Munich may have launched the keg-tapping, polka-dancing tradition of Oktoberfest to commemorate a royal wedding event more than 200 years earlier, however Texans have excitedly locked on to the custom-made. And it makes good sense, thinking about that about 40,000 German immigrants moved to the Lone Star State between the 1830s and 1890s, settling primarily in the Texas Hill Country where the countryside reminded them of home. Others made their homes in North Texas or in cities like Galveston, Houston and San Antonio.
The biggest Oktoberfest worldwide still unfolds in Munich, where the annual party draws some 6 million visitors over 16 days. However in Texas, where larger is almost always better, you’ll discover a few of the most celebratory Oktoberfests in the nation. You can twirl to oompah music, eat potato pancakes and bratwurst, and hoist a stein filled with German beer, too.
To see on your own, here are the 9 finest Oktoberfest festivals hosted each year in Texas.
01
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New Braunfels
You’ll find the state’s most significant variation of Oktoberfest in the German-infused city of New Braunfels just north of San Antonio. Wurstfest started in 1961, when an enterprising meat inspector came up with the idea of a celebration to honor his favorite city export: sausage.
Things started small, but today more than 240,000 people crowd celebration premises at Landa Park in downtown New Braunfels over 10 days to dance the Chicken Dance, drink beer, yodel, take a spin on carnival trips, and consume traditional fare such as sausage, Weiner schnitzel, and potato pancakes called kartoffelpuffers.
This year’s Wurstfest takes place the first 10 days of November.
02
of 07
Fredericksburg
German immigrants founded the town of Fredericksburg, named for Prince Frederick of Prussia, in 1846, and homeowners have actually been proudly promoting their city’s heritage since.
Revelers can dance to oompah music, enter a dirndl and lederhosen contest, twirl to the polka, choose from more than 50 sort of beer, or eat bratwurst, apple strudel, fondue, and German tacos. This year’s musical lineup consists of the Walburg Boys, Czechaholics, Der Kleine Steins, and Yodel Blitz. Proceeds benefit the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance, which funds trainee scholarships and local art jobs and concerts.
This year’s Oktoberfest occurs the very first weekend in October at the Marktplatz downtown.
03
of 07
Galveston
The 42nd yearly Island Oktoberfest occurs in late October in Galveston, best known as the birth place of Juneteenth and the fourth-biggest cruise port in the United States.
The ceremonial keg tapping occurs Friday evening, and the weekend lineup consists of a German chocolate cake baking contest, a stein hoisting contest, and a chicken dance competitors (costumes and imagination encouraged). The cooking emphasize? The “wurstabendessen,” a sausage supper including German-style and Polish-style wurst.
Celebrations take place on the grounds and streets surrounding First Lutheran Church in the historical downtown area.
04
of 07
Beaumont
Not far from the Louisiana border, the East Texas city of Beaumont gets in on the Oktoberfest action, too. The city, where the Spindletop gusher kicked off an oil rush in 1901, hosts its version of Oktoberfest in early October at Rogers Park.
05
of 07
Austin
The German Texas Heritage Society hosts what it calls the most genuine rendition of Oktoberfest in the location on the 2nd weekend in October at the German Free School. Gown in German outfit, sip beer, bring the kids, and get ready for a musical lineup that, this year, includes Yodel Blitz, the Walburg Boys, and Off the Grid. A part of proceeds will be used to fund the restoration of the historical staircase at the 168-year-old structure.
06
of 07
Muenster
North of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the small city of Muenster channels its German roots with its own version of Oktoberfest that includes a dachshund dash, a stein holding contest, German music, along with a 5K, 10K, and half marathon.
Muenster’s festival got its start in 1976 and takes place the first weekend in October at Heritage Park Event Center. The official tapping of the keg happens on Saturday, followed by a best dirndl and lederhosen competitors.
07
of 07
Dallas
Who stated Oktoberfest had to feature only German music? The Oktoberfest festivities take location the first Saturday in October at Flag Pole Hill north of White Rock Lake.
