Dust off your dirndls, lederhosen and knee-high socks—it’s Oktoberfest season.
The centuries-old tradition of gathering with friends and family for German beer and food is one that’s widely celebrated in Long Beach and Signal Hill.
The annual festival originated in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of the prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I. Early versions of the festivals included horse races and agricultural fairs. The celebrations have spread all over the world, and imitations include wiener dog races, stein hoisting contests and plenty of beer.
Local breweries are touting their carefully selected craft beers (many of them imported from overseas) on their rotating menus for the next month, and hosting parties to kick off festivities. Residents can flock to the 3rd annual Oktoberfest hosted every weekend through the end of October for a larger party.
From full-on festivals to craft brewery celebrations, this list will guide you through the next month of Oktoberfest gatherings.
Trademark Brewing’s Doodlefest, Sept. 30 from noon to 8 p.m.
The annual Doodlefest is back for another year and welcoming all dogs—and humans too! Trademark Brewing will reintroduce its annual Oktoberfest amber lager, Lagerdoodle and many other German-inspired beers. Residents can enjoy brats and buns from local bakery Colossus Bread, games, music, a stein hoisting contest and a dog costume contest with prizes for winners.
Entry is free, or residents can purchase a Doodlefest package for $30 that comes with a commemorative stein, a liter of Doodlefest at the event, a pretzel necklace and free entry into the stein hoisting contest. RSVP and purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
Ten Mile Brewing’s Oktoberfest and 6th anniversary, Sept. 30 from noon to 11 p.m.
Signal Hill’s one and only brewery is celebrating its sixth birthday along with its annual Oktoberfest Celebration. The brewery will be releasing eight new Oktoberfest-themed beers, a limited edition pizza kitchen menu, authentic German food from Rasselbock and gelato from local pop-up Cold Hearted.
Residents can pre-order their limited edition stein on Ten Mile Brewing’s website and skip the line to purchase one on Sept. 30.
The celebration will have no shortage of things to do including stein hoisting for adults and root beer hoisting for kids, a log saw competition, best-dressed competition, a brat toss and live music. Animal lovers can enjoy a wiener dog race at 12:30, a cherished Ten Mile Brewing tradition. To sign up your dog DM Ten Mile Brewing on Instagram.
Long Beach Oktoberfest, every weekend from Sept. 29 through Oct. 22
The 3rd Annual Long Beach Oktoberfest will feature 12 days of Bavarian fun, Long Beach-style at the Scottish Rite Event Center every Friday Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 29 to Oct. 22. Enjoy traditional Bavarian beers straight from Munich, including the Paulaner Golden Oktoberfest Bier and others from the Paulaner Brewery.
The festival includes day-time and night-time passes, with family-centered fun scheduled for the days and nights set apart for residents ages 21 and older. Each day will feature hours of live music from Festmeister Hans Und Die Sauerkrauts, stein hoisting competitions, das boot competitions and more activities.
Tickets can be purchased online.
Bellflower Steelcraft’s Oktoberfest, Sept. 30 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Bellflower location of Steelcraft will host its annual Oktoberfest party, complete with a wiener dog race, a stein holding contest, live polka music, craft beers and special menu items from over seven eateries and breweries.
Rasslebock, every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 28
Long Beach’s authentic German brewery and eatery celebrated its ceremonial keg tap on Sept. 16, but they will be serving German beer and food all year long. Each Friday and Saturday, residents can enjoy live music beginning at 6:30 p.m. and participate in a stein hoisting contest starting at 8:30 p.m.
Long Beach Steelcraft’s Oktoberfest, Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Bellflower location of Steelcraft will host its annual Oktoberfest party, complete with a wiener dog race, a stein holding contest, live polka music, craft beers and special menu items from over five restaurants.
Prost! Long Beach!, Oct. 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This family-friendly event will take place at the Promenade in North Long Beach (300 The Promenade N) to feature German food, a beer garden, games, photo props, live music, activities for kids, shopping and more.
Admission is free, but residents can RSVP on Eventbrite.
LB Beer Lab’s 6th Anniversary & Oktoberfest, Oct. 15 from noon to 5 p.m.
The Long Beach Beer Lab is celebrating six years and Oktoberfest on the same day, with craft beers, experimental menu items from its in-house kitchen, a crafts fair, alchemical beats, stein holding contests and a wiener dog race.
Admission is free.
