It’s almost September, and here in DFW that means Oktoberfests, and lots of ‘em. It’s like a whole season unto itself.

Dentonites (and other DFW’ers) might call it Brave Combo season. A Grammy-winning local party band with an appearance credit on The Simpsons and a myriad of other pop-culture achievements,  Brave Combo will be playing at about a dozen area Oktoberfests, plus a couple of other big fall festivals in the coming weeks.

(Brave Combo is pictured above: Robert Hokamp, Alan Emert, Jeffrey Barnes, Carl Kleinsteuber, Carl Finch) Photo Credit: Jane Beaver

In Munich, the original home of the celebration, Oktoberfest runs from Sept 21 through Oct 6. In DFW, the party starts earlier and continues even longer. I’ve collected a list of about 30 local Oktoberfests, with dates and details, highlights, costs and more.

Some are hosted by their cities. Other events are hosted by restaurants and bars, each putting their unique spin on the celebration. Some events are awesome, some are significantly less spectacular, but you can pick the experience you want and choose something from this fairly comprehensive list. 

Whether you’re looking for an authentic Munich-style celebration, a frolicking beer-drinking romp, or family friendly activities like weiner dog races, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at one of these festivals.

Texanischer Schuhplattler Verein at Celina Oktoberfest, via Celina Oktoberfest Facebook.

MY TOP PICKS

My top picks  are McKinney, Celina, and Addison, in that order.

McKinney gets the nod, for fun activities and a great location. But this fest’s primary achievement is making the festival as close to free as this type of event can be. Free admission, free parking, a free shuttle from the free parking. You will have to buy your food, but not with tickets, so there’s no standing in line twice, no wasted tickets. Bring your credit or debit card, and buy what you want. Registration is free for all of the contests except stein holding, Registration is required and participation is limited, so visit the Eventbrite reservations page to get signed up. (Right away, as they WILL sell out.) I’d go so far as to call McKinney Oktoberfest one of the top can’t-miss festivals of the year in the DFW area. 

Formerly tiny town Celina nabs second place from me  because this small town (about 50,000 people) brings bigtime German culture to their annual event. Authentic German bands and dance groups return to the stage year after year, so the fest’s tagline “music to my beers” is very appropriate. The price is right too with admission priced at $5 or at zero dollars if you come in traditional costume. All in all, it’s worth the drive. Be sure to check out all the highlights in the listing below.

Addison Oktoberfest has much to recommend it and has won many accolades in its 35 years. It’s a fantastic event, and if you like BIG festivals, it’s the best of the best. I didn’t dub it first place in my rankings because for me, bigger isn’t always better. Bigger events often mean more opportunities to spend. Bigger spaces mean more walking, which is good for us, but challenging for mobility-impaired folks, little kids, and tired parents. Still, it’s highlights are extensive–literally too many to list–and far outweigh any downside. Check out the highlights in the listing below.

TruckYard gets a call-out because of its (sometimes raucous) party vibe at all three locations.

Knocktoberfest deserves a shout-out for mashing up a timely theme with a fall fundraising event and hosting it in Bishop Arts, which is a great neighborhood for a festival.

GREAT NEWS THIS OKTOBERFEST SEASON

For the first time in years, Addison Oktoberfest is not the same weekend as Grapefest in Grapevine. They’ve overlapped for many years. But this year, if you’re so inclined, you can do a full weekend of each — celebrate wine one weekend and beer the next!

Some people may consider other news even better. Several festivals have eliminated coupons/tickets for food and drink purchases. I’ve called them “ticketless” below. Update: Hidden in the FAQs of various event pages, I found that some ticketless festivals will stilll use coupons for rides and games, just not for food and drinks. Baby steps, I guess.

Now on to the list, which is in order by date, and then by proximity to Dallas. I hope you’ll use it to make plans to Prost as many times as you want all fall.

Wiener Dog Races are part of the fun at Oktoberfest celebrations, and parties at Truck Yard BRING the fun. Image via Facebook

Oktoberfest Events in and Around Dallas

Saturdays & Sundays, September 7 – November 3 Oktoberfest Food Fest at Six Flags Over Texas

I’m filing this one under “If you’re going to Six Flags anyway…”. Click the link above for dates and ticket prices.

September 14 | Trucktoberfest at three different Truck Yard locations | Opens at 11 am, Entertainment starts at noon

FREE, addons available. Highlights: Weiner Dog Race, Stein Hoisting Contest, Pretzel Eating Contest, German Music, Costumes Encouraged.

Dallas, The Colony, Alliance (Fort Worth)

September 14 | Punktoberfest (Facebook link) at Lakewood Brewing, Garland | Noon-7 pm | FREE
Highlights: TRIPLE beer release Punkel, Drunkel and Punktress and THREE punk bands – The Bourcy Leos, Ben McKracken and Joe Russel

Sept 14 | Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest 5K at Rahr & Sons, Fort Worth | 8:30 am-11:30 am | $65 Run and Party, $40 Party Only

Sept 14 | Krumtoberfest at 50 West, Krum | 9 am-10 pm |$15 Presale/$20 Door for Brave Combo Concert

Addison Oktoberfest. Photo Courtesy of Addison Oktoberfest.

TOP PICK RANKING: #3

Sept 19-21 | Addison Oktoberfest at Addison Circle Park | Free Thursday, $15 Fri/Sat $10 Sunday. Food and drinks are now TICKETLESS, though previously purchased Tasty Bucks from other Addison events will be honored.

Hours Thurs Sept 19: 5pm – 11pm Fri Sept 20: 5pm – midnight Sat Sept 21: Noon – midnight Sept 22: Noon – 6pm

Highlights: Long-running (35 years) and largest Oktoberfest in the DFW area. Extensive German Food and Bier Vendors, Games, Contests, Dachshund Races, Many Polka and German Music Bands and Performers, Kidsgarten Activities, Teen-Centered Partyplatz, and way more than you’ll have time to do in a day.

Sept 21 | 4th Annual Oktoberfest at Pegasus City Brewery Downtown) (Facebook link) | FREE
Highlights: Big “D” Jamboree Oktoberfest beer release, cask tappings. Stein Hoisting, Beer Barrel Rolling, and Outstanding Oktoberfest Outfit competitions. Beer, Brats, pretzels and other food and drink options.

Sept 21 | Spocktoberfest at Celestial Beerworks | FREE  (20oz specialty stein,and three beers $30)
Highlights: Lager tappings, live music from the Alpine Village Band, specialty German-inspired pizzas by ThreeSmiths, and stein-holding and chugging competitions.

Sept 21, 28, Oct 5 | Oktoberfest at Oak Highlands Brewery | (Likely free, More info TBA)
Highlights: Stein Holding, Hammer-Schlagen, Miss Oktoberfest, Dog Races. German style food and live music.

Sept 21 | Fall Fest & Guzzler Run 0.5K  at the Downtown Square, Garland | FREE Fest (Run is $25-35)

This is not a typo; the race is not a 5K, it’s a half a K! If you’re wondering how far that is, it’s just over 6 blocks.  Registration on RunSignUp.com  is $25 and will increase to $35 after Sept 14. All runners must pre- register; there will be no on-site registration.

For runners and non-runners alike, the evening event includes FREE live music, a Kid’s Zone, a festive Pumpkin Patch photo op, and Bowling with Pumpkins.

Sept 21, 27, 29 | Oktoberfest at Maple Branch Craft Brewery, Fort Worth | Likely free, Details TBA

Sept 23-24 | Oktoberfest at Dallas Arboretum | Free for Members/ Non-member Admission ($22/13)

Sept 26-28 | Fort Worth Oktoberfest at Trinity Park, Fort Worth | $10 Fri, $15 Sat/Sun, includes a stein

Highlights: Multiple large bier halle tents with seating and entertainment, biergartens, a midway and marktstrasse filled with German food and vendors. The music lineup includes Alex Meixner Band, Das Ist Lustig, Chardon Polka Band, Alpenmusikanten and Walburg Boys. Competitions include a dachshund race, stein hoisting, stein carrying and bier barrel rolling plus a 20-mile urban bike ride and a 5k Run.

#1 TOP PICK RANKING

Sept 27-29 | McKinney Oktoberfest at Historic Downtown McKinney | FREE, FREE PARKING, FREE SHUTTLE,  TICKETLESS food and drink purchases. Credit cards and digital pay options are encouraged. 

Carnival rides and games do require coupons.

Sept 28 | Hard Nights Day at TUPPS Brewery during McKinney Oktoberfest | $15

Mckinney Oktoberfest has a PARADE! Photo via Historic Downtown McKinney Facebook page.

Highlights:

Things really get kicked off with a parade Friday afternoon at 6 p.m. Starting at noon on Saturday, you can watch the weiner dog races, followed by races for all the  Weiner-bes (dogs that only wish they were wiener dogs).

A total of eight music acts and dance groups will perform throughout the weekend. Denton-based Brave Combo and Dallas-based Baba Yaga Orkestar are among them.

The competitions available at this fest are really unique. They include a Brat-eating contest, a beard and mustache competition, and a Marionette drinking game, but only with water or root beer. (Still, if you’ve never seen this, you gotta check it out.)

Visit the event website for the full three-day schedule.

Sept 28 | Oktoberfest at Community Beer Co | FREE  (or Pre-purchase a stein and beer for $15)
Highlights: Seasonal beer releases, German-inspired food, Oktoberfest games, adoptable dogs

Sept 28 | Oktoberfest with Dallasites 101 at The Village| 6 pm-midnight

$15-25 | Beer | Themed Cocktails | Live Music | Stein-hoisting | Costume contests

BAR CRAWLS

Sept 28 | Dallas Oktoberfest Bar Crawl at Trinity Cider | Free admission with no drinks/specials, $19.99

Sept | Fort Worth Oktoberfest Bar Crawl at Bar 2909, Fort Worth | Free admission with no drinks/specials, $17.99

Sept 28 | ODDtoberfest at Odd Muse Brewing, Farmers Branch | More info TBA. Likely free.
Highlights: Casks of ODDTOBER  Oktoberfest Marzen Lager, Food, Live Music. Hammerschlagen

Stein hoisting tournament prelims every Friday and Saturday through Sept 21. Championship at the main event Sept 28.

Sept 28 | Pilot Point Oktoberfest at Historical Square, Pilot Point | Likely free, but not stated anywhere
Highlights: Dirndl & Lederhosen Costume contest, Volkswagen Show, Dachshund races, Egg Races, Brave Combo

Sept 28 | OktoberWest at Western Son Distillery, Pilot Point | $25
Continue the evening after a day at the Pikot Point Oktoberfest, or just show up for music from Keller Cox and Graycie York, followed by the Cory Morrow Band,

Sept 30 | Oktoberfest Beer Dinner at Urban Crust, Plano | $65 for Four Courses and Four Beers

Oct 4-6 | First Annual Oktoberfest at Glen Echo Brewing, Wylie | Presumably free (no cost/tickets shown)

WANNA HIT THE ROAD? These two Oktoberfests in towns with significant German heritage are worth the drive! 

Oct 4-6 | Fredericksburg Oktoberfest at 114 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

Oct 4-6 | Muenster Oktoberfest at Heritage Park Event Center, Muenster

Oct 5 | Oktoberfest Dallas at Flag Pole Hill Park at White Rock Lake | $20/$10 Presale $25/$12 Day Of
Hosted by the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands, this annual Oktoberfest funds for the club’s grant and scholarship programs. There’s not a ton of focus on German heritage here, but it’s a fun family festival and you can get beer and brats and pretzels.

Entertainment: Cory Morrow, Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute, and The LAB.

Oct 5 | Irving Oktoberfest Half Marathon at Toyota Music Factory, Irving | Runs $59.99 and up, Spectator Pass $20
With multiple race distances available and a fun after-party, this is an energetic event for runners as well as spectators.

Oct 5 | Frisco Oktoberfest at The Star in Frisco | FREE. Also TICKETLESS, No Cash Accepted.
Highlights: Wiener Dog Race, Bier Stein Hoisting Contests, Brat Eating Challenges, Keg Rolling, and Stein Relays, Mr. and Ms. Oktoberfest. German dancing and music with a lineup including local favorites The Royal Klobasneks, The Dogensteins,  Baba Yaga Orkestar, and Brave Combo. 

Oct 5 | Oktoberversary at Armor Brewing, Allen FREE (VIP Tickets Available for Purchase)
Highlights: Signature Danke (Oktoberfest beer) and the returning favorite, Angry Alice. German food and communal tables. VIP Buffet available. Dunk tank, Petting Zoo, Photobooth.

Oct 12 | Hausfest at Vector Brewing |FREE
Highlights: 4L Fun Run and Family Run/Walk (both are free), Market Village, The Oompah Daddies , Texas OU game with SOUND ON.

Traditional music is a BIG part of Celina Oktoberfest. Photo via Celina Oktoberfest Facebook.

TOP PICK RANKING: #2

Oct 12 | Celina Oktoberfest at the Downtown Square, Celina | $5 (or free if you wear traditional lederhosen or dirndl)

Highlights: Authentic music and dancing is what makes this festival stand out. In one day, you can enjoy tuba quartet Imperial Brass, The Royal Klobasneks, and the Texanischer Schuhplattler Verein dancers. After a full day of German music, local country band Brave Combo headlines at 7:30 p.m.

Other Activities: German Food and Beer, Dachshund Derby, Beer Pong, Petting Zoo, Stein Holding,

Oct 11-13 | Southlake Oktoberfest at Southlake Town Square | FREE, Free Parking, Ticketless, Cash Free
HIghlights: Traditional German Music on the German Stage with other varieties interspersed with German acts on the Main Stage. 

Oct 19 | OktoberFeast at Flying Saucer, Fort Worth | $45, $10 Off Early Bird currently in effect
HIghlights: Beer Tastings, Live Music featuring Mike Randall and Paul Val, Brats and Pretzels, Oktoberfest outfits encouraged: prizes for best-dressed.

Oct 20 | Knocktoberfest at 400 Block of Eight Street (Bishop Arts near Hunky’s & Dude, Sweet Chocolate) | $50

This event is produced by and is a fundraiser for Mammogram Poster Girls (formerly Shop, Eat, Drink Pink)