Oktoberfest 2021: Guide To The Best In California

CALIFORNIA — Practice your polka, brush up on your chicken-dance, and welcome back the season of Oktoberfests in California!

In 2020, nearly all German fests were scrapped statewide, due to pandemic-related restrictions. This year, the extravaganzas — with their beers, brats and oom-pah bands — are marking a return.

Scroll through Patch's 2021 annual Oktoberfest guide, dust off your lederhosen and dirndls, and find fests near you. And Prost, from Patch!

And, as we all know, last-minute cancellations can occur, so always confirm with organizers that posted events are proceeding as planned.

If we missed your town or organization's Oktoberfest plans, please email details with online links to susan.schena@patch.com.

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ANAHEIM:

OCT. 1-24: Oktoberfest BierTent & Music: Phoenix Club. "Orange County's longest running & most authentic Oktoberfest since 1960."

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ARCADIA:

OCT. 2-3 & 9-10: Santa Anita Park's Oktoberfest. Featuring Bavarian food, music & entertainment. For ages 21 & up.
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AUBURN:

OCT. 1: Gold Country Rotary Oktoberfest: Fairgrounds. Fundraiser with beer stein-holding contest, music, dancing & more.

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BAKERSFIELD:

OCT. 16: Junior League's Annual Oktoberfest. Dress head to toe for chance to win Mister or Miss Oktoberfest!

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BEAUMONT:

SEPT. 17-19: Annual King Ludwig's Oktoberfest. Log-sawing, stein-carrying, pretzel-whistling & other contests are back!

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BIG BEAR LAKE:

SEPT. 11-NOV. 7: Oktoberfest 2021. Celebrations will be indoors & outside, and capacity is limited. Tickets on sale.

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BYRON:

OCT. 16: Oktoberfest - Forejour, Beer & Brats: Campos Family Vineyards. A 21+ event, and tickets required.

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CAMPBELL:

OCT.16-17: Oktoberfest - German Food, Music & Kids' Zone. Yay! Back for 2021 with weekend of family fun.

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CARLSBAD:

OCT. 2: Oktober-Feast Kick-Off: Strawberry Co. Pumpkin Patch. Month of dining deals, with Rotarians' kick-off dinner at pumpkin patch.

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CARMEL:

SEPT. 4: Oktoberfest Monterey Bay: The Barnyard. With German beer, food, live music, dancing & Miss Oktoberfest.

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CATALINA ISLAND:

OCT. 15: Oktoberfest: Avalon. With music from Bavarian polka band, plus food, giveaways, beer & family crafts.

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CLAYTON:

OCT.: Oktoberfest & Carnival. Canceled. To return in 2022.

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CORONA:

OCT. 23: Amber Waves Of Grain Craft Beer Fest For Veterans. Not German-themed, but it is a massive beer festival for a worthy cause.

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COSTA MESA:

OCT. 8: Annual Project Youth OCBF Brewfest at MET. A fundraiser that fits the fall, beer-celebration season!

OCT. 29-30: Boo Ha Ha – Haunted Oktobeerfest: OC Fair. For the 21-and-up set, and don't forget your costume!

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COTATI:

SEPT. 18: Flagship Taproom Oktoberfest. Tickets on sale for German beer, brats, pretzels, live music, contests, games & more!

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CULVER CITY:

OCT. 10: BlocktoberFest: Whole Hog BBQ & Craft Beer Garden. Annual event with food, brews, music & ax throwing!

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CYPRESS:

OCT. 2: St. Irenaeus Oktoberfest. For ages 21 and up. Tickets on sale.

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DAVIS:

SEPT. 30: Chamber & First Northern Bank Oktoberfest. Food from Tommy J's, plus music, beer, wine & desserts.

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EL CAJON:

SEPT. 24-26 & OCT. 1-3: German-American Oktoberfest. Parade & keg tap is opening day, followed by two festive weekends of food, dance & entertainment.

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ENCINITAS:

OCT. 2: Annual Oktoberfest Carnival & Parade. Full-day extravaganza back for its 25th year.

OCT. 3: Colony of Olivenhain's Oktoberfest. Details are underway, so check in with organizers for the latest updates.

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FAIRFAX:

OCT 16: Biketoberfest Marin. Fun includes family activities, group ride, demos, beer & live music.

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FAIRFIELD:

OCT. 24: Oktoberfest: Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company. Fall fun with German food, beer & milling event.

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FRESNO:

SEPT. 18: Oktoberfest: Full Circle Brewery District. A block party for all ages!

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GRANADA HILLS:

OCT. 23: Rotary's Annual Oktoberfest & Beer-Tasting. With stein-holding contests, music & more.

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HANFORD:

OCT 23: Police K9 Foundation's Oktoberfest. Limited tickets on sale.

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HAWTHORNE:

SEPT. 25: Vegtoberfest: Common Space Brewery. Music, fun, food & festivities from Plant Base LA.

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HOLLISTER:

OCT. 9-10: Northern California Renaissance Faire Oktoberfest Weekend. "Join the German Mercenaries & their camp followers as they ring in harvest season."

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HUNTINGTON BEACH:

SEPT. 3-18: OC's Rocktoberfest: Biergarten at Old World. "Rock n' roll version of Oktoberfest with live bands, DJs, amazing food, The Biergarten Shotzie Girls & more."

SEPT. 19-OCT. 31: OC's Original Oktoberfest: Old World Biergarten. Wednesdays & Thursdays are free family nights, plus weiner-dog races are back.

SEPT. 30: HB Lions Club Oktoberfest: Biergarten, Old World. "This year's Oktoberfest promises to be the best celebration yet."

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JULIAN:

OCT.: St. Elizabeth's Oktoberfest, Downtown Julian. Not planned for 2021.

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LA MESA:

OCT. 1-3: Oktoberfest - Biergarten & Entertainment. Authentic cuisine, live music, Dachshund races & three days of pouring beer!

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LAGUNA HILLS:

SEPT. 17-OCT. 31: Oktoberfest: GameCraft Brewing. With German-style lagers, schnitzel, potato dumplings, sausages, indoor/outdoor settings & games.

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LAKE ARROWHEAD:

SEPT. 18-OCT. 30: Annual Oktoberfest: Lake Arrowhead Village. Replica waterfront Alpine Village venue for Oktoberfest simply can't be beat.

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LIVERMORE:

SEPT. 25: ShadowFest 2021 Shadow Puppet Brewing Company. All day, indoor & out on the patio.
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LONG BEACH:

SEPT. 11: Craft Beer LB Fest: Rancho Los Cerritos. A kid-friendly, benefit festival that just happens to coincide with Oktoberfest season!

OCT. 22-24, 29-31: Oktoberfest: Scottish Rite Event Center. Fridays & Saturdays for 21+, with Sundays for all ages.

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LOS ALTOS:

SEPT.-OCT.: Esther's German Bakery's Annual Oktoberfest. Festivities are planned, but no details yet announced, so stay tuned!

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LOS ANGELES:

SEPT. 4, OCT. 2 & NOV. 6: 'Bavarian Night' Wirtshaus. "Live traditional German music, food & drink specials, fully-costumed staff in Lederhosen and Dirndls and much more....Don't miss out!"

SEPT. 18: Annual LA Beer Festival & Music. Featuring 80 breweries, 200 beers, food trucks, live music & more!

OCT. 16: Vegan Oktoberfest: LA Center Studios. With beer, plant-based Bavarian food & lots of oompah music.

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MAMMOTH LAKES:

SEPT. 16-18: Oktoberfest: Village At Mammoth Lakes. Includes food, beer, live music & fun run.

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MILL VALLEY:

SEPT. 25: Oktoberfest: Tam Valley Community Center. Live music, dancing, games, food, amusements & of course, beer!

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MONTROSE:

OCT. 2: Oktoberfest - Music, Beer, Contests & Rides. An authentic Bavarian experience for the entire family!

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MOORPARK:

SEPT. 25-26: Enegren Brewing Oktoberfest & Ferris Wheel. Two days of German-inspired festivities.

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OAKLAND:

SEPT. -DEC.: Friday Live Music & German Food: Hofkuche. Keep the Bavarian spirit going week after week with a tasty German menu via Forage Kitchen!

OCT.: Oaktoberfest. Plans underway, so check in with Dimond organizers for details.

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OCEAN BEACH:

OCT. 8-9: OB Oktoberfest. Where your stein-carrying, balloon-blowing, bratwurst-eating skills will pay off. Two days of Bavarian food, fun & contests.

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OLIVENHAIN:

OCT. 3: Colony of Olivenhain's Oktoberfest. Details are underway, so check in with organizers for the latest updates.

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OLYMPIC VALLEY:

SEPT. 18-19: Squaw Valley Village Oktoberfest. Two days of German beer, Bavarian music & dance, plus games & family fun.

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ONTARIO:

OCT. 2: CCA Inland Empire Oktoberfest: Coastal Conservation. Tickets on sale.

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PALM SPRINGS:

SEPT. 23: Die Sauerkrauts Oktoberfest Band: Agua Caliente. "This group plays polkas, waltzes, Dixieland, pop, swing & country/western favorites."

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PASADENA:

OCT. 16: CraftoberFest: Greens At Rose Bowl Stadium. For all ages, with pretzels, bratwurst & craft beer.

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POMONA:

OCT.: Oktoberfest at Fairplex. Not planned for 2021.

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RAMONA:

OCT. 16: Oktoberfest Motorcycle Rally & Bands. With motorcycle rodeo, Indian motorcycle demos, live music & more.

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RANCHO BERNARDO:

OCT. 23: Rancho BEERnardo Festival. Not Bavarian-themed, but great beer & great cause!

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REDLANDS:

OCT. 2: Optimist Club's Oktoberfest: Sylvan Park. Back this year with favorite food & festivities.

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REDWOOD CITY:

SEPT. 16-26: Oktoberfest - Food, Music & Dancing. Multi-day extravaganza with decked-out tent in Courthouse Square.

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SACRAMENTO:

SEPT. 25: Der Biergarten Oktoberfest. A block party for the 21-&-up set in Midtown Sacramento.

OCT: 8-9: Turn Verein Oktoberfest. NOW SCHEDULED FOR 2022.

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SAN DIEGO:

OCT. 8-9: OB Oktoberfest. Where your stein-carrying, balloon-blowing, bratwurst-eating skills will pay off. Two days of Bavarian food, fun & contests.

OCT. 16: Octubre Fest: WorldBeat Cultural Center, Balboa Park. "Celebration of culture, local craft beer & food in benefit of a great cause."

OCT. 23: Rancho BEERnardo Festival. Not Bavarian-themed, but great beer & great fundraiser.

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SAN CARLOS:

OCT. 2: Peninsula Oktoberfest: Hiller Aviation Museum. With beer, dancing & music from the Zicke-Zacke Band.

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SAN FRANCISCO:

SEPT. 18: Oktoberfest: SF Brewing Co. Fun includes pretzel passing, yodel contest, plus chicken-dancing & more. Tickets on sale.

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SAN GABRIEL:

OCT. 15: Dumpling & Beer Fest. A local twist on Oktoberfest!

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SAN JOSE:

SEPT. 18 & 25: Oktoberfest 2021: Ludwig's German Table. Featuring best-dressed contest & stein-holding competition.

SEPT. 19: Family Oktoberfest Brunch: Ludwig's German Table. For parties of four to six.

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SAN RAMON:

OCT. 2: Oktoberfest, Polka & Doxie Races: Forest Home Farms. Annual event returns!

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SAUSALITO:

OCT. 3: October Brews & Sausage BBQ: Cavallo Point. With fun activities for the kids, too.

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SIMI VALLEY:

OCT. 9: Rotary Club Simi Sunrise Oktoberfest. With food, music, games & bands. Proceeds for charity.

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TAHOE CITY:

SEPT. 25: Oktoberfest: Commons Beach. "Featuring craft beers from some of the region’s best microbreweries, live music, great food, traditional Bavarian-themed games & craft vendor village."

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TEMECULA:

OCT. 9-10: Oktoberfest at Stampede - Bands, Bier & Food. Tickets on sale.

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TORRANCE:

SEPT.-OCT.: Alpine Village. Your one-stop-shop for such delicacies as German sausages, wursts, tortes, pastries, pretzels, breads, beer, spaetzle, sauerkraut & more.

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VACAVILLE:

SEPT. 25: Oktoberfest: Downtown. Beer garden, car show, live music, plus Pure Grain Bakery's pretzels & food on Main Street & Town Square.

OCT. 8: Stoked! Sausage & Beer Dinner: Hank & Hazel's. Perfect Oktoberfest-ish timing! A five-course, tasting menu in the restaurant's cozy backyard.

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VISALIA:

SEPT. 24: Oktoberfest: Vossler Farms. For ages 21 & up, and tickets are limited, so don't delay.

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WILDOMAR:

OCT. 16: Rooted in Nature Craft Brew Festival. Not German-themed at all, BUT ... the timing works for autumn celebration of craft beer!

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YORBA LINDA:

OCT. 1-3: Oktoberfest - Rides, Food & Fun: St. Martin de Porres. Back after hiatus with "lots of weekend fun."

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FOR MORE FALL FUN: Halloween Haunted Houses: California 2021 Guide

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If we missed your organization's Oktoberfest event, email details and an online link to susan.schena@patch.com