Beer, Brats & Beyond: SoCal’s Oktoberfest Celebrations
Dust off your dirndl, grab a stein and get ready to celebrate Oktoberfest, SoCal style! Across Southern California, breweries, bars and restaurants are serving up German brews, hearty seasonal bites and plenty of reasons to gather with friends and family. From traditional biergartens with live polka and lively bar crawls to family-friendly festivals packed with food, music and activities for all ages, there’s something for every kind of Oktoberfest fan. And for those craving something unexpected, even a tiki-inspired twist is on the menu. Prost!
Old World Village Oktoberfest
7561 Center Ave., No. 49, Huntington Beach; Sept. 12-Nov. 8
Get ready for a taste of Bavaria at Oktoberfest in Old World Village, a charming Bavarian-style shopping destination near the 405 Freeway!
Enjoy German favorites at Biergarten, including bratwurst plates, pretzel sandwiches, hot dogs and apple strudel. The festivities also feature live music from Slovenian multi-instrumentalist Marko Kavticnik and local polka bands.
Admission ranges from free to $35, depending on the date and time. Priority passes cost $80–$100 and include a 24-ounce beer, while table reservations start at $100. Online reservations are encouraged, and a clear bag policy will be in effect.
Before the festivities, catch the Wiener dog races at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. Tickets are $10–$18, and children 5 and younger get in free.
Rasselbock Kitchen & Beer Garden
4020 Atlantic Ave Long Beach, CA 90807; Sept. 19-Oct 31
If Oktoberfest had a home in Bixby Knolls, Rasselbock Kitchen & Beer Garden would be the spot. The German restaurant’s annual celebration is a neighborhood favorite, bringing Bavarian vibes to Long Beach with a ceremonial keg tapping on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m., followed by live music, food and drink specials, and stein-holding contests. Lederhosen and dirndls are welcome, of course. Come thirsty for German classics like Paulaner Oktoberfest and Weltenburger Märzen, poured by the pint, stein or boot. Prost!
Fairplex Presents Oktoberfest
Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768; Oct 17th
This weekend is your last chance to experience Oktoberfest at Fairplex in Pomona! Taking place Friday and Saturday from 6–11 p.m., this lively celebration puts a Southern California spin on the Bavarian tradition, blending classic Oktoberfest festivities with Latino music and culture. Catch oompah bands, rock out to the Red Hot Cholo Peppers cover band or enjoy a Selena tribute, all while digging into bratwurst, funnel cakes and tacos from King Taco. The festivities take place in Expo Halls 9 and 10 and Plaza de las Americas. This 21-and-older event offers a fun way to close out Oktoberfest season, with tickets ranging from $17 to $20 online and $20 to $25 at the gate. Don’t miss your final chance to raise a stein before the celebration wraps up for the year!
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315; Sept. 12-Nov. 14
Looking for a fall getaway with a Bavarian twist? Big Bear Lake’s 56th annual Oktoberfest brings the spirit of Germany to the San Bernardino Mountains, with festivities running across 10 weekends through Nov. 14. Expect plenty of German beer, bratwurst, sauerkraut and giant pretzels, plus live entertainment ranging from traditional oompah bands to local cover bands. Families can enjoy a dedicated kids’ zone with bounce houses and game booths, while beer lovers can sample German favorites on tap or grab mini-kegs to share.
Most festivities take place during Saturday and Sunday daytime sessions, with select Friday and Saturday evenings offering additional celebrations. Tickets range from $15 to $35 for adults, with preferred seating and group rentals available for those looking to make a day of it. With crisp mountain air and plenty of Bavarian cheer, it’s a festive excuse to head up to Big Bear this fall. Prost!
Santa Anita Park Oktoberfest
Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia; Oct. 11-18
Oktoberfest is coming to Santa Anita Park this weekend, Oct. 17–18, blending the excitement of live horse racing with classic Bavarian festivities. Expect stein-holding and costume contests, corn hole, keg rolling, giant pretzels and plenty of beer.
General admission includes a mini tasting stein, eight three-ounce beer tastings, a $5 betting voucher, a racing tip sheet and access to open grandstand seating. Want to make it a group outing? VIP tickets, available for groups of three or more, include picnic table seating and a $20 food voucher.
Wurstküche Oktoberfest
625 Lincoln Blvd Venice, CA 90291; Oct 17 & 24th
Ready to trade your usual night out for a little Bavarian flair? Wurstküche in Venice is bringing Oktoberfest to the Westside with five weekends of German-inspired festivities, flowing beer, live music and plenty of reasons to raise a stein. Located at 625 Lincoln Blvd., this lively sausage house will be serving up its signature sausages alongside German and Belgian beers, with yodeling and live band performances adding to the festive atmosphere. Each ticket includes a one-liter stein filled with Oktoberfest beer, making it a fun pick for beer lovers looking for something beyond the typical beer garden. Traditional Bavarian attire is encouraged, so break out your lederhosen or dirndl and come ready to celebrate. Seating is limited across the scheduled sessions, so booking ahead is recommended.