The Best Oktoberfest Events in Oregon
Mt. Angel’s Oktoberfest is the biggest in the state.
Despite its name, most of Oktoberfest happens in September. The centuries-old folk festival originated as the public celebrations of the wedding between Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Toward the end of the century, the festival shifted into late September, to take advantage of the early autumn sun. The Munich-based festival has since spread across the globe. These days, it’s less about the matrimony of Bavarian royalty, more about feasting on sausages and schnitzel, dressing Fido up in tiny lederhosen, dancing jigs, and, of course, downing pints of lager—all festivities many Portlanders love.
To make it even more temporally confusing, a few local spots have started the party early, with the German American Society of Portland kicking things off the first weekend of September. But there’s still plenty of Teutonic, family-friendly fun to be had all month and into the next, as you can find below.
Eins, zwei, drei, g’suffa!
11AM–9pm Sat, Sept 6 | German American Society of Portland
The annual party from the German Haus is a major Oktoberfest tradition in Portland. This year features food from Wienerwurst PDX, beer both imported from Germany and local from Zoiglhaus Brewing Co., and live music from bands like Bavarian Echoes and the Bang Bang Experience. Tickets to the family-friendly festival start at $9.31 for general admission, while $23.18 gets you entry plus a stein and a drink ticket.
Thu–Sun, Sept 11–14 | downtown Mt. Angel
Catch concerts, car shows, dance troupes, Oktoberfest Olympics feats of strength, wiener dog races, and more folk fest activities at this Bavarian-style village’s main annual attraction. Much of the festival is free, but wristbands ($10–20 for a single day, $50 for the whole fest) are required for anyone 21 and over in the Biergarten, Weingarten, and Alpengarten. Unfortunately, shuttles are not provided this year, but parking lot passes are $15 a day and include trolley services to the events.
4–10pm Fri, 11am–10pm Sat, 11am–7pm Sun, Sept 19–21 | Oaks Amusement Park
We aren’t sure if German cuisine and Paulaner beers mix well with Oaks Park’s array of roller coasters and other “thrill rides,” but who are we to question? The Southeast Portland amusement park will also host less stomach-jostling activities for its big annual party, like a pretzel toss, a condiment art contest, and a Saturday dachshund race. Amusement park admission is $7.50 ($4.50 for those under four feet tall, and free for kids up to 2 years old), with separate pricing for rides, food, drinks, and parking.
Putting the “prost” in Prost!
Prost! Oktoberfest
11AM–2:30AM FRI & Sat, 11Am–1am Sun, Sept 19-21 | Prost!
With its glass boots of beers, menu of currywurst and bratwurst sandwiches, and cellar’s worth of imported German lagers and ales, Prost! on Mississippi Avenue is always ready for a Bavarian festival. The festivities kick off with a ceremonial keg tapping on Friday evening at 6pm, followed by a weekend of live music from Festival Brass and all sorts of specials: find fest biers, giant pretzels, commemorative mugs for sale, and a staff clad in traditional lederhosen and dirndls. The event is free to attend.
Pretzels, mustard, and traditional German garb are essential for Oktoberfest.
Sept 20–Oct 4 | Various McMenamins Locations
Northwest juggernaut McMenamins has no shortage of events, with pubs and venues across the state pouring seasonal beers, serving German food specials, and hosting concerts. The biggest party goes down on Sunday, September 21, at Edgefield, with a plant sale, a golf tournament, two stages with live music, and seemingly endless kegs of the brewery’s Oktoberfest Lager. Most of McMenamins’ Oktoberfestivities are free to attend, though not the Kennedy School Brewfest on September 27, which is $33 for advance tickets and includes 10 drink tokens and a commemorative glass.
Even the hounds are ready for some folk festival fun.
11am–11pm Fri & Sat, 11am–10pm Sun, sept 26–28 | Stammtisch
Prost!’s sister restaurant, Stammtisch, is throwing its Oktoberfest celebrations later in the month. Like at Prost!, the all-ages event is free to attend and includes plenty of German bier, but it leans more into the food world, with specials like roasted pork knuckle and roasted chicken, plus the obligatory giant pretzels. No live music here, but plenty of fun to be had with games like stein-holding and hammerschlagen, in which contestants compete to drive nails into a stump. A ceremonial keg tapping starts the party at 7pm on Friday.
Noon–7PM Sat, oct 11 | Bauman’s on Oak
Occidental Oktoberfest
noon–9pm sat, oct 11 | occidental brewing
This German-inflected brewery in the shadow of the St. Johns Bridge will have a brass band, pints of Festbier and fresh-hop selections as well as NA options, and grub from the neighboring Urban German Wursthaus, including sausages, pork roasts, and pretzels. For entertainment find stein-holding and pretzel-tossing contests and a day of live music. Free for nondrinkers (including kids), and $15 for a mug and its first fill, with subsequent beers at $7.
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