Oktoberfest

Description

The age-old German tradition of Oktoberfest is back in Historic Cedarburg! Bursting with gemuetlichkeit, the 16th annual Oktoberfest takes place on Saturday, October 5th, 10 am - 8 pm, and Sunday, October 6th, 10 am - 5 pm. 

A huge tent is erected in the Community Center Parking Lot to cover the ongoing entertainment of bands and dancers, the dance floor and tables, lending a true traditional Oktoberfest feel. Among the featured performances, the Pommersche Tanzdeel Dancers, the D'Lustig'n Wendlstoana Dancers, River City Blaskepelle, Schnapps und Tanz Band, the Milwaukee Liederkranz Chorus, 2/5ths Party Band and the Cedarburg Civic Band are scheduled to appear.

Be sure to look for Foxtown Brewing’s bier garten on the City Hall lawn serving Oktoberfest, Munich Dunkel, Breakwater Light Lager and Hefe Weiss. Also head over to the City Hall Lawn to visit Foxtown Brewing’s Bier Garten and listen to live music from Bridge Road while you sample some of their delicious Oktoberfest Beer.

And, if you’ve never seen a live Glockenspiel Show (Cuckoo Clock), this amusing, goofy event will make you laugh as it reappears every two hours.

Silly contests with prize awards include Oktoberfest Trivia and Spelling Bee, Best Lederhosen/Dirndl with adult and youth categories, and the ever-popular Beer Stein Holding (Masskrugstemmen). NEW THIS YEAR to the contests are: Best Braids (adult and youth), Best Mustache, Best Yodeling, Best Stein, Most Collectible Pins, and for the super hungry, the Pretzel Eating Contest.

There will also be the opportunity to try your hand at Hammerschlaagen, where participants compete against each other to drive nails into a wooden beam. On Saturday the Milwaukee Chapter of the Porsche Club of America will have their cars showcased from 1pm-5pm.

Shop the expanded marketplace throughout the parking lot and on City Hall lawn from 10am-5pm daily.

Don’t miss your opportunity to buy and fill collectable German steins to benefit Festivals of Cedarburg. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own steins – special refill pricing applies. Guests will be able to choose from specialty beers such as Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Hofbräu, Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest, Paulaner Pilsner and Miller Lite. Specialty craft beer includes Oktoberfest, Harvest Apple Ale, Juice Packets Juicy IPA, Fireman’s Park Red Ale, Safe Passage American Porter, and Crispy and the Bois American Lager from The Fermentorium. Festers will also be able to choose from a variety of award-winning wines from Cedar Creek Winery and Blind Horse Winery.

For das Jungenliche (youngsters) Cedarburg High School students will be providing arts and crafts activities, plus lemonade and hot apple cider to fundraise for the GAPP (German American Partnership Program) exchange trip to Germany in the summer of 2025.

Authentic German dinners with classics like Sauerbraten, Wiener Schnitzel, German Sausage Platter and other delights will be served up by Milwaukee Glockenspiel Group. The Cedarburg Lions will offer bratwurst, currywurst, burgers, hotdogs and turkey legs; Ben’s Pretzels food truck will be on site with warm, chewy pretzels; and Delicately Delicious bakery will have authentic German sweet treats for purchase.

Stroll along Washington Avenue absorbing the charm and historic ambiance of thriving downtown Cedarburg, chock-full of unique retail shops and restaurants. Founded in the 1840s, Cedarburg was declared a National Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city is home to more than 100 restored and intact buildings of historic significance.

***Please note, pets are not allowed on the festival grounds and festival attendees are asked to support our Oktoberfest by not bringing carry-ins. Alcoholic beverages must be consumed on the festival site. Rain or shine. Shelter is provided