Oktoberfest 2023: SF Bay Area Guide To The Best Of Bavarian Fests

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA — Dig out your Deutsche duds, and raise a stein. It's Oktoberfest time!

The German celebrations are held September and October throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, with the popular, Munich-inspired festivities running the gamut from solo pub events to weekend extravaganzas.

Peruse our annual guide to find the best of Bavarian fests near you.

Enjoy the season, and Prost, from Patch!

Always double-check with organizers to confirm events are proceeding as planned.

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BENICIA:

SEPT. 16: Annual Oktoberfest & Marketplace. With games & activities for the kids, too.

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BRENTWOOD:

OCT. 14: Oktoberfest - Music, Games & Kids' FunZone. Held in downtown with biergarten, weingarten, weiner-dog costume contests, live music, stein-holding fun & more.

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CAMPBELL:

OCT. 21-22: 'Oktoberfest' Biersch Garten, Zicke-Zacke Band & KidsZone. In historic downtown & admission is free.

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CLAYTON:

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1: Oktoberfest & Carnival: Downtown. "The San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere Oktoberfest."

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CONCORD:

SEPT. 16: Oktoberfest: Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden. "A festive & authentic Oktoberfest experience."

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CROCKETT:

OCT. 15: Bay Area's Oktoberfest: Downtown. Free, family- & dog-friendly event with music, food, bounce house, ax throwing & more.

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DAVIS:

SEPT. 30: Family-Friendly Oktoberfest: Sudwerk Brewing. With live music & hammerschlagen. (That's a hammer-and-nail game.)

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FAIRFAX:

OCT. 14: 'Biketoberfest Marin' Music, Beer & Bike Expo. Annual fall event with family fun & beer tasting.

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FAIRFIELD:

OCT. 22: Oktoberfest: Il Fiorello Olive Oil Co. Call for reservations.

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HOLLISTER:

OCT. 6-7: Oktoberfest At Northern California Renaissance Faire. "Join the German Mercenaries & their camp followers as they ring in the harvest season."

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LAFAYETTE:

SEPT. 29: The Springstone School Oktoberfest Fundraiser. Childcare option provided by senior class as part of their work skills.

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LARKSPUR:

OCT. 8: Oktoberfest With Suppenküche: Marin Country Mart. Live music & kids' crafts, too.

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LIVERMORE:

OCT. 7: Oktoberfest Celebration: Shadow Puppet Brewing Company. Includes costume & stein-holding contests, too.

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LOS GATOS:

OCT. 1: Oktoberfest: Civic Center Lawn. Family-friendly with music, games & tapping of the keg!

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

SEPT. 22-23 & 29-30: Ludwig's Biergarten Oktoberfest. Full slate of traditional fun planned.

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NAPA:

SEPT. 30-OCT. 8: Oktoberfest Celebration: Napa Yard Oxbow Gardens. The outdoor oasis along the Napa River transforms into a beer garden with authentic German cuisine, live music & games, including stein-holding contests.

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NOVATO:

OCT. 21: Sunrise Rotary's Annual Oktoberfest: Greek Orthodox Church. Don't miss out! Tickets on sale.

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OAKLAND:

SEPT. 16: Oktoberfest: Original Pattern Brewing Co. Have what it takes to win the Masskrugstemmen Competition?

SEPT. 30-OCT. 1: Dimond District 'Oaktoberfest'- A two-day, family-friendly fest & admission is free.

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PIEDMONT:

OCT. 22: Boosters Club Annual Oktoberfest. Featuring craft beer, wine, brats, pretzels & a great oom-pah band, Polka Geist.

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PLEASANTON:

OCT. 7: Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser: Trinity Lutheran Church. With dinner, drinks, music, games & more.

OCT. 13-14: Outdoor, Biergarten-Style Oktoberfest: SideTrack Bar + Grill. Seating is limited, so don't delay on tickets.

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REDWOOD CITY:

SEPT. 20-24: Oktoberfest: Downtown. A five-day, Bavarian wonderland with food, beer, music, dancing & more! Tickets on sale.

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SAN FRANCISCO:

SEPT. 9: Woodsfest Island Oktoberfest: Treasure Island. Hosted by WOODS Beer & Wine Co.

SEPT. 15: Schroeder’s Oktoberfest Block Party. Ages 21 & up are invited to celebrate with the oldest Bavarian beer hall on the West Coast.

SEPT. 22: 'Parktoberfest' Oktoberfest: Park Chalet. German food, beer, music & stein-holding contests.

SEPT. 30: Annual Oktoberfest By The Beach: United Irish Cultural Center. For 21 & over with bier hall, outdoor beer garden, music & dancing.

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SAN JOSE:

SEPT.: Ludwig's German Table. After years as a popular Oktoberfest & German-dining destination, the San Jose restaurant closed in January. The Mountain View locale, however, will host two weekends of celebrations.

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SAN LEANDRO:

SEPT. 16: 'OkDROberfest' Oktoberfest: Downtown. With pretzels, brats, games, music and, of course, beer!

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SAN RAFAEL:

SEPT. 30: Family-Friendly Oktoberfest: Ounces Outdoors. All-day celebration with German beers, live music, food & games.

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SAN RAMON:

OCT. 7: Forest Home Farms Oktoberfest. With brass band, Bavarian dancers, German lunch & more.

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SANTA CRUZ:

SEPT. 23: Elks Lodge Oktoberfest. German food, beer, music, plus proceeds benefit free therapy for children with disabilities.

SEPT. 30: Family-Friendly Oktoberfest & Polka Band: Messiah Lutheran Church. This one features lots of activities for children, plus kids 12 & younger eat free!

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SANTA ROSA:

SEPT. 30: Pumpkin Patch Oktoberfest, 8K & Kids' Fun Run. German-themed fest with food, beer, bands & races.

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SAUSALITO:

OCT. 22: Oktoberfest BBQ: Cavallo Point Lodge. This one includes a vegan option!

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VACAVILLE:

SEPT. 23: Oktoberfest: Greater Town Square, Downtown. Beers, brats, pretzels (from Pure Grain Bakery) & German music galore.

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VALLEJO:

SEPT. 9-OCT. 29: Oktoberfest Food Festival: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Featuring Bavarian delicacies & craft beers.

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WALNUT CREEK:

SEPT. 30: Shadelands Ranch Oktoberfest. For those 21 & up.

OCT. 13-14: Oktoberfest, Music, Dance & Kinder Zone. "Join us in the biergarten or on the dance floor for another epic Oktoberfest in Walnut Creek."

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FOR FULL STATEWIDE LISTINGS: Oktoberfest 2023: Guide To The Best In California

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