Prost! Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Central Florida
The annual Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, draws more than 6 million people for a celebration of Bavarian beer, food, culture and entertainment. The origins of these festivities date back more than 200 years.
For those without the time or the means to travel across the Atlantic, there are festivities much closer to home. Many Central Florida venues have their own gatherings inspired by the German festival. In fact, there are nearly two dozen events with options each weekend for the next six weeks to satisfy revelers of all interests.
Here are ways to celebrate Oktoberfest with bratwurst, beer and Bavarian festivities in the greater Orlando area.
ICON Park on Orlando’s International Drive is hosting its first Oktoberfest celebration with specials on food, beer and Bavarian entertainment during upcoming weekends. Beer flights with seasonal brews will be available from The Lawn Bar for $16; souvenir glass steins are available for purchase as well. German food available includes bratwurst and sauerkraut, chicken schnitzel, pretzels and apple strudel. Enjoy the specials 5-10 p.m. Fridays and 2-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 16-Oct. 3. More information: iconparkorlando.com
À La Cart, Orlando’s food truck and beer hangout destination, is back with more than two weeks of Oktoberfest festivities. Find German-inspired specials from multiple food trucks and a beer lineup with plenty of Oktoberfest offerings. In addition, there are beer chugging competitions with “das boot” and a chance to win a $100 gift card. The celebration goes on Sept. 17-Oct. 3 at 609 Irvington Ave. in Orlando. More information: alacartorlando.com
Krush Brau Park in Kissimmee, which is located on a site that was formerly a zoo, aims to provide an authentic German experience with its Oktoberfest. This event features well-known German beers, traditional food and entertainment. Festivities include stein holding, yodeling, German limbo and more. Tickets are $5; children ages 12 and younger, and veterans, enter for free. The festival is open 4-11 p.m. Fridays (and Thursdays in October), noon-11 p.m. Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30. More information: krushbraupark.com
City Works Eatery & Pour House in Disney Springs offers a limited-time, German-inspired menu with currywurst, pork belly spaetzle and pork schnitzel from Sept. 17-Oct. 3. In addition, visitors can find special Oktoberfest and fall beers from Crooked Can, Bergermeister, Sam Adams, Goose Island and more. Find the specials at 1486 E. Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista. More information: cityworksrestaurant.com
The 7th Brütober-Versary in Tavares provides music, Oktoberfest beers and seasonal food offerings with free admission at Brü Tap House. Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 and go through 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at 143 E. Main St. in Tavares. More information: facebook.com
Redlight Redlight Oktoberfest brings an event with live music, food and liter hoisting. Enjoy festivities 2-10 p.m. Sept. 17 at 2810 Corrine Drive in Orlando. More information: facebook.com
Deviant Wolfe Oktoberfest lands in Sanford with German-style beers, food and merriment. Deviant Wolfe will also celebrate the birthday of its head brewer, Matt Rolfe. Enjoy the festivities noon-8 p.m. Sept. 24 at 121 W. 1st St. in Sanford. More information: facebook.com
An Oktoberfest Celebration at Alestone Brewing encourages visitors to bust out the lederhosen and “lace up your drinking shoes.” Guests can sip a new Marzen called “Flea Circus” while enjoying food and traditional music in the taproom. Explore the event from noon-7 p.m. Sept. 24 at 351 N. Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Longwood. More information: facebook.com
Hourglass Brewing is spreading the Oktoberfest love throughout Central Florida with celebrations at the company’s Longwood and Curry Ford locations. The Hourglass Longwood location will have live polka music and plenty of beer offerings, while the Curry Ford taproom will also have bites from the Schnitz and Giggles food truck. A $20 ticket, sold on Eventbrite, can be purchased in advance to get a 20-oounce stein, two German draughts and five entires for a YETI cooler raffle. The festivities are 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sept. 24 at 480 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Longwood and 2500 Curry Ford Road. More information: facebook.com
The 8th Annual Oktoberfest at Roque Pub brings guests plenty of Oktoberfest and seasonal ales, live music with Boomershine, plus drink and food specials. Find the festival 7-11:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at 3076 Curry Ford Road in Orlando. More information: facebook.com
Liam’s Oktoberfest is back with Sam Adams beer, German food specials and live music at Liam Fitzpatrick’s Restaurant and Irish Pub. Guests can participate in a stein-hoisting contest and compete for the best lederhosen and dirndl outfits. Find the celebration 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Sept. 29 at 951 Market Promenade Ave. in Lake Mary. More information: facebook.com
Oviedo Brewing Company’s “Mall-Toberfest” 2022 helps brewery enthusiasts celebrate the “pinnacle of beer season” with this fourth annual event. Visitors can purchase 20-ounce ceramic beer steins or indulge in German food and beer. The event offers indoor and outdoor seating and is dog-friendly. Find the festivities noon-10 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 1280 Oviedo Mall Blvd. in Oviedo. More information: facebook.com
Dezerland Action Park offers a family-friendly Oktoberfest celebration on weekends throughout October. The park will serve up traditional German dishes and Samuel Adams’ seasonal offerings. Guests can also explore one of the world’s largest Volkswagen collections. Explore the event Fridays-Sundays Sept. 30-Oct. 30. More information: dezerlandpark.com
Suncreek Brewery’s “Suntoberfest” provides live German music, food and drink specials and the Deutschland Perle lager for German-inspired celebrations. Listen to music from FiddleRat, Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band, King Guys and more. Enjoy the festivities from noon-9 p.m. Oct. 1-2 at 790 W. Minneola Ave. in Clermont. More information: facebook.com
Avalon Park hosts an Oktoberfest with a beer garden, live music, dancing and food. The community will also host a “Weiner Dog Derby” on Oct. 8. A beer garden preview opens 5-10 p.m. Oct. 7 and a family-friendly community festival is 5-10 p.m. Oct. 8 at 3651 Avalon Park Blvd. East in Orlando. More information: avalonparkorlando.com
Apopka Oktoberfest and Craft Show brings a family-friendly festival with 90 vendors and 15 food trucks, plus a DJ and a kids’ area at Kit Land Nelson Park. Explore the festivities 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 8 at 10 N. Forest Ave. More information: facebook.com
The 8th Annual Crooked Can Oktoberfest features lederhosen, polka music, German-inspired cuisine, family fun and a beer garden. Plus, the brewery is bringing back the “insanely popular” Oktoberfest Wiener Dog Race. Find the festivities 4-11 p.m. Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 15 and noon-6 p.m. Oct. 16 at 426 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden. More information: crookedcan.com
Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe, a staple for German cuisine in Sanford, hosts its annual Oktoberfest with authentic food, beer, music, dance and folk costumes at the Sanford Civic Center. The event is free to attend, but this year attendees can pre-order a “Festband” wristband to pay for beer and brats. Festivities take place 5-10 p.m. Oct. 14, noon-10 p.m. Oct. 15 and 12-6 p.m. Oct. 16 at 401 E. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More information: hollerbachs.com
Celebration Oktoberfest provides a themed “extravaganza” over the course of two days with traditional German music, plus a “Rocktoberfest” featuring Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists. Visitors can also find a hayride, experience leaves falling at Celebration Town Center and browse deals from local vendors. Enjoy the event 5-10 p.m. Oct. 21-22 at 610 Sycamore St. in Celebration. More information: celebrationtowncenter.com
Central Florida Oktoberfest, an annual celebration hosted by the German American Society of Central Florida, draws more than 10,000 guests each season for classic Oompah music, German beer and schnitzel. Attendees can also find a traditional flag parade. Admission is $5 at the gate; kids ages 12 and younger enter for free. Enjoy festivities noon-10 p.m. Oct. 1 and 22 at 381 Orange Lane in Casselberry. More information: orlandogermanclub.com
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