Raise your stein to 16 Oktoberfest events in Virginia

Celebrate German culture with steins, sausages, and music at these 16 lively Virginia Oktoberfest events. 

Virginians will soon have the opportunity to sport their favorite lederhosen while raising a stein because Oktoberfest season has arrived in the commonwealth. From bustling beer gardens to family-friendly cultural celebrations, the commonwealth isn’t short of ways to enjoy German food, beer, and music this fall.

Whether you’re looking to sample some brews or show off your strength in a stein hoisting competition, these 16 Oktoberfest events offer something for everyone.

Oktoberfest at 2 Silos

Location: 9925 Discovery Blvd., Manassas, VA 20109

Dates: Sept. 19-21

Oktoberfest represents 2 Silos Brewing Co.’s biggest party of the year. Spanning three days, the festivities will include authentic German fare, beer, music, and family-friendly activities, including bounce houses and face painting. Be sure to sample the sausage plates and pretzels before washing them down with one of the craft beers. Those who want to test their strength should enter the stein-holding contest.

St. Benedict Oktoberfest

Location: 300 N. Sheppard St., Richmond, VA 23221

Dates: Sept. 19-21

St. Benedict Oktoberfest in the heart of Richmond’s Museum District is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The anniversary event will feature authentic German food, including platters, pretzels, and desserts, over 50 beers, music, dancing, and shopping.

Old Town Manassas Oktoberfest

Location: 9101 Prince William St., Manassas, VA 20110

Date: Sept. 20

The Old Town Manassas Oktoberfest offers the community the chance to come together and say “prost.” The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., takes over the historic downtown area. The festivities will include music, food, performances, competitions, and arts and crafts vendors. Admission is free.

Oktoberfest at Kings Dominion 

Location: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 20-Nov. 2

Oktoberfest at Kings Dominion runs every Saturday and Sunday from late September through early November, offering those interested plenty of opportunities to attend the fall festival where there’s an unending supply of beer, authentic German food, live shows, and family-friendly activities.

Oktoberfest German Kickoff

Location: 7581 Colshire Dr., Tysons, VA 22102

Date: Sept. 20

Shipgarten invites the community to kick off the season right by attending the Oktoberfest German Kickoff event from 1 to 6 p.m. It will feature over 50 beers from Germany, Belgium, Austria, and the U.S., including several from local breweries. There will also be live music and games, including a pretzel toss contest, stein hoisting competition, and costume contest.

Middleburg Oktoberfest

Location: South Madison Street to Federal Street, Middleburg, VA 20118

Date: Sept. 20

This year marks the 5th year the Middleburg Oktoberfest has been held. Slated to run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the festivities will include two biergartens, traditional German food, live music, and games. Art enthusiasts should also check out the Artist’s Alley, where local and regional artists will offer their wares for sale.

Smartmouth Oktoberfest

Location: 1309 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk, VA 23507

Date: Sept. 20

The Smartmouth Oktoberfest at Smartmouth Brewing Company promises to be a Bavarian-style party with music, games, and brews. Live polka music will be provided by The Dixie 7 and PC Duo. Games will include Hammerschlagen and Masskrugstemmen. Lagers and festbiers will be on tap, which will pair nicely with the authentic German cuisine. The event, which is open to all ages, runs from 5 to 10 p.m.

27th Annual Oktoberfest

Location: 2104 Goethals Rd., Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Dates: Sept. 25-28

Fort Belvoir’s Family and MWR will host the 27th Annual Oktoberfest at Fremont Field this year. The event will include authentic German cuisine, beer, music, including the Fritz Polka Band, dancing, a carnival, and the Volksmarch 5K/10K Walk. Some of the beer options include Hofbräu München Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier, Hofbräu München Hofbräu Dunkel, and Tucher Bräu Tucher Pilsner.

Lovettsville Oktoberfest

Location: 6 East Pennsylvania Ave., Lovettsville, VA 20180

Dates: Sept. 26-28

Lovettsville Oktoberfest prides itself on its unique blend of southern and German traditions, where beer steins clink with sweet tea glasses. Originally a small German harvest celebration, the event now draws in a 13,000-person crowd. In keeping with its German-American fusion roots, its food options run the gamut from bratwursts to barbecue. Entertainment includes polka bands and traditional folk dancers. Consider signing up for one of the contests, including the wiener dog races or the stein hoisting competition.

Alexandria Oktoberfest

Location: 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Date: Sept. 27

Stop by the John Carlyle Square for the Alexandria Oktoberfest for some German culture and cuisine. The free family-friendly event is a send-up to all things Bavarian. Enjoy some traditional music while savoring a strudel and sampling the beer garden. Come dressed up for a chance at being crowned Mr. or Mrs. Oktoberfest.

Golden Cactus Brewing Oktoberfest 

Location: 214 Fifth St., Roanoke, VA 24011

Date: Sept. 27

The Golden Cactus Brewing Oktoberfest event is a lively celebration of all things German. Running from 6 to 9 p.m., the event will feature German-style beers, food from Food Hut, and a range of competitive activities, including musical kegs, a pretzel cutting contest, and a stein holding competition. There will even be a best-dressed contest, so be sure to dress in festive attire.

Oktoberfest at Virginia Beer Company

Location: 401 Second St., Williamsburg, VA 23185

Date: Sept. 27

Attend Oktoberfest at Virginia Beer Company to sample four German-style beer recipes: the Oktoberfest Marzen Lager, House Rules German Pilsner, Griffin Gold Kolsch-Style Ale, and Prost! Fallbier. Be sure to get your hands on the limited-edition Prost!-themed barrel glassware. Arrive early, between 12 and 3 p.m., for the stein and coaster decorating with Paint on Pottery Too. The Wandering Sausage will start serving seasonal treats at 12 p.m. Music from 6 to 9 p.m. will be provided by Hailey Reese and The Zack Salsberry Trio. Be sure to bring along your four-legged friend for the Oktoberfest-themed doggie dress-up contest.

Oktoberfest Fun Run

Location: 3022 Woodlawn Ave., Falls Church, VA 22042

Date: Sept. 27

Be active this Oktoberfest season by participating in the free Oktoberfest Fun Run, where attendees will participate in a fun 1-mile run or walk around the neighborhood where Holy Trinity Falls Church is located. Following the run, attendees will be treated to donuts, pretzels, and beer.

Vienna Oktoberfest

Location: 131 Church St. NE, Vienna, VA 22180

Date: Oct. 4

The free Vienna Oktoberfest promises a “huge selection of beer” from such breweries as Caboose Brewing Co., Norm’s Beer & Wine, and Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. The event will also have its fair share of entertainment spread across three stages. Children will surely enjoy spending time in the kids zone.

The Bier Garden’s Oktoberfest 

Location: 438 High St., Portsmouth, VA 23704

Date: Oct. 4

The Bier Garden’s Oktoberfest event encourages attendees to wear their finest lederhosen and bring their favorite steins for a day of German beer, food, and activities, including a strongman competition. Running from 12-9 p.m., the family-friendly event costs $13.50 to attend.

Richmond Oktoberfest

Location: 600 East Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23222

Dates: Oct. 17-18

This year marks the 55th year the Richmond Oktoberfest has been held. Located in the Old Dominion Building at the Richmond Raceway Complex, the event is $10 per person for a one-day ticket or $15 for a two-day ticket. Those 15 and under get in for free. Entertainment will include nightly parades, as well as the German band Die Lustigen Almdudler. Be sure to visit the pretzel and potato pancake stands for some authentic cuisine. Draft beer options will include Warsteiner Oktoberfest, Paulaner Oktoberfest Wies’n, and Bitburger Pilsner. Commemorate your experience by purchasing a souvenir mug.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: 20 fall festivals & events in VA to add to your calendar