Louisville might be named after the King of France, but we drink like the Germans.
Thanks to the 19th-century German immigrants that settled here — and their beer gardens — there’s no shortage of Oktoberfests this time of year modeled after the original in Munich.
So let’s raise a stein and say, “Prost!” with these six Oktoberfest events in Derby City.
German American Club Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 6-Saturday, Sept. 7
This annual family-friendly event is the biggest of the year for the German American Club, which is dedicated to promoting German culture and sociability. Entry is $10 each day — $5 if you arrive before 6 p.m. — and kids get in free. Pro tip: There’s lots of seating, but pack a lawn chair just in case.
Why you should go:
- Live polka music
- Stick horse racing for the kiddos
- 14 imported German-style beers
- Cafeteria-style German food menu — think: schnitzel, red cabbage, sauerkraut, and Fleischkäse (fried bologna)
- Stein vendors
Norton Commons Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 13
There will be plenty of gemütlichkeit — that’s German for friendliness — on display at this east Louisville neighborhood from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Why you should go:
- Bratwurst and Bavarian-style soft pretzels from Celtic Pig and Alchemy
- Live polka music from The River City Polkatz
Downs After Dark: Oktoberfest | Saturday, Sept. 28
It might feel less Kentucky Derby and more like the Deutches Derby at Churchill Downs for this Saturday night’s races. See horse racing with some German flare under the lights at the track.
Why you should go:
- Live horse racing
- Polka dancing
- Yodeling contest
- Performance from the German-American Club choir
- Biergarten featuring sips from Gravely Brewing Co. and West Sixth Brewing
- Pretzels and bratwurst added to the concessions menu
Oldham Gardens Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6
This three-day celebration takes place at 3rd Turn Brewing’s Crestwood indoor + outdoor space — which offers some scenic spots to raise your stein and snap a pic in your lederhosen for the ‘gram.
Why you should go:
- Live polka + bluegrass music
- Family fun day on Sunday, Oct. 6
Bonus: Did you buy a just too cute Oktoberfest costume for your dog? Bring Fido to Oldham Gardens’ Barktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 11 — may we suggest a dog yodeling contest?
Germantown Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 11, 4-10 p.m.
Germantown is basically obligated to throw an Oktoberfest — and luckily it has all the major components: beer, food, and games. Goss Avenue will close from Spratt to McHenry for the block party, so get there early to find parking.
Why you should go:
- Sam Adams’ stein hoisting contest
- Weiner dog races
- Beer from 9+ breweries, including a special Monnik Beer Co. + Heine Brothers Coffee collaboration
- Flea Off Market vendors
- Free entry
Bonus: Hauck’s Corner will be celebrating its second birthday on Saturday, Sept. 14 + Sunday, Sept. 15, with live music, comedy, street games, a petting zoo, a car show, and more.
Steins on Main | Saturday, Oct. 12
The Louisville Downtown Partnership, Louisville Ale Trail, and Against the Grain Brewery put their steins together to transform the outdoor RePurposed lot at 615 W. Main St. into this second annual Oktoberfest, celebrating Louisville’s rich German heritage, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Why you should go:
- On tap: 12 Louisville breweries
- Live polka music
- Multiple competitions, including: yodeling, best dressed, stein hoisting, and schnitzel toss
- Free entry
3rd Annual Turners’ Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 12
This festival takes place along the Ohio River from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. — you can make believe that it’s the Isar river in Bavaria. Admission is $10 — kids 12 and under are free.
Why you should go:
- Live German-style music
- German food + imported beer
- Local beer from Against the Grain
- Games like Hammerschlagen, musical cheers, and a brat toss
- A “Beer Puppeteer”