Sept. 11-13 and 18-20
Lionshead and Vail Village, Vail
Oktoberfest at Vail is so big, it takes two full weekends. The lederhosen and dirndl are legit. The festival tents are huge. And Vail’s Bavarian village makes a perfect setting for one of Colorado’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations. The festivities include full schedules of Bavarian music featuring the Oktoberfest icon Helmut Fricker, The Polkanauts and many more.
There’s also yodeling, keg bowling, bratwurst-eating and more contests and festivities. Dance during the free concerts on Saturday nights, and let the kids play in the family zones. It’s also a beautiful time to be in the mountains, and you’re likely to see fall color glowing in the massive aspen groves surrounding Vail. For more tips and ideas for other activities, check out our Guide to a Summer of Fall Getaway in Vail.
Steamboat Oktoberwest
Sept. 11-12
Downtown and Steamboat Resort Base Area, Steamboat Springs
Oktoberwest is Steamboat’s way to welcome fall to the beautiful Yampa Valley. It’s more brewfest than Bavarian, but you’ll still see plenty of lederhosen and dirndl. Celebrate craft beer with about 30 brewers from Colorado and beyond. And enjoy crowd favorites like the beef cook-off, a games competition, family-friendly activities, a vendor market and optional on-site childcare.
Evergreen Oktoberfest
Sept. 19
Buchanan Park, Evergreen
The scenic little town of Evergreen hosts its Oktoberfest with fun for everyone. The Saturday afternoon festival includes live polka bands, gravity-defying stein-hoisting, giant beer-pong showdowns, mouthwatering bratwurst, axe-throwing thrills, costume contests, kids’ corner magic, photo booths and brewery pours.
humanitix.com/evergreen-oktoberfest
Breckenridge Oktoberfest
Sept. 25-27
Main Street, Breckenridge
Breck’s traditional mega fest is a full-blown three-day street party on historic Main Street with free admission. This is its 30th year, and it will feature the largest food and beverage selection ever, including new Aperol tents.
Breckenridge Oktoberfest always blends Bavarian tradition with Colorado mountain culture. Experience a Munich-like celebration with live music all day long and plenty of German-themed beer and cuisine. There is a wide variety of brews from Outer Range Brewing, Breckenridge Brewery, Scheider, Benediktiner and more, including plenty of nonalcoholic options. Play authentic German games and dance to live music by Los Otros, The Polkanauts, Those Austrian Guys and many more bands. Families can enjoy Breck’s largest Kids Zone ever all three days of the festival. The area will include a bounce house, face painting, and more. And for the first time, authentic handmade German dirndls, handmade flower crowns (blumenkranz), gingerbread hearts (lebkuchenherzen) and 2026 pins will be available for purchase.
Fall color should be brilliant, adding even more beauty to the festive mountain scene and making it a perfect pairing for leaf-peeping hikes, drives, bike rides and more. Follow Breck’s new Leaf Brief for updates on how the color is glowing.
Montrose Oktoberfest
Sept. 26
Montrose Rotary Amphitheater at Cerise Park
Head for the Western Slope to take in some prime fall color and celebrate all things Bavarian in Montrose. It’s a great way to sample live music, local food and craft breweries on the Western Slope. And you don’t want to miss the stein hoisting and stein relays.
La Veta Oktoberfest
Oct. 3
Main Street, La Veta
It’s about an hour and 40-minute drive down to Huerfano County, where La Veta turns itself German for the day. You’ll find a biergarten, live music, street dancing, arts and crafts, hot rod show and lots of vendors.
Oktoberfest in Colorado Springs & the Pikes Peak Region
Pawtoberfest
Sept. 12
Union Printers Hill
Oktoberfest goes to the dogs to benefit the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. This popular event returns to Union Printers Home at Printers Hill from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. As one of Colorado’s only dog-friendly festivals, Pawtoberfest features multiple pet contests. And for the humans, there’s music, food trucks and lots of craft brews and spirits to taste. Note that you must buy your tickets ahead.
Edelweiss Oktoberfest
Sept. 24 and Oct. 1
Edelweiss
The Springs’ leading German restaurant, Edelweiss, celebrates Oktoberfest one two weekends. There will be live music, games, German beers and, of course, a full menu of elevated authentic German food. Show up in traditional German attire and you’ll get a free commemorative mug.
Colorado Springs Oktoberfest
Sept. 25-27
Western Museum of Mining and Industry, Colorado Springs
This weekend-long fest is the Springs’ largest Oktoberfest. Live oompah music, wiener dog races, costume and stein-hoisting contests and more make for lots of Bavarian vibes. Admission is free. Then you pay for beer, stein and experience tickets, and parking. Pick your package, and you can enjoy Warsteiner and other beers from a stein or das boot. You can also take a deeper German dive by upgrading your experience with tickets to Beer, Wine or Schnapps Schule. There are also contests and competitions, including the Dachshund Dash.
Manitou Springs Heritage Brew Festival
Sept. 26
Fields Park, Manitou Springs
This one is part Oktoberfest, part fall fest and 100% Manitou. Dress in lederhosen and dirndl or wear your funkiest costume. It’s all good — good beer, good vibes, good times. You’ll find lots of live music, unique brews, food and more. The 11th annual event gathers local community and raises funds for the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum.
manitouspringsheritagecenter.org
Pikes Peak Oktoberfest
Sept. 29
Hillside Gardens
Hillside Gardens will transform into a Bavarian venue for a Tuesday in this second annual Oktoberfest. Dress in your lederhosen or dirndl, and enjoy authentic German fare, tunes and games. Test your strength in the stein-holding contest. Join or cheer on the competitors in the beard and mustache showdown. It will be all festive fun on a crisp autumn day.
Oktoberfest on the Farm
Oct. 3-4
Gather Mountain Blooms at Ventucci Farm
Gather Mountain Blooms flower farm also is hosting its second annual Oktoberfest family-friendly celebration with all the fall feels and Bavarian vibes. The weekend will be a mashup of seasonal favorites, including local craft beers, authentic German food, a kid zone, cornhole, tether ball, hayride, artisan craft market and of course flower picking and pumpkin picking.
Oktoberfest at Colorado Springs Breweries
Oktoberfest at Colorado Mountain Brewery
Sept. 19
Colorado Mountain Brewery, Interquest and Roundhouse
Break out your best lederhosen and dirndl and head for CM Brew — you could win free beer for a year! The family-friendly fest happens from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at both the Interquest and Roundhouse locations. Be sure to register early to get a spot in the Giant Pretzel Eating Contest or the Stein Holding Contest. Expect beer and food specials all afternoon, plus an Oktoberfest photo booth and more Bavarian-style fun.
Red Leg Brewing Company Oktoberfest
Sept. 19
Red Leg Brewing Company
Ready to get your lederhosen in a twist? Red Leg will be pouring its Wunder Bier Märzen, a traditional German amber lager brewed just for the season, along with all its regular brews alongside Bavarian fare from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be live polka music for dancing and contests like stein-holding, sausage toss, keg squat and Best Dressed at Oktoberfest. It’s family-friendly and free unless you want to upgrade to the VIP Experience.
Oktoberfest at South Park Brewing
Sept. 19
South Park Brewing
South Park Brewing decorates its taproom like a German Beer Hall with German music playing all day. Enjoy $5 German-style beer pours, featuring the Oktoberfest Lager and Munich Dunkel, with a commemorative mug. There’s also a special food menu including Jägerschnitzel, brats and their German smashburger.
Bristol’s Oktoberfest
Sept. 25-26
Bristol Brewing, Ivywild School
Get ready to raise your steins at Bristol Brewing’s first-ever two-day Oktoberfest! Friday, Sept. 25 is 21+ with Bavarian dancers, drinking games, contests, a polka DJ and Bristol’s special festbier. Bring the whole family on Saturday for German food, contests, live polka, Bavarian dancing and plenty of fun. General admission is free, but you can pay to get a VIP experience. Bonus, Bristol is tapping its annual Venetucci Pumpkin Ale early this year, so expect to see it at Oktoberfest if you’re looking for a seasonal mashup.
bristolbrewing.com/event/oktoberfest
Oktoberfest at Goat Patch Brewing
Sept. 26
Goat Patch Brewing, Lincoln Center
Immerse yourself in Bavarian tradition at the original Goat Patch location at Lincoln Center. There will be competitions and activities like the stein hoist, wiener toss and dog costume contest. Enjoy the upbeat tunes of Pourly Edukated and food truck eats all day 12-8 p.m.
JAKtoberfest Falcon
Sept. 26
JAKs Brewing Company, Falcon
JAKs has been throwing an Oktoberfest celebration at its original Falcon brewery for 11 years now. The festivities include new beer releases, a costume contest, German games, a cornhole tournament, giveaways, family fun and more all day long.
Black Forest Oktoberfest
Sept. 26-27
Black Forest Brewing Company
Black Forest Brewing will have the festival tent set up for its ninth annual Black Forest Oktoberfest. Enjoy seasonal beers, German food, live polka music, games including traditional German Hammerschlagen and stein hoisting contests, plus more fun for kids and adults.
Oktoberfest at Cerberus Brewing
Oct. 3
Cerberus Brewing Company
Grab your steins, and start training now. Cerberus Oktoberfest is an official qualifying location for the Colorado State Steinholding Championship. Yes, that’s a real thing. Winners will go on to represent Cerberus at the state championship in Grand Junction and maybe even the National Finals. Round One starts on Sept. 12 when Cerberus is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Oktoberfest will have another qualifying round, plus another that anyone can join. There will also be lederhosen and dirndl contests and plenty of Märzen. Yes, you can still celebrate Oktoberfest in October.
Oktoberfest on the Front Range
Denver Highlands Oktoberfest
Sept. 12
Highlands, 3737 W. 32nd St.
Denver’s Highlands neighborhood just west of downtown throws a big multiblock festival that goes 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You’ll find lots of live oompah music, costume contests, keg bowling, stein hoisting, a dachshund dash and more. The market has 100 vendors. And there’s even a big Kidtoberfest with inflatables, games, crafts and more.
Oktoberfest at St. Julien Hotel & Spa
Sept. 13
St Julien Hotel & Spa, Boulder
Want a Front Range destination Oktoberfest? The upscale St. Julien Hotel and Spa hosts Oktoberfest on the lawn and terrace. Tickets include a German-themed buffet including schweinebraten (roast pork), wurst (Bavarian sausages and sauerkraut), brezen (pretzels), schnitzel and more. Enjoy live music and games on the lawn.
Denver Kickers Oktoberfest
Sept. 18-19
Denver Kickers Sport Club, Golden
The local soccer club throws the party for Golden at its historic clubhouse. It’s a big weekend of live music, folk dancing, stein hoisting, costume contests and all things Bavarian, including Warsteiner on tap.
Denver Oktoberfest
Sept. 18-20 and Sept. 25-27
Larimer and 21st Street in the Ballpark District
Denver’s big Oktoberfest bash spans two weekends, and it’s aiming to win USA Today’s Best Oktoberfest poll. Running since 1969, Denver Oktoberfest is one of the country’s longest-running. You’ll find costume contests, live music from polka to a late-night silent disco, stein-hoisting contests, keg bowling and more. The Oktoberfest Talent Show offers a cash prize and bragging rights for the winner. And if you want to go all in, upgrade to access the Jägermeister VIP Party Tent.
Castle Rock Oktoberfest
Sept. 19
Wilcox Square, Downtown Castle Rock
The Castle Rock festival includes a street fair, food trucks, family games and libations from local and regional craft brewers. Catch the free trolley shuttle service, so you can focus on your sampling. The festival happens 1-9 p.m.
Loveland Oktoberfest
Sept. 25-26
Historic Downtown Loveland
Raise your steins in Northern Colorado with a full schedule of German music, food, beer and lots of bouncy inflatables for the kids. There’s a ceremonial keg tapping, stein hoisting and lederhosen competitions and more.
Highlands Ranch Oktoberfest
Sept. 26
Highlands Ranch Town Center
Head for the south Denver suburb for the Highlands Ranch Oktoberfest celebration. There’s an Oktoberfest 5K, plus German food, Dachshund races, music, entertainment and great biers from Paulaner. The run is at 9 a.m. The festivities and entertainment are 1-9 p.m.
Greeley Oktobrewfest
Sept. 25-26
Lincoln Park, Downtown Greeley
Celebrate with plenty of Northern Colorado brewers, distillers and food vendors. Expect live music, tasty brews and food, and fire spinners. Saturday will be filled with harvest season games and activities for kids including face painting, balloon art and pumpkin decorating.
Pueblo Oktoberfest
Oct. 3
Pueblo Union Depot
The Pueblo German American Club knows how to throw an Oktoberfest. Head to Union Depot in Pueblo for the 56th annual event. Competitions include a log sawing contest, keg toss, stein relay races, best dirndl and best mustache/beard contests. And, of course, lots of beer, live music and German fare from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Lone Tree Oktoberfest
Oct. 3
Schweiger Ranch
The City of Lone Tree is blending the German tradition with Colorado craft beer. You can prost the season and enjoy live polka music, plus games and contests from cornhole to stein hoisting.
Ever wonder how Oktoberfest got started?
Read about some of the German festival’s origins and find some Colorado Springs spots that are German all year long in Inside Oktoberfest.
Want to walk off all that beer?
Here are 10 Favorite Fall Color Hikes in and Around Colorado Springs.
