Raise a Stein! Your Oktoberfest Weekend in Fredericksburg

Photo Credit: r.classen

• MarktPlatz, 100 W Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX
• First weekend of each October
• oktoberfestinfbg.com

The Oktoberfest festival is the world’s largest volksfest, which translates to “people’s festival.” The original festival is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, in southern Germany, and more than six million attendees flock there each year to enjoy the festivities.

The festival is much more than a party — it’s an important part of Bavarian culture and has been held since 1810. That being said, Bavarian people do know how to have fun, and huge quantities of beer are consumed — 7.7 liters (2,000,000 US gallons) of beer were served in 2014 alone!

Oktoberfest is loved by millions of people around the world, and as such, there are many similar celebrations in American cities, including San Antonio, Helen, and, as you might have already guessed, Fredericksburg.

Oktoberfest has taken place in Fredericksburg since 1981. The proceeds from the event support local art projects, grants, and scholarships for Gillespie County residents pursuing music or art studies at the university level. Due to its charitable nature, the festival is a highly important part of life in Fredericksburg and has grown year after year into the spectacle that it is today.

Tickets

Start your Oktoberfest experience by heading to downtown Fredericksburg. Even if you've already purchased your tickets on the festival's website, you can pick them up at the entrance.

The cost of admission varies based on age, but you can save by purchasing multi-day passes. It’s also possible to purchase general admission wristbands, as well as universal tickets that include access to food, beverages, and the children’s area.
Standard ticket prices (for 2025):

• Adults $15
• Adult two-day passes $20 each
• Adult three-day passes $25 each
• Children 7 – 12 $1 each
• Children 6 & under Free

Advanced tickets are available from January of each year until two weeks prior to the festival’s start date.

Your Itinerary for Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg:

Photo Credit: hlphoto

Taking place during the first weekend of October, Fredericksburg’s Oktoberfest is sponsored by Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance and is one of the most popular events every year. With so many things to do and see all weekend long, it’s no surprise that many festival-goers attend all three days.

In 2025, Oktoberfest will take place from October 3 to 5. No matter whether you plan to attend the entire festival or take part in select events, these are some of the can’t-miss highlights of what you can experience at Oktoberfest Fredericksburg.

Friday: 6 pm to midnight

Shop Local Artisans and Vendors

One of the highlights of Oktoberfest Fredericksburg is the opportunity to explore a vibrant marketplace featuring local artisans and vendors. Here, you'll find a diverse range of unique, handcrafted goods, including traditional German clothing and jewelry, as well as pottery, woodwork, and fine art. T

This is the perfect opportunity to pick up one-of-a-kind souvenirs, gifts, and festive keepsakes while supporting Fredericksburg’s talented creative community.

Join the Hauptstrasse Chicken Dance

This iconic dance dates back to the 1950s and remains a staple of the festival program. Werner Thomas, a Swiss-German accordion player, is the genius behind the song and the corresponding dance. He realized that Swiss skiers look similar to gliding water ducks, and well, the rest is history!
Nowadays, hundreds of dancers gather in the market square to participate in the chicken dance. Be sure to join them!

Saturday: 10 am to midnight

Rotary Kraut Run

The Rotary Kraut Run is the official running event of Oktoberfest. Participants can choose from a 5K and 8K run, as well as a non-timed 5K walk through Fredericksburg’s picturesque streets. Oktoberfest costumes are also encouraged. The event is dog and stroller-friendly and proceeds benefit Fredericksburg ISD literacy programs.

Family Fun at KinderPark

Let the kids play games, enjoy face painting, and participate in fun activities specially designed for them.

Lunch Break

Of course, no German festival is complete without delicious food and drinks. Bring your appetite to try a range of traditional German dishes like apple strudel, schnitzel, German potato pancakes, and more. If you’ve never tried sauerkraut or pretzels, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to indulge in some German favorites!

As you might expect from an event in Texas, delicious BBQ food is also on offer, including sandwiches, tacos, and juicy burgers. If German strudel isn’t your thing but you have a sweet tooth, try the homemade ice cream and sugar cookies on offer — you won’t be disappointed!

All this pairs perfectly with a cold brew from the wide selection of German, Texas, and domestic beers. Soft drinks, including fresh lemonade, are also on offer.

Attend the Dirndl & Lederhosen Contest

The dirndl dress is a symbol of Bavaria and is traditionally worn by women during celebrations. Lederhosen are the male equivalent, and each year a contest is held to crown the king and queen of Bavarian attire. This is a family-friendly event, and hundreds of people dressed up and gathered together make for a fantastic photo opportunity.

Meet the Brewmasters

Germans know their beer, and any opportunity to meet brewmasters shouldn’t be passed up. Dozens of beer-making experts gather each year at Oktoberfest and are more than willing to talk about imported beers and Texas brews alike — from the brewing process through to tasting notes.

Enjoy Music and Dancing

Get ready to experience five stages filled with incredible German music performances from entertainers like the Oompahs and The Tubameisters. Live music rings out as the sun sets and continues well into the night. Grab your favorite dancing partner and throw some shapes — why not try some German polka-style dancing before the festival wraps up at midnight Saturday?

Sunday: 11 am to 6 pm

• Stroll Through Artisan Tents: Pick up any last-minute souvenirs or gifts from talented local artisans, who showcase a diverse array of handcrafted items perfect for commemorating your Oktoberfest experience.
• Relax at the KinderPark: Oktoberfest is great fun for the whole family, and young attendees will love the KinderPark, also known as the “children’s park.” This area features games, including professional face-painting artists, stilt walkers, and much more.
• Final Performances: Catch the last rounds of live music and join in the dancing of oompah at its best for a festive farewell.
• Toast to the Spirit of Oktoberfest: Raise your stein to one of Fredericksburg's favorite festivals with friends and family.

How to Get There

Oktoberfest is located in Downtown Fredericksburg on Marktplatz. The location is 70 to 75 miles northwest of San Antonio and southwest of Austin. Make parking a breeze by utilizing the Oktoberfest Park & Ride service, which connects the Gillespie County Fairgrounds parking area to Marktplatz, the location of the festival.

The shuttle departs every 30 minutes, and passes can be purchased online. You can also purchase tickets for the festival itself at the Park & Ride site at the Fairgrounds.

If you’ve booked a stay at one of our downtown vacation rentals, you can walk to the event and not have to worry about parking.

An Oktoberfest Alternative - New Braunfels Wurstfest

• 178 Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels, TX
• November 7–16, 2025
• wurstfest.com

Nearby New Braunfels shares Fredericksburg’s German heritage and also its ability to organize a fun-packed festival. Wurstfest takes place during the first week of November and brings the city to life with traditional Bavarian music, entertainment, food, and drink.

New Braunfels is less than 1.5 hours from Fredericksburg, so it’s an easy drive over if you’d like to join the festivities for a day or two. Or, why not make the most of the exciting program of events and book a cozy and comfortable vacation rental in New Braunfels for the entire week?

Book Your Oktoberfest Stay in Fredericksburg

It’s never too early to book your Fredericksburg Oktoberfest trip with Stay Texas. After a day of festival fun, your vacation rental is the perfect place to escape the crowds and prepare for another memorable day.

Whether this is your first time visiting Fredericksburg for Oktoberfest or this is an annual tradition for you, we’re certain you’ll have a grand time when you Stay Texas!

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