When and Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest 2024 in San Antonio

By Sara Branstetter | August 15, 2024

In the Alamo City, we know how to party. The Rodeo in February. Fiesta in April. And Muertos Fest in October. But that isn't it - you may be surprised to learn that Oktoberfest in San Antonio, usually celebrated from the end of August through October, is a BIG DEAL.

While San Antonio is most notably known for its strong Mexican heritage, SA and many of the outlying communities also have a lesser-known German heritage that dates back to the 1840s. It was during this time that German immigrants made their way to the Alamo city in search of jobs and opportunities in agriculture, as well as political freedom from the upheaval in their home nation.

Many put down roots in and around San Antonio and because of this, their influence can still be seen today in street names, restaurants, and the annual celebrations of Oktoberfest.

To help you get your polka on while putting away frothy liters of ale, I have compiled a list of the places that you can celebrate the über-popular Oktoberfest in San Antonio. Prost!

When Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in San Antonio

ABOUT US

We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

When and Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in San Antonio

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Photo Credit: Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Six Flag’s 2024 annual celebration of Oktoberfest will be held in the park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 7 to October 27.

Oktoberfest guests can enjoy craft and seasonal beers, along with a German-inspired menu of all the standards (bratwursts, kiolbassa sausages, sauerkraut, and potato pancakes) found at food tents throughout the park. See the website for the location of the food and drink booths.

Please note, you can eat your way through the festival from park opening until 1 hour before park closing. As an added bonus - Oktoberfest will run concurrently with another popular Six Flags Fiesta Texas event, Fright Fest.

WEBSITE | 17000 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257

Wurstfest in New Braunfels

Photo Credit: Facebook Wurstfest

Wurstfest, while not completely an Oktoberfest celebration, is an all-out festival celebrating the historic German heritage of New Braunfels, TX. And just like any good Oktoberfest celebration, is all about the food and drink.

Wurstfest 2024 takes place over 10 days from November 1 to 10 with hours varying by day. Your ticket price will cover admission to the festival grounds and access to all the entertainment and public spaces. Food and drink booths will cost extra, but you can purchase a drink ticket online on Wurstfest’s website.

While most Oktoberfest celebrations tend to be adults-only, Wurstfest is extremely family friendly and includes carnival rides and games, as well as live music and dancing (come prepared for more chicken dancing than you will have ever seen in your whole life).

And given the lovely weather in New Braunfels in November, Wurstfest is a great place to spend a family evening with food and fun.

WEBSITE | 120 Landa St., New Braunfels, TX 78130

San Antonio Oktoberfest Bar Crawl

On September 28, 2024, from 4pm-11pm, you can celebrate Oktoberfest in San Antonio by joining a pub crawl that will take you all over the downtown bar scene where you can celebrate the season with a rowdy crowd of thirsty friends.

Single tickets can be purchased for $14.99 and include entry to a number of venues offering an authentic Oktoberfest experience. Drink specials and food discounts will also be offered.

WEBSITE | 123 Losoya St, Ste. 19, San Antonio, TX 78205

Oktoberfest 2024 at Künstler Brewing

You can celebrate Oktoberfest at local favorite Künstler Brewing by attending their lovingly dubbed event, "National Drink Beer Day."

This event will be held for one day only from 11am to 11pm and will include lots of beer, food, and Bavarian culture.

Past celebrations have included special food and drink menus with a huge Oktoberfest platter of savory German snacks like pretzels, bratwursts, and potato salad, feeding up to 4 people.

Details have yet to be released, but will be available on Künstler’s website or on their Instagram page.

WEBSITE | 302 E Lachapelle, San Antonio, TX 78204

San Antonio Beer Festival

Photo Credit: Facebook San Antonio Beer Festival

The 18th annual San Antonio Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 in Crockett Park and will feature more than 300 different craft ales, lagers, pilsners, stouts, and porters.

In addition to ALL THE BREWS, there will be games and food trucks, as well as wines and ciders available for the non-beer drinkers.

Early bird tickets are on sale now and begin at $40 with a portion of the ticket sales going to support the San Antonio Food Bank. All tickets include 12 two-ounce samples of beer from the more than 300 options and the ability to purchase 12 more for only $5.

Given the free-flowing booze here, the SA Beer Festival is only for those 21 and up.

WEBSITE | 1300 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212

Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, TX

Photo Credit: Facebook Oktoberfest Fredericksburg

Head to Fredericksburg, TX, just an hour and half northwest of San Antonio in the gorgeous Texas hill country, for three days of music, dancing, food, and beverage. Even on non-Oktoberfest days, Fredericksburg feels distinctly German so you can imagine that they pull out all the stops for this festival.

The Fredericksburg Oktoberfest will be held from October 4-6, 2024. Tickets range in price from $15-$25, depending on how many days you want to go.

Protip: This festival is huge - covering an entire city square in the middle of Fredericksburg. I recommend taking advantage of the Park and Ride service from the Gillespie County Fair Grounds to make your visit as hassle free as possible.

WEBSITE | Marktplatz, 126 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Barktoberfest 2024 in Boerne, TX

Photo Credit: Facebook Hill Country Animal League

Boerne’s 4th annual Barktoberfest 2024, is scheduled for Saturday, October 19 in the main plaza in downtown Boerne. This family-friendly event combines all things Oktoberfest with all things pets.

On the beer side, guests can sample from local beer vendors, listen to live music, check out the food trucks, and participate in the raffle. On the pets side, guests can expect a petting zoo, doggy dash races, and pet adoptions.

This free event is sponsored by the Hill Country Animal League, a nonprofit organization offering affordable spay, neuter, and wellness services in the hill country area.

WEBSITE | 100 N. Main St., Boerne, TX 78006

Parktoberfest in Brackenridge Park

Photo Credit: Brackenridge Park

Brackenridge Park’s annual Parktoberfest is scheduled for Sunday, September 29 from 4-7pm. This event celebrates Oktoberfest in San Antonio by honoring the memory of Emma Koehler (namesake of the Hotel Emma and member of the Pearl Brewing family) who previously donated 11 acres to Brackenridge park where beer could be legally consumed on the premises.

This pop-up biergarten along the San Antonio river will include live music and free (yes free!) beer tastings at the Koehler Pavilion and Cypress Pavilion. Admission is also free, and the event is open to the public.

WEBSITE | 3700 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78209

Beethoven Mäennechor

Photo Credit: Facebook Beethoven Mäennechor

Established in 1867, Beethoven Mäennechor is one of the oldest German singing societies in Texas. And they don't just celebrate Oktoberfest in the fall, it is a YEAR-ROUND event!

But if you prefer the tradition of an Oktoberfest in October, they do that too. Every year, Beethoven Mäennechor hosts a traditional Oktoberfest celebration in their beer garden and music hall that includes German beers on tap, delicious German food, and LOTS of time-honored German music.

Dates for this year's festival have not yet been announced, so watch their website. In the meantime, check out Gartenfest - which is basically just Oktoberfest in August.

WEBSITE | 422 Pereida St, San Antonio, TX 78210

149th Oktoberfest 2024 in Spring Branch, TX

The 149th(!!!) annual Oktoberfest in Spring Branch will be held on Sunday, October 20 from 11am to 6pm. This super long-running event will take place at the Anhalt dance hall and will include music, food, and kids activities.

General admission starts at $10 per person, or $20 for admission and a meal.

WEBSITE | 2390 Anhalt Rd., Spring Branch, TX 78070

Hit Up a Brewery with Some Friends

You can't do much better than grabbing some good friends and making your way to one of San Antonio's fantastic breweries (you can check out my favorites here). Many of the breweries will host their own Oktoberfest celebrations and those can be found on their individual Instagram pages. But in the end, you can turn any evening into a great Oktoberfest celebration - just add beer and friends.

Oktoberfest in La Villita

From September 22-24, La Villita will transform for three days of hoppy/yeasty merriment. Authentic German beers and the cuisines of Germany, Poland, and Czechia will be front and center.

Head over to the Maverick plaza for some homemade pretzels, cured meats, and tasty pierogies.

Local chefs from SA restaurants Cured, Southerleigh, Mon Chou Chou and more will be on hand preparing some of their tastiest Alsatian morsels for hungry festival goers.

WEBSITE | Located at the Corner of Alamo St. and Nueva St.