Oktoberfest celebrations with oompah bands, beer, bratwurst, schnitzel and the spirit of German “gemutlichkeit” are happening around San Diego County in September and October. Here’s a guide to the festivals.

CARLSBAD

43rd annual Oktoberfest: Two Carlsbad Rotary Clubs will put on their Oktoberfest Fall Festival from noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Carlsbad Strawberry Fields, 1050 Cannon Road. Highlights include German food ranging from bratwurst with sauerkraut to potato salad and apple strudel and a Bavarian bier garten with various beers and wines along with stein-holding and yodeling contests. The German band, The Big Lucky, will play “Ein Prosit,” “The Chicken Dance” and other German brass classics. There will be a German costume contest, wiener toss challenge and other German games. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to more than 40 local nonprofits. Admission is $15; food and drinks will be sold. Free parking. Visit rotaryoktoberfest.org.

EL CAJON

Oompah for two weekends: The German American Societies of San Diego host Oktoberfest in El Cajon Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5 at 1017 S. Mollison Ave. An opening day parade with keg tap and crowning of the Oktoberfest Queen is at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Highlights include authentic German food and beers on tap along with oompah music by the Guggenbach-Buam band from Germany. There will be traditional folk dancing along with games and contests. Other attractions include shopping booths and a kids’ zone. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Entry fees are $15 for adults on Fridays and Saturdays, $5 on Sundays and free for those younger than 21, club members with a current membership and active duty military. Visit OktoberfestElCajon.com.

ENCINITAS

Oktoberfest with art fair: The annual Encinitas Oktoberfest, hosted by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and Visit Encinitas, is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 28 along Mountain Vista Drive off El Camino Real between Wandering Road and Rambling Road. The family festival and artisan faire celebrates German culture with live entertainment, including Bavarian music and dance troupes, German food, international refreshments, two beer gardens and a marketplace with 125 local artisan vendors. A ceremonial parade is slated for noon with local officials. There will be a German-themed dog costume contest with a pups parade and a kids play zone with inflatable slides, an obstacle course, games and a rock-climbing wall. Admission is free. A free shuttle will run from Flora Vista Elementary School from 10:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Visit encinitasoktoberfest.com.

Olivenhain Oktoberfest: The festival features local brews and German dishes from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Olivenhain Meeting Hall Grounds, 423 Rancho Santa Fe Road. The Our Song band will play German melodies, European harvest anthems and American pop hits. Put on your dirndl or lederhosen and bring your lawn chairs. The menu features bratwurst and red cabbage, hot dogs, potato salad, sauerkraut and dessert. The beer and wine garden features craft beer from local breweries and a variety of wines. Food tickets are $10 to $50. Visit olivenhain.org.

LA MESA

Oktoberfest with “Bark-toberfest”: German-themed festivities for all ages from 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 3; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 4 and noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 in the La Mesa Village with German food, including schnitzel and giant pretzels, Polka bands and dancing, along with “Bark-toberfest” Dachshund races, “Glücklich” Games and a fashion show. Highlights include an Artisan Alley craft fair with handmade items ranging from candles and soap to jewelry, a pumpkin patch and a children’s carnival and Ferris wheel along with Palm Avenue Pub & Grub. Wear your German lederhosen or dirndls. Festival admission is free. Biergarten admission is $5. VIP Biergarten passes are $15-$50; $10-$25 for under 21 VIP pass. Visit lamesaoktoberfest.org.

OCEAN BEACH

OB Oktoberfest: Ocean Beach Oktoberfest is Oct. 10-11 at the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier parking lot, 5099 Newport Ave. The two-day event will feature Oktoberfest-themed contests and games, a Mr. & Mrs. Oktoberfest competition, a traditional stein-holding contest and pretzel toss along with brat eating and live music on two stages. The beer garden will feature traditional German brews, local beer, wine and spirits. There will be two-for-one beers until 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and until 1 p.m. Oct. 11. Proceeds will benefit the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, The Peninsula Alliance and The Warrior Foundation Freedom Station. Hours are 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and noon to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Tickets are $15 at the door. VIP tickets are $64-$69 in advance. Visit oboktoberfest.com.

OCEANSIDE

Oktoberfest at brewery: Tipping Pint Brewing Company will put on an Oktoberfest celebration from 1 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27 in its outdoor wine and beer garden at Carruth Cellar’s HANGAR76 at 3229 Roymar Road. Highlights include a new beer release, German-style food, music by two bands and a costume contest. Dress in your best Oktoberfest outfits. Visit carruthcellars.com/events/oktoberfest.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Rancho BEERnardo Festival: The annual event for ages 21 and older is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 at Webb Park, 16826 Bernardo Center Drive, hosted by the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club. VIP admission is 1 to 5 p.m. Highlights include live music by two bands and more than 35 participating breweries, wineries and distilleries along with food vendors, specialty mocktails, photo booths and games. Tickets are $65 to $90 (VIP); $10 for designated driver; $10 for food ticket. Proceeds go to the Rotary’s charity programs. Visit ranchobeernardofestival.com.

SAN DIEGO

East Village Oktoberfest: The 9th annual celebration from 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at Quartyard, 1301 Market St, will feature craft beer and Bavarian fare like pretzels and sausages along with tacos and entertainment by the Zeitgeist Oktoberfest Band and games. Dress in your lederhosen or dirndl. Tickets for the event, which is open to ages 21 and older, are $20-$25. Visit eastvillagesandiego.com/events/east-village-oktoberfest.

Liberty Station Craftoberfest: The 10-day free event celebrates the art of craft beer with a variety of beer and foods from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 19-28 at Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Road. There will be craft beer, live entertainment, games and tastings along with food from Liberty Public Market vendors. Visit libertypublicmarketsd.com/events.

Pacific Beach Oktoberfest Bar Crawl: The event is from to 4 to 11 p.m. with check-in from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. There will be digital bar crawl map, entertainment and beer on tap at participating bars. Participants are encouraged to wear Oktoberfest attire. Visit eventbrite.com/e/pacific-beach-oktoberfest-2025-tickets-1326216452109

Oktoberfest Games: North Park’s The Original 40 Brewing Company is hosting its annual Oktoberfest Games from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 at 3117 University Ave. Festivities include four competitions: Best Lederhosen and Drindl Outfits, Bavarian Pretzel Eating Contest, Stein Holding Competition and Yodeling. Original 40 gift cards will be awarded to the winners. The brewery will serve Beer Tent Märzen in honor of Oktoberfest. Visit original40brewing.com

To add an event, please email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.

Originally Published: September 16, 2025 at 1:15 AM PDT