Oktoberfest 2024: 9 events across Michigan

Break out your lederhosen because we’ve got all the fun Michigan Oktoberfest festivities lined up!

The month of October is a favorite amongst any fall-lover, but one of the big draws of October is the tradition of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is actually a historic event that originated in Munich, Germany on October 12, 1810. The fest was a two-week festival in the town to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. 

The festival heavily celebrated breweries and evolved over the years into more events such as parades, rides, games, music, and dancing. Munich still hosts a giant Oktoberfest every year that draws nearly two million people, but you don’t have to travel all the way to Germany to celebrate the occasion—here are some local Oktoberfest festivals you can find right here in Michigan. 

2024 Oktoberfest events in Southeastern Michigan

Detroit Oktoberfest

When: Sep. 16-Oct 3

Where: Various locations

You can find traditional German food, beer, and live music at many different venues in and around Detroit starting in mid-September. For instance, you can find Oktoberfest events at the Detroit Greektown Casino (fancy a pub crawl?) as well as Detroit Fleat, which will feature food trucks and nine different breweries. Lions fans can also celebrate the occasion on September 29 at Ford Field during the Lions vs. Chiefs games—all ticket holders get a German beer and pretzel!

Canterbury Village Oktoberfest

When: Sep 14-15

Where: Lake Orion, MI

This family-friendly Oktoberfest takes place within Canterbury Village. The weekend event features traditional German games like a pretzel toss, sausage eating contest, and even competitive nailing. There’s also live music to enjoy. The pub event only costs $5 cash (or $6 card). 

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest 

When: Sep. 19-22

Where: Frankenmuth, MI

I’m not sure there can be a more Oktoberfest-themed Oktoberfest than Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest. That’s because the small town of Frankenmuth appears to be a direct transplant of Bavaria, Germany, with Bavarian-themed architecture, decor, music, and food—all of which you can enjoy during Oktoberfest. You can buy tickets online ahead of time, at the door, or wait until Sunday of the event when admission is totally free. There are also shuttle buses that run through the fest, so you can easily (and safely) enjoy German beer while scoping out all of the fun around town. 

Saline Oktoberfest

When: Sep. 20 & 21, 2024

Where: 100 S Ann Arbor, Saline, MI 48176

With only a $10 admission fee, you can get access to live music and traditional German competitions like a wiener dog race, live music, Hammerspiel, and a beer tent. The event organizers encourage anyone who wants German pretzels to get there early on Saturday because the pretzels do sell out quickly. 

2024 Oktoberfest events in Southwestern Michigan

Grand Rapids Oktoberfest 

When: Sep 27 & 28, 2024

Where: Riverside Park, Grand Rapids

Oktoberfest in Grand Rapids is held at Riverside Park and features a lively mix of family-friendly and adult events and activities. You’ll definitely want to at least spectate the keg rolling and stein-holding contests. Kids will enjoy the bounce house area and lots of traditional German kids’ games like Schokoladenessen, which involves unrolling a chocolate bar with mittens on. 

Muskegon Oktoberfest

When: Sep 28, 2024

Where: Pigeon Hill

Taking place at the Brewer’s Lounge, the Muskegon Oktoberfest invites participants to test their strength in a stein-holding competition, have fun competing in oversized yard games, and listen to live German music. Everyone who attends is encouraged to wear their lederhosen or dirndl. 

Oktoberfest South Haven

When: Sep 28, 2024

Where: The race starts at the 500 block of Huron Street, behind Harbor Light Brewery, 516 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 49090

If you’re feeling like shaking loose of your lederhosen, you can lace up your running shoes and join South Haven’s Oktoberfest 5.5K race. The race includes not only day-of festivities but also a carb-loading community dinner and pancake breakfast the next morning, so there’s fun all weekend long. And don’t worry—it’s Oktoberfest, after all, so all runners will receive Brats, Bacon, & a Beer Stein! The race is also family-friendly, so strollers are encouraged for any parents or caregivers who want to bring along the little ones. 

2024 Oktoberfest events in Northern Michigan

Iron Mountain Oktoberfest

When: Sep. 28, 2024

Where: Downtown Iron Mountain

Continuing a 10-year tradition, Iron Mountain’s Iron Fest combines food trucks, beers, music, and outdoor games. Kids 12 and younger get in for free, but adults and teens will only pay $10 for admission. And “kids” of the 21-year-old and up variety can compete in the annual stein-holding competition. 

Pentwater Oktoberfest

When: October 12-13, 2024

Where: Downtown Pentwater

Oktoberfest in this quaint waterfront town sounds like the ideal way to celebrate fall, and although the town may be small, the celebrations are big. Along with traditional German music and food, the event features a 5K walk and run, home tours, a car and hot rod show, and yard games. You can make Oktoberfest as lively as you want or just pick up a seasonal hot chocolate and stroll through the town.  

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.