< The Latest 2025-09-02T16:17:01+0000
The Pasadena Star-News | Tue 09/02 09:16am PST | Fielding Buck
From the mountains to the sea, Oktoberfest is a major pastime in Southern California from the end of summer well into the fall.
Two of the biggest celebrations begin this weekend, Sept. 6-7, in Big Bear Lake and Huntington Beach. Both continue into November.
Oktoberfest here is a combination of oompah bands, German foods such as brats and giant pretzels, German clothes such as dirndls and lederhosen, and imported beer served in enormous steins.
On top of that, Southern California festivals have the chicken dance, rock and country cover bands, local craft beers and other American touches.
“I think most people come because they love the German experience. They want the German food. They want to hear the German bands,” said Monica Marini, director of Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, now in its 55th year.
“In between the bands we do a lot of contests. We do some different turns, singing and dancing songs that get the crowds to join us and come on out on the dance floor, like the chicken dance, the burger dance. But I think people really come for that sense of German and then enjoy all the other pieces that come with it.”
Here are multiweek Oktoberfests in Southern California. Many communities also do one- or two-day festivals, but they tend to release details later than the multiweek events.
Many Oktoberfests are family affairs, but some are adults only. If you want to bring kids — or don’t want to be around them — check out details in advance. Also check out payment policies. Some events are cash-only or card-only.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Convention Center of Big Bear Lake, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake; 909-585-3000, bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest; Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6-Nov. 8.
Oktoberfest offers indoor/outdoor fun for all ages in the San Bernardino Mountains. German bands mostly perform inside the convention center, while American bands doing rock and country covers perform outside.
There will be three traditional German beers — Spaten, Hofbräu and Warsteiner — on top of American brews. There will be bands from Germany, polkas and contests such as stein holding, stein carrying and a nonalchoholic beer chug.
This year the festival is ramping up its nightlife with tastings of microbrewery beers on select Friday nights and “Saturday After Dark” entertainment, which it promises will be an amped-up party at $10 off daytime admission.
Oktoberfest is so big it inspired a “little sister” called Maifest. Marini said last year’s May festival tried out a German food called eberkäse that will be brought back for Oktoberfest.
“It’s a little bit ike German bologna,” Marini said. “The name translates to liver cheese, but it has no liver in it whatsoever. It was a big hit at Maifest. People really enjoyed it.”
General admission varies by day and weekend but starts at $15 for adults and goes up to $30, plus fees. Preferred indoor or outdoor seating and all-inclusive packages are available for extra.
Admission will be free for current and former U.S. military, firefighters and law enforcement opening weekend, Sept. 6-7, as well as Sept. 13-14, Nov. 1-2 and Nov. 8. Immediate family members and significant others can get in at a discount.
Fairplex presents Oktoberfest
Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona; fairplex.com/events/oktoberfest; 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-18.
In addition to oompah bands and chicken dances, festivities will include a car show with vintage Volkswagen Beetles and buses as well as sports watch parties.
Entertainment will include Die Sauerkrauts, Flash Pants and Red Hot Cholo Peppers.
The menu includes brats, pretzels, potato pancakes and potato salad.
The Fairplex, which is the home of the LA County Fair, is a card-only venue. Tickets are $16 and $19 online, $20 and $25 at the gate.
Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest
Waterfront Park, Lake Arrowhead Village, 28200 State Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead; lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com; noon-7 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20-Oct. 26.
Festivities near the water include local German-style bands, big pretzels, dance parties and contests such as a sausage toss.
Admission is free, and there are a limited number of free tables on a first-come basis. Reservations range from $25-$100 for four seat at a pub table to $50-$150 for picnic tables.
This is a cash-only event.
Old World Village Oktoberfest
Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach, 7561 Center Ave., No. 49, Huntington Beach; oldworldhb.com; Wednesdays through Sundays, Sept. 7-Nov. 9.
Old World Village is a complex of shops and eateries near the 405 Freeway, including a German deli, restaurant, beer garden and concert venue.
It’s bastion of German culture year-round but ramps it up in the fall.
There will be live entertainment on three stages: the Festival Stage, the Garden Stage and the Restaurant Stage. Acts include local favorite Marko Kavticnik from Slovenia, also known as Marko the one-man band, as well as German bands and rock bands.
An outdoor grill will serve chicken, brats and vegan brats.
Be aware the restaurant is not part of the festival but is the place to go if you want schnitzel, schweinebraten or cabbage rolls.
Most days are for all ages, but Friday and Saturday evenings are 21 and older.
Admission on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday until 4 p.m. is free at the door but $5 with an online reservation. Otherwise, tickets are generally cheaper online, $10-$40 depending on the day.
Season passes, which include front-of-line access during busy times, are available for $200.
Old World Huntington Beach will also host wiener dog races on Sept. 7, Sept. 21, Oct. 5, Oct. 19 and Nov. 2.
Phoenix Club
375 W Central Ave, Brea; thephoenixclub.com; Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 through Oct. 19.
This social club’s Oktoberfest took place in Anaheim for many years until it sold its property near the Honda Center in 2021. It is now in Brea, where it has a restaurant called Die Bierstube.
The club held its first Oktoberfest in Brea in 2024 and promises this year will be bigger and better with an expanded outdoor area.
Festivities include live music, 15 different beers and an authentic German menu augmented by burgers.
Saturdays are for guests age 21 and older.
Admission is $25, $10 for children age 11 and younger.
Tickets are limited and must be purchased online, according to representatives. Limited onsite parking is available with a voucher, so the club encourages ridesharing, according to representatives.
This event is cash only, except for an inside bar and a food kiosk. There is no ATM on the premises.
Santa Anita Park Oktoberfest
Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia; santaanita.com/event/entertainment/oktoberfest; noon-4:30 p.m. Oct 11-12, Oct. 18-19.
In addition to live horse racing, the track will have an Oktoberfest area with entertainment, a vintage Volkswagen mini car show, beer and food.
General admission is $26 through Sept. 18, $38 after that.