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It’s time to iron your lederhosen, build up your stein-holding arm strength and expand your beer belly because Peninsula Oktoberfest events are almost here.
In addition to more traditional ways to celebrate this German festival (think beer, brats and bands), some local celebrations feature nontraditional activities like speakeasies, rock climbing and dunk tanks. So if you’re looking to celebrate the over 200-year-old wedding between the crown prince of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen (yes, that’s the origin of Oktoberfest), check out these five upcoming events.
Mountain View Oktoberfest at Steins Beer Garden
The Mountain View Oktoberfest was established in 2013 as a collaboration between Steins Beer Garden, Tied House Brewery and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy Steins Beer Garden. 
Since 2013, the Mountain View Oktoberfest has grown from roughly 4,000 people in attendance to over 10,000. Courtesy Steins Beer Garden. 
The Mountain View Oktoberfest is the “only Oktoberfest to continuously offer true glass steins and boots since its inception,” according to its website. Courtesy Steins Beer Garden. 
The Mountain View Oktoberfest will have live musical performances by the SF German Band and BlowMusik. Courtesy Steins Beer Garden. 
Expect beer from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Weltenburger, Steigl and Narrative Fermentation at the Mountain View Oktoberfest. Courtesy Steins. 
While the Mountain View Oktoberfest is free admission, those looking to drink beer or wine must purchase glassware and drink tickets. Courtesy Steins Beer Garden. 
Men compete in a stein-holding competition at a previous year’s Mountain View Oktoberfest. Courtesy Steins Beer Garden.
Mountain View’s Oktoberfest, held Oct. 5-6 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., is introducing two new facets to its ninth annual event: a speakeasy and wine offerings. The speakeasy, located on Steins’ back patio, will include lawn games, misters, fans and craft cocktails and will only be available to those with a 21 and over wristband. Over at the main event space at the intersection of Bryant Street and Dana Street, find a selection of local white and red wines.
Established in 2013 as a collaboration between Steins Beer Garden, Tied House Brewery and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, the event has grown from roughly 4,000 people in attendance to over 10,000. It’s the “only Oktoberfest to continuously offer true glass steins and boots since its inception,” according to the event website.
While the Mountain View Oktoberfest is free admission, those looking to drink beer or wine must purchase glassware and drink tickets. There will be a wide selection of German, Austrian and American beers, featuring those from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Weltenburger, Stiegl and Narrative Fermentations. German and American food will also be available to purchase from multiple vendors. Head over to Steins for a special Oktoberfest menu that includes fresh baked pretzels, German-style pork chops, bratwurst and pork schnitzel.
Enjoy live musical performances by the SF German Band and BlowMusik plus contests, including a kids pretzel-eating competition, stein holding, best costume and beer belly. Kids have their own special zone with jumpy houses, face painting, arts and crafts and freebies. Those looking to shop can check out the Makers Market, featuring gift items, woodcraft, original art, botanicals and jewelry from local artisan vendors.
Mountain View Oktoberfest, intersection of Bryant and Dana streets in Mountain View; Instagram: @mvoktoberfest and @steinsbeergarden. Oct. 5-6 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oktoberfest at Ludwig’s Biergarten, Mountain View
Indulge in delicacies like leberkäse, vegetable strudel and pork knuckle with Paulaner beer sauce at the Oktoberfest celebration at Ludwig’s Biergarten in downtown Mountain View.
Held Sept. 20-21 and Sept. 27-28 from 4-10 p.m., a $150 ticket will reserve a group of eight one of 25 available tables for the entire evening (food and drink not included). Walk-ins, with no admission cost, are also welcome, but expect to be seated in the indoor bar area or on the side patio, and seating time will be limited.
The event features a live accordion player, a DJ, a best-dressed competition and stein-holding competitions (with the kids’ division featuring mini steins filled with water).
Ludwig’s Biergarten, 383 Castro St., Mountain View; 650-230-4575, Instagram: @ludwigsmv. Sept. 20-21 and Sept. 27-28 from 4-10 p.m.
Oktoberfest at California’s Great America, Santa Clara
Make Oktoberfest an all-day adventure at California’s Great America on select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 14 through Oct. 26. Sip on imported German Oktoberfest beer from Hofbräu München and Paulaner and experience a rush of adrenaline on RailBlazer, Flight Deck or another roller coaster of your choosing (only advisable for those with strong stomachs).
Oktoberfest-exclusive fare includes German nachos, käsespätzle, pretzel nuggets, gingerbread hearts, linzer cookies, sausages and honey-glazed pork wings. Listen to polka bands playing German music, participate in a stein holding or brat-eating contest, challenge friends and family to yard games such as cornhole and horseshoes, and get creative at a color-by-numbers mural. Daily tickets start at $44.99.
California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara; 408-988-1776, Instagram @cagreatamerica. Saturdays Sept. 14 to Oct. 26 from 2-10 p.m., Sundays Sept. 15, Sept. 22 and Oct. 13 from 2-10 p.m. and Fridays Sept. 19 to Oct. 25 from 4-10 p.m.
Oktoberfest in downtown Redwood City
The Golden Gate Bavarian Club perform at a previous year’s Redwood City Oktoberfest. Courtesy HopeInsite. 
An accordion player from the Golden Gate Bavarian Club performs at a previous year’s Redwood City Oktoberfest. Courtesy HopeInsite. 
Redwood City Oktoberfest attendees cheers steins of beer at a previous year’s event. Courtesy HopeInsite. 
While Redwood City Oktoberfest doesn’t have a dedicated children’s area, it is a family-friendly event. Courtesy HopeInsite. 
Redwood City Oktoberfest attendees dance the chicken dance at a previous year’s event. Courtesy HopeInsite. 
Redwood City’s Oktoberfest features live music. Courtesy HopeInsite. 
Women compete in a stein-holding competition at a previous year’s Redwood City Oktoberfest. Courtesy HopeInsite.
Oktoberfest festivities don’t have to wait for the weekend. Downtown Redwood City is hosting nine days of beer, pretzels, brats and live German music Sept. 20-22 and Sept. 24-29.
Located at Courthouse Square, this ticketed event ($10-$20 for non-drinkers and $16-$30 for drinkers 21 and older; price varies depending on the day) includes a commemorative stein and one drink ticket, valid for a beer or soda depending on the ticket type. Food and extra drink tickets are sold separately. Larger parties may also reserve a VIP table for six that includes 12 drink vouchers for $250.
Enjoy live music by The Internationals, Golden Gate Bavarian Club, Alpine Sound Band and Deutscher MusikVerein. Participate in dance, stein holding and yodeling contests Friday to Sunday, as well as skits and many variations of the “international” chicken dance. The event is family-friendly, but will not include a dedicated children’s area.
Redwood City Oktoberfest, Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; Sept. 20 and Sept. 27, 5-10 p.m., Sept. 21 and Sept. 28, noon to 4 p.m. and 5-9 p.m., Sept. 22 and Sept. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. and Sept. 24-26, 5-9 p.m.
Oktoberfest in downtown Campbell
The 29th annual Campbell Oktoberfest will be held Oct. 19-20. Courtesy Campbell Chamber of Commerce. 
Since 1994, almost one million people have attended the annual Campbell Oktoberfest, according to the Campbell Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy Campbell Chamber of Commerce. 
Pretzels and brats at a previous year’s Campbell Oktoberfest. Courtesy Campbell Chamber of Commerce. 
The Campbell Oktoberfest will have homebrewing, best-dressed and stein-holding contests. Courtesy Campbell Chamber of Commerce. 
Drink tickets will cost $12 each at the Campbell Oktoberfest. Courtesy Campbell Chamber of Commerce. 
The Campbell Oktoberfest will have four stages of music and performances and over 100 arts and crafts booths. Courtesy Campbell Chamber of Commerce.
The 29th annual Campbell Oktoberfest, held Oct. 19-20, features four stages of music and performances, over 100 arts and crafts booths, German brews by Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, dozens of food vendors, a kids’ zone and even a homebrewing competition. Guests can prepurchase drink tickets ($12 per ticket) and glassware ($12-$25) and register for a stein-holding contest ($30 to enter), held at 2 p.m. both days.
Have an interest in homebrewing? Consider submitting an application by Oct. 4 to be one of 20 home brewers in the Braumeister Competition. Dan Gordon of Gordon Biersch Brewing Company and Sal Pizarro of the San Jose Mercury News will be judging contestants’ Oktoberfest-style Marzen beers. The top three winners will be awarded medals and bragging rights and the first place winner will receive an Oktoberfest glass boot.
In addition to homebrewing, expect best-dressed contests at 2 p.m. both days and stein-holding contests at 3 p.m. both days. Stein-holding winners receive a glass boot stein. A kids’ zone will feature a double inflatable slide, obstacle course, magician, face painting, clowns, and arts and crafts. The fire department will be holding a Touch A Truck event, and the Campbell Police Foundation will have a dunk tank. On Sunday, there will also be a climbing wall.
Campbell Oktoberfest, downtown Campbell; Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
