Grab Your Lederhosen: Here Are the 8 Best Oktoberfests in the U.S.

Every fall, as the air cools and the leaves take on their autumnal colors, the minds of many folks turn to... beer—as well as lederhosen, dirndls, oompah music, brats, and pretzels.

Does the coming of fall make you long for Alpine villages and German lager? If so, here are several Oktoberfest celebrations where you can get your Bavarian fix this fall. We think they're some of the best Oktoberfests in the U.S.

1. Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth, Washington, is an alpine village in the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest that's renowned as one of the best Christmas towns in the United States. Thanks to the village's firm embrace of Bavarian culture, it also happens to host one of the nation's most festive Oktoberfest celebrations. You'll enjoy music and dancing, as well as events like a stein hoisting contest and the Festzug parade. Kids will make a dash for all the fun at the Kinderplatz. And yes, there's plenty of beer everywhere. Leavenworth Oktoberfest takes place over the first three weekends in October, 3–4, 10–11, 17–18, 2025.

2. Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio, may not be a mountain village with Bavarian storefronts, but it does host the country's largest Oktoberfest celebration. This year, America's Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is set to take place from September 18–21, 2025, at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove. Attendees will relish the running of the wieners (dachshunds, not frankfurters), as well as music, beer, brats, pretzels, and more. Lederhosen not required, but strongly recommended.

3. New Ulm, Minnesota

Oktoberfest in New Ulm, Minnesota, has been called the most authentic Oktoberfest in the U.S., thanks mainly to this small Midwestern town's deep German heritage and the presence of Schell's Brewery, a fixture in the city since 1860. Look for all the Oktoberfest standards: beer, pretzel, dancing, dirndls, and feats of strength. This year's celebration will take place October 3–4 and 10–11, 2025.

4. Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is another town that entices visitors by adopting the look and feel of a Bavarian village. As one of the nation's best-known German towns, Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest is one of the most beloved fall celebrations in the U.S. Mark your calendars for September 18–21, 2025, and look for bands, dancing, Bavarian delicacies, beer, and wiener dog racing.

5. La Crosse, Wisconsin

You'll find one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S. in La Crosse, Wisconsin, a Mississippi River city of around 51,000 people in the southwestern part of the state. Despite its relatively small size, La Crosse has been punching well above its Oktoberfest weight class since 1961, thanks to its population's German roots and the city's long brewing tradition. This year, Oktoberfest U.S.A. takes place on September 25–28, 2025, and will treat celebrants to parades, music, a carnival, and lederhosen games.

6. Helen, Georgia

Helen, Georgia, is another U.S. town that has modeled itself after a Bavarian village and, thus, boasts an outsized Oktoberfest celebration. For more than 50 years, this town in northeast Georgia has celebrated fall with beer, music, dancing, and other activities for several weeks each autumn. This year's event will run from September 4 through November 2, 2025, and will even include a Halloween costume contest.

7. Denver, Colorado

Denver, Colorado, has been celebrating Oktoberfest for more than half a century. Not only is it one of the most popular fall festivals in the Centennial State, it's one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the entire country. This year's two-weekend event will take place September 19–21 and September 26–28, 2025. Revelers will be treated to music, keg rolling, stein hoisting, a talent show, a costume contest, and the iconic long dog derby. Fret not, there will be beer.

8. Mt. Angel, Oregon

Notwithstanding, Leavenworth, Washington's status as a premier destination for lovers of Bavarian culture, the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the Pacific Northwest actually takes place in Mt. Angel, Oregon—and it's definitely one of the best fall festivals in the Beaver State. This year, make your way to one of the festival's many gartens—from the biergarten and weingarten to the prostgarten and kindergartern—on September 11–14, 2025.

With all these incredible Oktoberfest celebrations to choose from, you won't have difficulty finding a place to hoist a stein and holler "Prosit!" this fall. Where do you celebrate Oktoberfest? Are there any other events that should be on this list? We'd love to hear about your favorites.

Feeling inspired to be Bavarian for a day—or a weekend? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.