Oktoberfest 2022: Where to celebrate beer, brats and Bavaria in San Diego County

May 05, 2023

Beer, bratwurst and oompah bands are among the highlights of Oktoberfests planned throughout San Diego County.

The festival with German roots typically includes German food, music and dance along with the friendly spirit of "Gemutlichkeit." Some of the community festivals start already in September.

Germany's Oktoberfest typically starts in mid-September and ends in early October.

Rotary's 40th annual Oktoberfest: The Oktoberfest Fall Festival is from noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Carlsbad Strawberry Fields, 1050 Cannon Road. Highlights include German meals from Tip Top Meats, live German music and the Bavarien Bier Garten. The Bier Garten will feature a variety of Oktoberfest beers on tap and various wines along with a Stein-holding Competition, Musical Hut Spiel (German musical chairs) and Schnitzelbank (short rhyming verse songs). Attractions include a corn maze, with a speakeasy serving cold drinks at the end of the maze. There will be a petting zoo, corn hole, kids zone, magic and science performances and a do-it-yourself magic table. The event is hosted by the Carlsbad Rotary Club and Hi-Noon Rotary clubs. There is a $5 entry fee to enter into Carlsbad Strawberry Fields. Visit rotaryoktoberfest.org.

Oktoberfest at One Paseo: Traditional German music, beer-hall games, costume contest, beer gardens, and German-inspired bites from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at One Paseo, 3725 Paseo Place. Tickets are $30. Visit onepaseo.com/events/octoberfest.

Oktoberfest at the Welk: The event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1-2, at The Welk, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, features Bavarian pretzels and bratwurst from Germany, craft beer from local breweries such as Jacked Up, Helia, Lost Abbey and Wild Barrel, live music featuring dueling pianos, and rides and games for children. Admission is free (registration required); VIP pass, $50 for adults (includes all-inclusive ride and attraction wristband, unlimited beer samples and one meal), and $20 for kids (includes all-inclusive ride and attraction wristband and one meal). Tickets are at bit.ly/3qR7BDP.

Free family-oriented Oktoberfest: Live entertainment including Bavarian music and dance troupes, German food and beer, international refreshments, two beer gardens and local artisan products will be among the attractions of the event celebrating German heritage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 25 along Mountain Vista Drive off El Camino Real between Wandering Road and Rambling Road. A ceremonial parade is slated for noon. More than 15,000 visitors are expected. The festival is hosted by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the city of Encinitas. Highlights include a family fun zone, carnival rides, games and a street craft fair with more than 175 local vendors. Visit encinitasoktoberfest.com.

Two-weekend festival: The German American Societies of San Diego host Oktoberfest in El Cajon for two weekends, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 and Oct. 7-9, at 1017 S. Mollison Ave. Enjoy authentic German food and German beers and liquors. Watch traditional folk dancing, compete in games and contests, check out vendor and craft booths, and treat the kids to the Kids’ Zone. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Entry fee of $15 for adults on Fridays and Saturdays, $5 on Sundays. Free for those younger than 21, club members with a current membership, and all active military. Info and tickets are at bit.ly/3DDgnx8.

Church festival: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church hosts its free annual Oktoberfest fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Julian Town Hall, 2129 Main St., and at the Julian Town Square Park at Washington Street and Main. Drive up the mountain for crisp country air, live music and dancing, food, local crafts, special activities for children, bingo, and local Julian Beer Co. brews on tap. There will be a silent auction and live auction. Call (760) 765-0613.

Oktoberfest fun: Free German-themed festivities for all ages from 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 1 and noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at La Mesa Village, downtown along La Mesa Boulevard. The festival features food, beer, wiener dog races, Kinder Karnival, an artisan market, and polka and brass bands. VIP tickets with access to the biergartens start at $10; visit lamesaoktoberfest.org.

Surftoberfest: German food, local bands and "Bier" at the "Oceanside-Style" Oktoberfest from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Moose Lodge, 2017 S. Coast Highway. Proceeds benefit the Women's Resource Center. Tickets are $15; $10 for members. Visit surftoberfest.com.

Motorcycle Rally & Oktoberfest: The festival takes place Oct. 14-16 at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center/Fairgrounds, 421 Aqua Lane. Highlights include Poker Run Saturday, sixth annual Bike Show starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, bands, vendors, craft beers and food trucks. Tickets are $15 per day for spectators or $20 for all weekend. Visit ramonachamber.com/motorcycle-events.

Rancho BEERnardo Festival: The 11th annual event for ages 21 and older is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at Webb Park, 16826 Bernardo Center Drive, hosted by the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club. Proceeds go to the Rotary's charity programs. Tickets are $10 to $65. Visit ranchobeernardofestival.com.

Craftoberfest at Liberty Station: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 23-Oct. 2 at Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Road. This 10-day free event celebrates the art of craft beer with beer and food specials, as well as live music from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 1 and 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays. Compete for prizes from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 at the Beer Pong Tournament, Stein Holding Competition, Yodeling Contest and Oktoberfest Costume Contest. Visit libertystation.com/do/craftoberfest-2022.

OB Oktoberfest: Ocean Beach Oktoberfest returns Oct. 7-8 at the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, 5099 Newport Ave. The two-day event will feature Oktoberfest-themed contests and games (a Mr. & Mrs. Oktoberfest competition, a traditional stein-holding contest, a cornhole tournament), brat eating, live music from local and nationally touring artists, a 4:20 happy hour, a liquid brunch with drag performers and more. Guests ages 21-plus can enjoy the beer garden featuring traditional German brews, local beer, wine and spirits. O.B.'s Veterans Plaza will be home to the family-friendly area organized by the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association with vendors and Oktoberfest activities. Proceeds will benefit the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association and The Peninsula Alliance. Hours are 4:20 to 11 p.m. Oct. 7 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 8. Tickets are $10 at the door. VIP tickets for $49 can be bought ahead of time at bit.ly/3U0Auee and include entrance, a 1-liter "OB Oktoberfest" mug filled with two beers, and access to a VIP area. Visit oboktoberfest.com.

Enjoy the Societe: The Kearny Mesa brewery transforms itself into a German beer hall from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24, offering authentic German street food and Societe's signature Fest Bier, a 4.6 percent Oktoberfest lager available through September. Guests are encouraged to try competitions such as the Pretzel Eating Contest, and at 2 p.m., the traditional Stein-Hold Competition. German street food from Biersal Food Truck will be available, including soft Munich-style pretzels, chicken schnitzel, bratwurst and apple strudel. Beer Folk can fill up a Societe Ceramic Beer Stein to take home for $10 (refills $5). This event is free to the public at 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Visit societebrewing.com.

Beer Crawl: Mike Hess Brewing, Original 40 Brewing, Rouleur Brewing and Second Chance Beer team up for the North Park Oktoberfest Beer Crawl on Sept. 22 to give beer lovers a chance to win a $600 prize package of gift cards and merchandise. Visit the four taprooms (which are within 0.4 mile of each other) between 5 and 9 p.m. and try each brewery's beer special; that earns you a punch on a special punch card. Complete the card to be entered into the raffle for the grand prize. Visit original40brewing.com/events.

Quartyard Oktoberfest: Celebration in East Village, 1301 Market St., starting at noon Sept. 24 with more than 20 beers on tap, German music featuring "Musica: Oompah Katz - traditional German-American Polka band, traditional sausage pretzels and other food, stein-holding contest and costume contest. Tickets are $5 to $25. Visit facebook.com/events/546980373829820/?ref=newsfeed.

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