Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego
Dig the lederhosen and dirndl out of the closet and grab your best stein. It’s that time of year again for the most famous German tradition: Oktoberfest!
And given our city’s love of beer, you have a lot of options to celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego. Here’s a guide to help you plan your celebration!
La Mesa Oktoberfest | October 4 – 6
We’re raising our steins to La Mesa Oktoberfest‘s 51st year! This Bavarian bash is turning the quaint streets of La Mesa Village into a German wonderland that’ll have us all shouting “Prost!” until we’re hoarse.
For just five bucks (and kiddos slide in free), we’re getting the full festival experience. Think three packed biergartens, tunes ranging from foot-stomping Polka to head-nodding indie rock, and enough giant pretzels and crispy schnitzel to fuel our dancing all weekend long.
New this year? We’re stoked about Artisan Alley on Allison Avenue. It’s perfect for snagging unique local goodies—because nothing says “I care” like a hand-crafted La Mesa Oktoberfest treasure, right?
The German Kinder Karneval is back too, complete with a towering Ferris wheel and the adorable Dackeldorf Dachshund Village. And for the muscle-flexors among you, the Glücklich Games are calling your name.
Mark your calendars for October 4 to 6, 2024. Grab your dirndl, polish your stein, and we’ll see you there!
Annual East Village Oktoberfest | October 5
East Village Oktoberfest is set to transform Quartyard into a slice of Bavaria, complete with flowing beer, mouthwatering eats, and enough oompah to keep you dancing all day long.
Quartyard will be buzzing with the sounds of traditional Polka, tribute bands, and Latin-infused tunes. We’re talking a full-on sensory overload, with locals and musicians alike decked out in lederhosen and dirndls—it’s like the Munich arts district decided to vacation in San Diego!
Encinitas Oktoberfest | September 29
We’re strapping on our lederhosen and heading to the beach for the 28th annual Encinitas Oktoberfest! This SoCal spin on the German classic is bringing a taste of Munich to our sunny shores.
Sun-kissed surfers will be clinking steins to oompah bands, creating a vibe that’s uniquely Encinitas. Two beer gardens will be pouring local faves like Burgeon Beer Co. and Modern Times, while Los Cuernos California Wine keeps the vino flowing for those who prefer grapes to hops.
Bringing the little ones? There’s a play zone with inflatable slides and rock climbing that’ll make you wish you could shrink for a day. And for the first time ever, your furry friends can strut their stuff in a pet costume contest.
The best part? It’s free to attend! This Bavarian beach bash is happening on Sunday, September 29, from 11 AM to 7 PM on Mountain Vista Drive. Skip the parking headache and hop on the free shuttle from Flora Vista Elementary School, running from 10:45 AM to 7:15 PM.
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest | October 11 – 12
Ocean Beach is about to turn into the wildest Oktoberfest party San Diego’s ever seen! Mark your calendars for October 11 and 12, 2024, because they’re doubling down on beachfront fun where Newport meets the waves.
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest is leveling up with two stages of non-stop entertainment. The Jägermeister Main Stage will be pumping out live tunes and hosting epic contests, while the new Electronica Stage brings the beats with a killer DJ lineup.
And get this—competitive eating legend Joey Chestnut is joining the party! He’s teaming up with Jägermeister to attempt his 56th Guinness World Record for the most people toasting. Talk about raising the bar!
They’re kicking things off in true OB style with 2-for-1 beers on Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM and Saturday from 12 PM to 2 PM. It’s the perfect excuse to dust off those lederhosen a little early.
Plus, your good times help give back. They’ve donated over $750,000 to good causes to date, with $50,000 going out each year. So grab your crew, snag those VIP tickets, and let’s make some waves at the beach’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration!
North Park’s Oktoberfest Mini Golf Crawl | September 26
North Park is transforming into a beer-lover’s mini-golf paradise in their inaugural Putt-Oberfest!
Picture this mashup of Bavarian tradition and hipster cool. You’ll be putting your way through 18 holes spread across North Park’s coolest spots. We’re talking Original 40 Brewing, Seven Grand, Modern Times Beer, and a bunch more. It’s like a bar crawl, but with more putting and pretzels.
As you zigzag through the neighborhood, you’ll score some sweet deals on food and drinks. It’s the perfect excuse to explore North Park’s hidden gems while working on your short game.
Starting point? The North Park Farmers Market. From there, you’re free to tackle the course in any order you fancy. Just grab your scorecard and let the games begin!
The whole shindig covers about 1.5 to 2 miles, so wear your comfy shoes. You’ll be strolling, sipping, and swinging for a good 30 to 40 minutes.
This Bavarian-meets-SoCal extravaganza is happening on Thursday, September 26, from 4 PM to 8 PM. Tickets are selling faster than beer at a Bavarian festival, so don’t snooze on grabbing yours.
Craftoberfest at Liberty Public Market | September 20 – 29
Liberty Public Market is about to transform into a craft beer paradise. Get ready for Craftoberfest, a 10-day extravaganza that’ll have you saying “Prost!” with a local twist.
From September 20 to 29, we’re diving into a sea of craft brews, mouthwatering vendor specials, and enough fun activities to keep you buzzing (and we’re not just talking about the beer). We’ve got our eyes on some sweet Liberty Public Market prizes up for grabs throughout the event.
So grab your crew and come raise a glass (or several) to San Diego’s craft beer scene.
Oktoberfest at One Paseo | September 28
One Paseo is turning into a mini-Munich, complete with a SoCal twist. Local hotshot Classic Distribution is curating a killer lineup of brews (Harland, obviously), wines, and spirits. And the food? German fare with a One Paseo spin that’ll make your taste buds do the polka.
We’re talking traditional tunes, beer-hall games, and a costume contest that’ll put your lederhosen to the test. All this goodness for about $35, including 4 oz. pours and food.
And you’ll also be helping out the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Foundation. Prost to that!
San Diego Oktoberfest Party Cruise | October 5
The William D. Evans sternwheeler is transforming into a floating biergarten for one epic night on October 5!
From 6 PM to 9:30 PM, we’re talking a three-hour tour of tasty proportions. Imagine yourself sipping on authentic Oktoberfest brews, munching on giant pretzels and Bavarian sausages, all while cruising Mission Bay. It’s like Germany meets SoCal, and it’s awesome.
Live German folk music on the lower deck will have you breaking out your best chicken dance while upstairs, a DJ keeps the party popping. Don’t forget to hit up the photo booth—lederhosen selfies are a must!
At $40 a pop, it’s a steal for a night of Bavarian bliss! Click here for more info and to grab your tickets.
See you there!
You’ve got so many options to celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego, you’d swear you were in Munich (well… almost)!
We’ll see you there, San Diego!