Fall is here and the smell of beer is in the air. While flights to Munich are a bit pricey and will set you back 12 hours, San Diego’s Oktoberfest celebrations offer a much cheaper alternative—minus the jetlag. If you needed an excuse to drink beer, listen to live music, and dig your lederhosen and dirndls out of your closet, now’s the time. Here are seven ways to enjoy San Diego Oktoberfest events this year. Prost!
San Diego’s largest Oktoberfest gathering returns to the cozy downtown of La Mesa for its 50th year. The event features three unique beer gardens, authentic German food, live music, a ferris wheel, carnival games, and more. To make the most of it, consider buying one of its VIP ticket bundles, which grants you access to all the beer gardens and a private VIP bar, and includes a commemorative stein, an alpine hat or flower crown, and more festive goodies.
Price: Free for all ages; beer garden entry is $8; VIP tickets start at $15
Get ready for one of San Diego’s liveliest Oktoberfest celebrations in Ocean Beach this year. The 21+ event has doubled its beachfront space, taking over the Ocean Beach Pier parking lot. It features two live music stages with performances from Off the Record’s Band of Gringos, BoomBox, Spacehall Sound Machine, and various DJ sets. Besides the live entertainment and beer garden, there will be a Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest competition, including brat eating and stein holding challenges. Show up early for two-for-one beers until 5:30 p.m. on Friday and until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Price: General admission is $15; VIP tickets pricing TBD
The coastal town of Encinitas celebrates its 29th annual Oktoberfest with family-friendly fun and festivities. This North County celebration features live German music, dance troupes, and food vendors, including Tarantino’s and Taste of Poland. There’s also a dog costume contest and an artisan market with over 130 local vendors. If you plan on drinking, you can catch a free shuttle from Flora Elementary or a bike valet from Wandering Road.
Price: Free admission
Time: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Address: Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Road & Rambling Road
Courtesy of Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Sept. 26-28 & Oct. 3-5
Hosted by the German American Societies of San Diego, the El Cajon gathering is the most authentic Oktoberfest in the county. The two-weekend celebration features music from German band Guggenbach-Buam from the Baden-Württemberg region, folk dancing, German food (including bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, sauerkraut, and German pastries), a market, and an opening day parade. The festival offers a dedicated kids’ zone with plenty of games as well as a raffle for two plane tickets to Germany. It’s a true taste of Munich without leaving America’s Finest City.
Price: Fridays & Saturdays are $15 for adults; Sundays are $5 for adults; Free for guests under 21 and active military
Liberty Public Market celebrates Oktoberfest for 10 days of daily deals from local breweries and festivities. Notable highlights include a Mini Beer Fest, featuring sample pours from some of San Diego’s hottest breweries; a Beer Bingo + Pint Night, with samples from Coronado Brewing; and Vinyl at the Market, featuring a DJ and a record market.
Price: Free admission
Time: Mini Beer Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 5-8 p.m.; Beer Bingo + Pint Night on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6-7 p.m.; and Vinyl at the Market on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Address: 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma
Courtesy of Oktoberfest at One Paseo
Oktoberfest at One Paseo
September 27
Celebrate Bavarian-style in a SoCal setting at One Paseo’s Oktoberfest, where the lawn transforms into a festive beer garden featuring local breweries, including Harland Brewing. Admission includes a beer tasting flight of local brews and a German-inspired lunch. The 21+ festival also features live music, beer hall games, and an Oktoberfest costume contest.
Price: $40
Time: 2–6 p.m.
Address: 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar
Courtesy of Bahia Resort
San Diego Oktoberfest Party Cruise
October 3
For an Oktoberfest celebration on the water, join the Bahia Resort’s festive sternwheeler boat on Mission Bay. The 21+ party cruise features a cash bar with beer, a live DJ, a stein-holding contest, and a photo booth to capture the moment. Bavarian-inspired snacks, including a bratwurst station and giant pretzels, will also be available. Save money when you buy tickets for groups of four or six guests.
Price: Tickets start at $29
Time: 8–11 p.m.
Address: 998 West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Beach
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
