Louisville might be named after the King of France, but we love a good German beer.
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. 5-Saturday, Sept. 6
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, but anyone under 21 gets in free. Pro tip: There’s lots of seating, but pack a lawn chair just in case.
Norton Commons Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 5
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.
Gardens Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 28
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.
Bonus: Did you buy a just too cute Oktoberfest costume for your dog? Bring Fido to Oldham Gardens’ Barktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 10 — may we suggest a dog yodeling contest?
Steins on Main | Saturday, Oct. 12
The Louisville Downtown Partnership and Against the Grain Brewery put their steins together to transform the outdoor RePurposed lot at 615 W. Main St. into this third annual Oktoberfest, celebrating Louisville’s rich German heritage, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.