Prost! The beer festival that originated in Munich, Germany, is today celebrated by more than 6 million people worldwide, and the taps will be flowing in the DMV, too. Here’s where you can find fun for all ages starting Sept. 20.
Courthaus Social
Sept. 20-22
Friday to Sunday the dog-friendly eatery takes over Courthouse Plaza with a full lineup of festivities. The Oktoberfest fun kicks off with Yappy Hour, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. Dress Fido up for the dog costume contest while you sip a beer and enjoy food and drink specials. Come back in your own costume Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. for a stein holding contest followed by a lederhosen contest (for humans this time). The celebrations wrap up Sunday with a relaxing brunch starting at 11 a.m. // 2300 Clarendon Blvd. (Courthouse)
Settle Down Easy Brewing
Sept. 21, 12-6 p.m.
Don a free pretzel necklace while you munch on a kielbasa skewer or a brat off the grill. They’re all included in the price of your $30 ticket, along with one fill of beer and a commemorative stein. Bring the stein back for four more weeks of parties and activities, including PierogiFest. There’s usually a line to get into this festival, so be sure to plan ahead. // 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church
Shipgarten Bavarian Games and Puptoberfest
Sept. 21, 1-6 p.m.
Bring your pup and test your brawn at this afternoon of Bavarian games. The tapping of a keg flown in from Germany kicks off the event at 1:15, followed by a stein hoisting competition, a keg curl and a stein-to-stein competition—all to the beats of DJ Bianca Diamond. Choose from more than 50 beers from Germany, Belgium and Austria. The kids can enjoy an afternoon of face paint, moon bounce and crafts. Then head to the photo booth where you’ll find fun accessories for you and your pup. For more fun with your four-legged friend, come back the following weekend, Sept. 28, for a Dogtoberfest day of dog-friendly games and menus. // 7581 Colshire Drive, McLean (Tysons)
Oktoberfest at The Boro
Sept. 21, 2-5 p.m.
Raise a stein and groove to a polka beat at The Boro. When you’re worn out, hang in the biergarten at The Sandlot Tysons featuring seasonal suds from local breweries and watch as the experts take to the stage. A traditional Bavarian dance troupe will perform and then hold dance workshops for guests. The kids, meanwhile, can busy themselves with glitter tattoos, face painting, crafts and giveaways. The first 150 revelers to arrive will receive a branded beer mug. // 8350 Broad Street, Tysons
Oktoberfest National Landing
Sept. 28, 12-4 p.m.
Got big “guns”? Put those beefy biceps to good use to win National Landing’s Stein Hold competition. If you’re one of the first 500 guests to arrive, you’ll even get a free pour to fill that massive mug. Enjoy live music by the Alte Kumpel Band and classic Oktoberfest bites such as pretzels, brats, sauerkraut and brews from Port City Brewing Co., Crystal City Sports Pub and other 23rd Street businesses. Round out the festivities by entering the best dressed competition and then learn to polka dance with Now & Then Dance Studios. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. // 2200 S. Eads St. (National Landing)
Prost Keg Tapping and Celebration
Sept. 21–Oct. 6
Prost’s annual Oktoberfest celebration returns this year with a series of Bavarian events and live, authentic German music throughout. Kick off the festivities Sept. 21 with a traditional keg tapping ceremony at 7 p.m. Enjoy free beer while it lasts and toast the start of Oktoberfest. RSVP here. If you’re serious about the beer, don’t miss Ein Meter Bitte—a meter-long tray with small samples of ten different brews. On weekends, enjoy a bottomless Bundesliga Brunch from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with a side of soccer. Catch the biggest matches live, including Bayern Munich vs. Werder on Sept. 21 and VfB Stuttgart vs. Dortmund on Sept. 22. Come back Monday nights with your furry friends for Puptoberfest and trivia starting at 7 p.m. Dive deep into the world of German beer with a ticket to an educational class and tasting on Tuesday nights. Then show your beer drinking mettle in the stein hoisting competition (qualifiers Sept. 26 and finals Oct. 3). On Saturday, Sept. 28 experience Berlin’s vibrant nightlife right here in the DMV with Klubnacht and dance the night away with live DJs, Jäger specials and giveaways. // Multiple locations around D.C.
Alexandria Bier Garden Bar Crawl
Sept. 28, 4-11 p.m.
One bar just not enough? Dress in your best Oktoberfest attire, bring your friends and set out on a self-guided pub crawl. Plan your route on the digital bar crawl map. Tickets ($16.99 for the group rate, $19.99 for an individual or $24.99 day of) include access to more than four participating venues, the bar crawl map and bargain drink specials. Celebrations at Alexandria Bier Garden go on through October 6, with six types of Oktoberfest brews, 2-pound pretzels and live music. // 710 King St., Alexandria
Port City Brewing
Oct. 2, noon
Snap into your snazziest lederhosen and trachtenshirt for the annual costume contest at 5 p.m. Then put those beer-drinking arms to the test in a stein hoisting competition with prizes for the winners. While you’re at it, choose from among five German-style beers: Port City’s award winning Oktoberfest, or the Hefeweizen, Schwarzbier, German Pilsner and COLOSSAL IX (Weizenbock). Haute Dogs and Fries, Daddy G’s Craft Salsa and Quarterdeck Food Truck will be serving up some Oktoberfest-inspired grub. // 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria
Vienna Oktoberfest
Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-7p.m.
Three music stages, five participating restaurants, free kids activities and an artisan marketplace mean there’s something for just about everyone at this annual celebration. Enjoy a selection of beer and wine from Caboose Brewing, Vienna Vintner, Norm’s Beer & Wine, Hawk & Griffen and Settle Down Easy. Kids activities include inflatables, crafts, shows and games. // Find the festivities all along Church Street in Vienna
Oktoberfest at Rustico
Oct. 5, 12-6 p.m.
Head straight to the patio, which will be transformed into a lively Bavarian Beer Garden with ten traditional German-style festbiers and a la carte Bavarian inspired specials such as Grilled Beer Bratwurst, Chicken Schnitzel and warm Pretzels with mustard and beer cheese. Get a special-edition one liter mug when you buy a large format beer. Enjoy live music by the Alpine Players from 1-4 p.m. The event is free to attend. Lederhosen optional. // 827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria
Kids and Family Oktoberfest at Shipgarten
Oct. 6 12-6 p.m.
You’ll find a Taylor Swift lookalike, Miss Rachel and Spiderman embracing German culture during this family-oriented Oktoberfest celebration. Meet the “celebrities” for a photo opp and enjoy live entertainment from the special guests throughout the day. Youngsters can also participate in interactive games designed for kids, get their faces painted and participate in arts and crafts. // Shipgarten, 7581 Colshire Drive, McLean (Tysons)