It’s time to break out the lederhosen + fill those steins — Oktoberfest events are coming back to San Diego County. We may be thousands of miles from Germany, but we are America’s craft beer capital, and that means we’re getting in on the fun.

Local celebrations roughly follow the same timeline as Munich’s festival — meaning some start this weekend — but you’ve got a few weeks to make your way through our map of events. Prost. 🍻

AleSchmidt Oktoberfest Celebration | Fri., Sept. 16 + Sat., Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. | AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct. | Free | Two days of events, including a polka party, promotional steins, food, a SDSU football watch party + plenty of brews. 🍻
Oktoberfest at The Brewery | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-6 p.m. | Eppig Brewing Bierhalle in Vista | Free | German-inspired brews, fun contests, and Bavarian everything. 🍻
Stein Holding Contest | Sat., Sept. 17, Sat., Sept. 24 + Sat., Oct. 1 | 3-4 p.m. | Hidden Craft SD | Free | It’s stein time, winners get a 32-oz growler to go. 🍺
Pure Brewing Oktoberfest Kickoff | Sat., Sept. 18 | Times vary | All Pure taprooms | Free | The brewer releases its seasonal stein + all locations will have a stein holding contest at 3 p.m. 🍺
North Park Oktoberfest Beer Crawl | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 5-9 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Explore four breweries at your own pace — all offering specials — and get your card punched to win a prize. 💳
Craftoberfest | Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Oct. 3 | 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. | Liberty Public Market | Free | San Diego’s only 10-day festival, offering food, live music, games + a tap takeover. 🎶
Oktoberfest on the Harbor | Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Sept. 25 | 12 p.m. | Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten in Point Loma | Free | Bust out your finest Bavarian attire for this party featuring German-inspired craft brews, a pretzel-eating contest + steins. 🍻
East Village Oktoberfest | Sat., Sept. 24 | 2-8 p.m. | Quartyard | $15+ | 20 beers on tap, German music + Munich-style foods. 🇩🇪
Encinitas Oktoberfest | Sun., Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mountain Vista Drive, between Wandering + Rambling roads | Free | The 26th annual fest features local artisans, a biergarten, live music, dancing, carnival rides + an international food court. 🍻
Oktoberfest at The Crossings | Fri., Sept. 30 | 4-8 p.m. | The Crossings at Carlsbad | $35+ | Beer tastings, costume contests, games, brats + live music. 🌭
El Cajon Oktoberfest 2022 | Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 2 + Fri., Oct. 7-Sun., Oct. 9 | Times vary | 1017 S. Mollison Ave. | Free | Opening day includes a parade, keg tap, and the crowning of the Oktoberfest Queen; the fun continues through two weekends. 🥨

La Mesa preparing for its annual celebration.
| Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

La Mesa Oktoberfest | Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 2 | Times vary | La Mesa Village | Free | Games, dancing, eats, vendors + most importantly, German beer. 🇩🇪
Julian Oktoberfest | Sat., Oct. 1 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Julian Town Square + Town Hall | Free | A beer garden, sip + paint programs, bingo hours, food, and fun for all ages. 🎨
Oktoberfest at the Welk | Sat., Oct. 1 + Sun., Oct. 2 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr. | Free | Family-friendly fun with food, music, rides for kids, and plenty of craft beer. 🎡
Carlsbad Oktoberfest | Sat., Oct. 1 | 12-8 p.m. | Carlsbad Strawberry Company | $5+ | Get all the fall vibes at this family-friendly festival, including beer, music, a pumpkin patch + a corn maze 🎃
Oktoberfest at One Paseo | Sat., Oct. 1 | 2-6 p.m. | The Lawn at One Paseo | $30+ | German fare, live music, games, a costume contest + curated tastes of brews, wine, and spirits. Prost. 🥨
Surftoberfest | Sat., Oct. 1 | 5:30-10:30 p.m. | Oceanside Moose Lodge | $10+ | Local beer, local bands + German foods — proceeds benefit the Women’s Resource Center. 🏄‍♂️
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest | Fri., Oct. 7 + Sat., Oct. 8 | Times vary | Newport Avenue by the beach | Free | Beer gardens, live music + a brat eating contest. 🏝️
Ramona Motorcycle Rally 2022 | Fri., Oct. 14-Sun., Oct. 16 | Times vary | Ramona Outdoor Community Center | $15+ | Enjoy Oktoberfest beers and food trucks during band nights on Friday + Saturday. 🏍️
Oktoberfest by Junior League of San Diego | Sat., Oct. 15 | 2-6 p.m. | Tin Roof | $25 | Beer, food, music + costumes — proceeds help JLSD fight food insecurities. 🍺
Weihenstephaner Beer Dinner | Wed., Oct. 19 | 5 p.m. | JRDN Restaurant | $130 | A four-course Oktoberfest fest paired with beer to match. 🥙