Southern California’s appetite for beer served with brats, pretzels and a German atmosphere has turned Oktoberfest into a 10-week phenomenon.
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The region’s biggest festivals, in Big Bear and Huntington Beach, will kick off Sept. 12. Neighborhood festivals and craft brewery events usually occur later. Restaurants will also have specials, which could happen any time.
Oktoberfest is a tradition begun in 1810 in Munich, but it’s very different in Germany than in the United States.
Festivities here include German beers served in Steins, brats and other German foods, polka bands, cover bands playing rock, games, competitions and the opportunity to dress up in dirndls and lederhosen. Most celebrations are family-friendly, but some are 21-and-older.
Some charge admission. Food and beer are usually separate purchases, and there are often add-ons such as reserved tables and preferred seating to consider.
It’s a good idea to make reservations when they are offered.
Here are the multiweek Oktoberfests happening in Southern California.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is in its 56th year in the San Bernardino Mountains. (Photo courtesy of Big Bear Guide)
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest features live music. (Photo courtesy of Big Bear Guide)
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest combines German and American traditions such as mechanical bull riding. (Photo courtesy of Big Bear Guide)
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. 12-Nov. 14.
This fall celebration is spread across 10 weekends, currently the most in Southern California. Demand for tickets has been so brisk that festival organizers extended it from Nov. 7 to Nov. 14, according to the box office.
Fall weather at 6,750 feet draws visitors to the San Bernardino Mountains for Oktoberfest. Now in its 56th year, it offers indoor/outdoor fun at the city’s convention center, about four miles from the lake.
Food includes a range of sausages, sauerkraut and “huge, colossal pretzels.”
Six bars will serve German beers on tap, and three brews will be available in mini-kegs: Warsteiner, Hofbrau Original and Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier.
Entertainment will include oompah bands from Germany and local cover bands. There will be a kids zone with bounce houses and game booths.
Oktoberfest is mostly a daytime affair on Saturdays and Sundays, with timed admission at 1 and 4 p.m.
Prices vary by weekend, ranging between $15-$35 for adults.
Preferred seating costs $40-$80, and some sessions are selling out. There are four “Love Shacks” available for rental. They accommodate 10 people, and pricing is $55-$85 per person with a minimum of eight people.
Heroes can get free admission: Sept. 12-13, Sept. 19-20, Nov. 7-8 and Nov. 14. Qualified personnel include U.S. military, veterans, firefighters, forestry workers, health care workers and law enforcement.
Evening sessions are offered on select Fridays and Saturdays at reduced prices.
Fairplex Presents Oktoberfest
Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona; fairplex.com/events/oktoberfest; 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-17.
The home of the LA County Fair boasts Oktoberfest infused with Latino culture. Entertainment includes the cover band Red Hot Cholo Peppers and a Selena tribute, as well as oompah bands, and King Taco will have a concession alongside the brats and funnel cakes.
Festivities will be in Expo Halls 9 and 10 and the nearby Plaza de las Americas on the eastern edge of the 487-acre complex.
This is a 21-and-older event.
Admission will be $17-$20 online and $20-$25 at the gate. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1, but a $25 bundle including admission, a souvenir stein and first pour will be available through Aug. 31.
Parking will be $22.50 when purchased online, $26 at the gate.
The Fairplex is a card-only venue.
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. 19-Oct. 25.
Oktoberfest takes place on the south shore of the 780-acre reservoir in the San Bernardino National Forest.
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Admission is free, but festivalgoers must buy a commemorative, 1-liter stein for $18 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday if they want to drink.
In addition to brats and pretzels, foods include Sausage Grilled Cheese and Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Sausage Bites.
Entertainment includes German bands and games.
Some tables are free on a first-come, first-served basis, but tables inside the tent can be reserved on Saturdays at $35 for two people up to $150 for eight.
Old World Village Oktoberfest
Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach, 7561 Center Ave., No. 49, Huntington Beach; 714-895-8020 oldworldhb.com; Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 12-Nov. 8.
Oktoberfest is a major event at Old World Village, a shopping center near the 405 Freeway built to resemble the community of Oberammergau in Bavaria.
Festivities are near Biergarten, an outdoor eatery serving German food. It serves a limited menu for Oktoberfest, including combo plates with brats, vegan brats or chicken for $27 as well as pretzel sandwiches with ham, hot dogs and apple strudel à la carte.
Entertainment includes Marko Kavticnik, a musician from Slovenia who plays multiple instruments, as well as local polka bands.
Admission ranges from free to $35, depending on time and date. Organizers request that people make online reservations so the staff can plan for attendance. Sales close two hours before the doors open, and a clear bag policy will be in effect.
Priority passes are available for $80-$100 for dates in October and include a 24-ounce serving of beer.
Table reservations start at $100, separate from admission.
Wiener dog races will precede Oktoberfest at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Tickets are $10-$18, free for children 5 and younger.
Phoenix Club
375 W Central Ave, Brea; 714-563-4166; thephoenixclub.com; 4:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-25.
The Phoenix Club, dedicated to preserving German culture, has been part of Orange County since 1960. In 2024, it moved from Anaheim to Brea, where its restaurant, Die Bierstube, serves traditional German food.
Oktoberfest festivities include live music, 15 different beers and an authentic German menu augmented by burgers.
Entertainment includes Die Gemütlichen Schuhplattler, a club that performs folk dances from Bavaria and Tyrol in traditional outfits.
Saturdays are for guests age 21 and older, but Sundays are family-friendly.
Tickets are $25; $10 for children. They must be purchased online at thephoenixclub.ticketspice.com/oktoberfest-2026. Parking is limited and must be reserved in advance.
Santa Anita Park Oktoberfest
Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia; santaanita.com/event/entertainment/oktoberfest; noon, Oct 10-11, Oct. 11-18.
Oktoberfest festivities will kick off an hour before the first post-race at 1 p.m. They include live music, a costume contest, stein-holding competitions, keg rolling and cornhole.
Tickets are $28.09 through Sept. 18, $40.69 after that. They include general admission, 3-ounce beer tastings, a souvenir stein, a $5 betting voucher and open grandstand seating.
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