Best Oktoberfests in Minnesota for 2025: Dates, Tips, and Top Events
With our German roots, we have some of the best Oktoberfests in Minnesota.
From the lively festivities in New Ulm to the traditional German-style pours at Waldmann Brewery in St. Paul.
And let’s not forget the stein specials at Lakes & Legends or the food trucks and live music at Fair State’s Co-optoberfest.
Whether you prefer big-scale festivals or intimate brewery gatherings, Minnesota has you covered.
So grab your lederhosen and get ready to prost to a good time!
St. Paul Oktoberfest | St. Paul, MN
The St. Paul Oktoberfest offers German food, beer, and culture on the beautiful grounds of the Germanic-American Institute.
Indulge in bratwurst, sauerkraut, and schnitzel. Raise your stein and say Prost while you sip authentic German brews that feel straight from Munich.
There is plenty of entertainment too, from lively polka bands to traditional dance.
Twin Cities Oktoberfest | St. Paul, MN
Twin Cities Oktoberfest takes over the Minnesota State Fairgrounds with music, dancing, and great food.
Enjoy bratwurst, giant pretzels, and plenty of sauerkraut. Expect food trucks and live music.
Compete in the stein-holding contest.
Beer ranges from crisp lagers to malty Märzens, with local German-style breweries often featured.
Dance the polka and sing along to traditional tunes.
It’s a wunderbar time. Prost!
New Ulm Oktoberfest | New Ulm, MN
Grab your lederhosen or dirndl and head to New Ulm for a citywide celebration with lively music, delicious food, and locally brewed Schell’s beer.
This is often the biggest Oktoberfest in Minnesota, typically lasting two weekends.
Settled by German immigrants in 1854, New Ulm embraces its heritage with an authentic celebration of Bavarian culture.
Polka and other bands keep the energy high, while the aroma of bratwurst and sauerkraut fills the air.
Don’t miss Schell’s Brewery festivities just outside the historic brewery.
Morgan Creek Vineyards also hosts German-inspired fun.
There are family-friendly activities too, so everyone can celebrate.
Whether you’re dancing, indulging in German dishes, or raising a stein with friends, New Ulm delivers Gemütlichkeit.
Oktoberfest at the Renaissance Festival | Shakopee, MN
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN hosts an Oktoberfest-themed weekend with German food, beer, and activities.
Enjoy festival favorites with a Bavarian twist. Head to the food vendors for brats or sausages.
Find German-style beers on tap. Grab a stein, fill it up, and toast to a fantastic day.
Oktoberfest at The Black Forest Inn | Minneapolis, MN
Oktoberfest at The Black Forest Inn brings traditional German food, beer, and live polka to the heart of the city.
Grab a stein of cold German beer and toast with friends.
Enjoy schnitzel, sauerkraut, and pretzels that feel like a Munich beer garden.
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort Oktoberfest | Deerwood, MN
Head to Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort for Oktoberfest fun on the lake.
Expect delicious food, live music, kids activities, and an arts & crafts fair.
Some years feature special additions like bingo or helicopter rides; check the current schedule.
Oktoberfests at Twin Cities Breweries
Local breweries throw great Oktoberfest parties across the Twin Cities.
Waldmann Brewery in St. Paul serves traditional German-style lagers in a historic setting. Utepils hosts live music and contests in their Fernweh beer garden.
Lakes & Legends in Loring Park often runs stein deals and music.
Giesenbräu Bier Co. in New Prague brings live polka and Bavarian pretzels.
Check each brewery’s events page for dates, tickets, and mug club perks.
Oktoberfest USA | La Crosse, WI
Oktoberfest USA in La Crosse is a Midwest classic with parades, medallion hunts, royalty, and big-stage music.
Grab a stein, join the dancing, and enjoy pretzels and sauerkraut with your German beer.
Expect a lively, friendly crowd and plenty of Prost!
Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest | Chippewa Falls, WI
Chippewa Falls throws a lively festival with German food, music, games, and beer stein-holding competitions.
Festivities kick off with the golden keg procession connected to the Leinenkugel’s grounds and continue at the Northern Wisconsin Fairgrounds.
Expect a full schedule of entertainers, vendors, and authentic bites.
Which Oktoberfest in the Twin Cities will you attend?
Minnesota is a haven for Oktoberfest, with celebrations big and small.
If you want a large festival with music and locally brewed beer, head to New Ulm or the State Fairgrounds. For a cozy vibe with traditional lagers, pick a neighborhood brewery like Waldmann or Utepils.
From St. Paul to New Ulm to Deerwood, you’ll find an Oktoberfest that fits your style. Grab your stein and celebrate in true German fashion.
