There’s no better way to celebrate Texas German heritage than with a stick of sausage in one hand and a nice cold beer in the other. It’s even better if you are wearing lederhosen while dancing to polka music, although you’ll never catch me doing the former. However, you don’t have to be a beer-drinking, polka-dancing, sausage-eating, lederhosen-wearing person to enjoy Oktoberfest events.
Below is a list of family-friendly Oktoberfest celebrations, so you can enjoy a beer if that’s your thing, or you can chow down on some sausage-on-a-stick if you prefer. Some of the celebrations include artisan markets and carnival games if that’s more of your happy place. However you choose to celebrate, you’re sure to have a good time with the entire family.
As always be sure to check the festival websites to confirm dates, times, and the price of admission (if any) before attending.
Prost! (“Cheers!” in German)
Austin-area
10/14 11am-7pm
Go to the Annual Authentic German Oktoberfest and enjoy their Biergarten, German food, live music, and kids entertainment.
9/30 5pm-11pm
The Austin Saengerrunde will open its doors to the 5th Annual AustOberfest (Austin + Oktoberfest) celebrating Central Texas German heritage with German-style sausage, lots of beer, a contest stage, bowling, and live music.
10/28 and 10/29 (see website for schedule of events)
Festivities include bounce houses, kids games, face painting, and Nate the Great Balloon Artist. There will also be a bratwurst eating contest Saturday evening, and a wiener dog costume contest Sunday afternoon. And of course, there will be beer and brats.
Del Valle
10/7 12noon-10pm
Nobody rocks Oktober like Live Oak Brewery. They’ve been making festbier for 20 years (and smoked festbier more recently!), bringing the tastes of Bavaria (and Bamberg) to Austin since 1997. Fun for the whole family, rain or shine. Food trucks, music, and of course, beer.
Round Rock
10/8 12pm-6pm
Bluebonnet Beer Company’s festivities will include polka music, American and German style beers, bratwurst, soft pretzels, Kinder Park inflatables area for kids, contests, and much more.
Walburg
9/25 through 11/7 (check website for hours and schedule)
The Walburg German Restaurant has live music in their Biergarten, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and an old fashioned arcade for the kids.
Fredericksburg
Friday, 10/6 (6pm-midnight) Saturday, 10/7 (10am-midnight) Sunday, 10/8 (11am-6pm)
For family-friendly fun, Fredericksburg is celebrating Oktoberfest throughout an entire weekend. You can expect live music, a children’s area, an artisan market, German food, a fun run, and more.
New Braunfels
Friday, 11/3 through Sunday, 11/12 (check website for hours)
Wurstfest has been bringing people from near and far to celebrate all things Oktoberfest for almost six decades. The ten-day festival includes carnival games and rides, live music, artisan vendors, a variety of German snacks, and of course, beer.
Blanco
9/23 12 noon-5pm
The Real Ale Brewery is providing some tunes by the Polkasonics and the Best Wurst trailer will be there to serve up some sausages.This will be a family-friendly event, so bring the kiddos!
