Texas is rich in German culture, so it should come as no surprise that you can find some of the best Oktoberfests in DFW!
For those looking to indulge in some traditional Bavarian fun, these are the best Oktoberfests in DFW:
What is Oktoberfest?
Most people know that Oktoberfest is the autumn celebration of German food, beer, and culture, but did you know that it originated as a royal marriage celebration in the early 19th century?
In 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen wed, and it has since turned into the world’s largest beer festival!
Thus, at these celebrations, you will find plenty of biergartens as well as traditional German music and dancing, like the Polka, bier stein hoisting and keg tapping competitions, and lots of shopping at die Marktplätze!
Lastly, the menus at these weekend-long events feature iconic Bavarian fare, including bratwurst, Wiener schnitzel, apple strudels, and Brezn, otherwise known as soft Bavarian pretzels. American-style attractions like carnival rides, petting zoos, and arts and crafts are also common.
Read: 15 Best Fall Festivals in Texas
Oktoberfests in DFW: A Word
The majority of the events on our list are German-style affairs, but there are a few Bavarian-style Oktoberfests as well.
The difference is the main attractions that you will find at each event. Bavarian-style Oktoberfests are more focused on the weekend’s performances, and the German-style Oktoberfests center around the beer and the costumes.
You’ll notice that the best Oktoberfests in DFW are a mix of both!
Read: 8 Tasty Food Festivals for Families in DFW
Addison Oktoberfest
Addison Oktoberfest is a spectacular four-day celebration of German food, bier, and music, with plenty of polka dancing, keg tapping, Dachshund racing, and Masskrugstemmen contests—otherwise known as the Bavarian sport of beer stein holding. Described as ‘October fare with a dash of Texas flare,’ guests are welcome no matter if they don their best dirndls and lederhosen or just come as they are, and there is a little something for everyone at this family-friendly event.
Another big attraction is their Marktplatz, where you can shop at more than a dozen vendor booths that feature unique gifts of both German and Texas varieties. There are plenty of biergartens for the adults to sip on some suds and a kidsgarten for littles to partake in arts and crafts and enjoy the finest of root beers. You will also find a karnival with typical Texas-style rides, games, and concessions as well as an arcade for all ages to enjoy.
Read: Addison’s Best Fall Festivals For This Year
Southlake Oktoberfest
Southlake Oktoberfest is another sensational celebration that you won’t want to miss! This annual event brings stein hoisting competitions, weiner dog races and pet costume contests, carnival-style rides, concerts, and even a Super Smash Brothers Ultimate video game competition! Throughout this 3-day Southlake festival, you can also find plenty of authentic German food, libations at their craft beer tents, and marketplace shopping with a host of local vendors.
All the excitement can be found in Southlake Town Square, which is fun for the whole family. The Southlake Oktoberfest has an entire area dedicated to kids that includes games and a petting zoo. Best of all, this event is free to attend and dog-friendly. This event draws thousands of people every fall, so it’s certainly one of the best Oktoberfests in DFW.
Read: 3 Best Fall Festivals in Southlake, Texas
McKinney Oktoberfest
Hosted in Historic Downtown McKinney, the McKinney Oktoberfest is another full weekend of free German-themed fun! Indulge in sausages, schnitzel, funnel cakes, pretzels, and roasted nuts, along with authentic German bier from the München brewery and brews from McKinney’s own Tupps Brewery, all while soaking in spectacular polka and oom pah musical acts and some scintillating sights!
Watch typical Oktoberfest events like weenie dog races, a hofbrau stein-holding competition, and authentic Bavarian dance routines as well as more unique entertainment like brat eating contests and beard and mustache competitions.
And, of course, you can find beautiful and unique gifts made by one of the 45 vendors at the Arts and Crafts Marktplatz! This event is designed with all ages in mind, so bring the whole family along to enjoy the carnival, petting zoo, face painting, and arts and crafts activities on top of the array of amusing competitions.
Read: Top 5 Fall Festivals in McKinney, Texas
Fort Worth Oktoberfest
Bier barrel rolling, stein hoisting, Bavarian entertainment, carnival rides, and dachshund dashes can all be found at the Fort Worth Oktoberfest! This event has been voted as the 2023 and 2024 Reader’s Choice Best Festival Fort Worth Magazine Best of Awards, so you know it’s another ca n’t-miss event!
Unlike other DFW Oktoberfests, this Bavarian-style event also hosts a fabulous 5K and fun run. All participants receive free 3-day passes to the festival along with a Commemorative Oktoberfest beer stein.
Traditional food, music, dancing, and fun can be had by all who attend one of the best Oktoberfests in DFW! This is another family-friendly event, with kids ages 12 and under getting in for free with any adult admission.
Read: Where to Go Trick or Treating in Fort Worth
Frisco Oktoberfest
Held at The Star, Frisco Oktoberfest is one of the best Oktoberfests in DFW for those looking for some more Bavarian-style fun! You will find traditional German food, cold beer, stein hoisting competitions, and dachshund races at this free to attend October event, but couples also have the chance to come in costume and compete in the Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest contest!
You can partake in stein and keg rolling races, a brat-eating competition, and other traditional Bavarian games as well. Many of these competitions will require a registration fee, and we love that all of these funds go to the Frisco Veterans of Foreign Wars!
Read: 7 Fun Fall Festivals in Frisco, Texas
Dallas Oktoberfest
The Dallas Oktoberfest is slightly different than the other ones on this list— this celebration only lasts for a day, and while you should still expect great German and American food, beer, and music, their biggest attraction is the Kids Zone.
For those looking for more traditional celebrations in the city of Dallas, you can find German-themed food, beer, and culture at the Dallas Arboretum Oktoberfest and the 4th Annual Downtown Oktoberfest hosted by Pegasus City Brewery. Other breweries, like Community Beer Company, and stores like AJ Vagabonds also put on fun Oktoberfest-style events for Dallasites to enjoy!
These smaller celebrations are more German-style affairs with seasonal beer releases, live music, traditional games, and delicious food.
Read: 10 Best Fall Festivals in Dallas
Learn About German Culture at the Best Oktoberfests in DFW
The best Oktoberfests in DFW are more than just fun events for family and friends.
If you know of more fun events that we may have missed, share them with us! Send us details in the comments section below, or come find us at DFW Fun Fest on Saturday, October 19th, and tell us in person!
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