Grab a beer and a brat:
Raise a stein at these 10 Oktoberfest events
Every weekend from now until mid-October you can find a place to celebrate Oktoberfest somewhere in the Valley. This weekend, head to Scottsdale and get your Bavarian fix at Brat Haus Oktoberfest or Two Brothers Oktoberfest.
Get your lederhosen pressed and start working out those biceps to prepare for lifting a hearty mug of suds this month in honor of all things Bavarian.
From now until mid-October you can find a place to celebrate Oktoberfest every weekend somewhere in the Valley. Prost!
9/16: Brat Haus Oktoberfest
Dust off your dirndls and lederhosen and head to Brat Haus for Oktoberfest — anyone who shows up in the traditional garb will get in for free. The event features a German-themed menu, games, live music and a special Firkin tapping from San Tan Brewery at 5 p.m. with Mayor Jim Lane. Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Brat Haus, 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $12, 21 and over. brathausaz.com.
9/16: Two Brothers Oktoberfest
Come celebrate the release of Two Brothers’ Oktoberfest lager, Atom Smasher, and their Scottsdale-brewed German Helles lager, along with the start of Oktoberfest in Germany. The event features beer specials, a stein-holding contest, German fare and a dirndl and lederhosen contest.
Details: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Scottsdale Tap House and Brewery, 4321 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480378-3001, twobrothersbrewing.com.
9/16: Litchfield Park Oktoberfest
At The Wigwam Resort, chefs will serve German entrees, a band will perform polka music, and German and domestic beers will be available for purchase in celebration of Oktoberfest. There will also be a play area for children and family activities. Wear German clothing — kids too! — for entry into a contest to win prizes.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. The Wigwam Resort, 300 Wigwam Lane, Litchfield Park. $10 for ages 13 and up, free for ages 12 and under, benefiting the Litchfield Park Recreation Department. Price doesn’t include food and beverages. 623-935-9040, litchfieldpark.org.
9/22-23: Old World Oktoberfest in Peoria
The Old World Oktoberfest in Peoria has a full slate of Germanic-focused activities planned for its 12th annual event. Festivities begin with an official opening ceremony that features the tapping of the Warsteiner keg and music by original German Oktoberfest band Die echten Waldbuam. The event will also feature its first-ever “Rocktoberfest,” which mixes rock music with polka. Other attractions include authentic German garb, foods, competitions, and of course, beer.
Details: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23. Peoria Centennial Park, 9875 N. 85th Ave., Peoria. $5; ages 20 and under free. 480-947-7490, peor iaoktoberfest.com.
9/29-30: Fountain Hills Oktoberfest
If you can’t wait until October to experience Oktoberfest this year, no worries. Head to Fountain Hills on the last two days of September. Enjoy beer, pretzels and cold drinks in the pleasant evening air near the famous fountain.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 29-30. Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-8165185, experiencefountainhills.org.
9/30: SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest
Fans of polka music, German food and craft beer are hereby encouraged to don their festive lederhosen and dirndls to gather in downtown Chandler for SanTan Brewing’s 10th annual Oktoberfest. Headlining the festival are Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Reel Big Fish and other local bands. The event also features beer games, a bratwurst-eating contest and a family zone, which we assume is not where the beer games will be held.
Details: 3-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Dr. AJ Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $10 presale at Basha’s locations; $12 presale online; $15 at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free. Save $2 on admission by donating nonperishable food at the event. 602-2762499, santanoktoberfest.com.
10/7: Tour de Fat
Party on in Tempe with the annual Tour de Fat, offering circus performers, magicians, comedians and so much more. Michael Franti & Spearhead will be the musical guests for the evening, plus attendees can enjoy a collection of New Belgium beers, including Fat Tire, Citradelic and Voodoo Ranger 8 Hop. Admission is free for children 12 and under.
Details: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. $25. www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/tempe.
10/13-15: Four Peaks Oktoberfest
This family-friendly event features music, dancing, local and international food and over 30 varieties of beer. Other highlights of the 45th annual outdoor Bavarian-themed festival include adult and kinderfest carnivals, a soccer tournament, and Dachshund races.
Details: Friday-Sunday, Oct. 13-15. Tempe Town Lake, Tempe. Free admission. fourpeaksoktoberfest.com.
10/13-14, 20-21: Haus Murphy’s Oktoberfest
If you have a hankering to try to play an alpenhorn, you’re in luck. Haus Murphy’s Oktoberfest features an alpenhorn blowing contest, along with plenty of beer, food including brats and pretzels and much more. The band Die Guggenback Buam flies in from Germany to perform for the crowd.
Details: Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 13-14, and 20-21. Times to be announced; check website for updates. Haus Murphy’s, 5739 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. 623-939-2480, hausmurphys.com.
10/21: Oktoberfest for Parkinson’s
Raise pints for a good cause at the 13th annual Oktoberfest for Parkinson’s, which is hosted by the Baehr Challenge. The celebration features plenty of brats, craft ales, fine wines and games. The proceeds will go toward scientific research to find better treatments for Parkinson’s disease and ultimately, a cure.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. 5310 E. High St., Phoenix. $40 at the gate. baehrchallenge.org.