Get ready to celebrate Oktoberfest, San Diego style! In October, everyone is German. Here are a few ways to get your brat on, and, perhaps a little polka too!
La Mesa Oktoberfest: A tradition for La Mesa Village is the annual Oktoberfest. This activity brings visitors and vendors from all over the region to La Mesa for a weekend dedicated to family, friends, great food and entertainment. The La Mesa Village Merchants Association began this popular event 42 years ago. This event has gone from a small street fair to a 2-day festival with over 100 vendors offering goods and services to over 100,000 attendees. Add great food, entertainment and of course, good old German brats and cold beer, and you have an event that has something for everyone! October 2-3, noon – 10 p.m. Free.
Oktoberfest in El Cajon: Come and enjoy authentic German food, hosted by the German American Societies in El Cajon, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage and a variety of German pastries. We offer a great selection of German beers and liquors, and soft drinks and water, to enjoy with your friends and family! The band, the Guggenbach-Buam, joins in from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. These talented, fine musicians dress in traditional clothing, and play a variety of German music, just as you would hear in the beer gardens in Bavaria. Play a song from the Guggenbach-Buam band using the controller on the right. Enjoy songs from the chicken dance, to polkas and waltzes, dance or sing along to some wonderful Oom-pah tunes. Enjoy traditional folk dancing performances, compete in our numerous games and contests, check out vendor and craft booths, and treat your kids to their own Kids’ Zone. Bring your family and friends to El Cajon and experience a real German Oktoberfest. October 2-4 and 9-11, various times. $5; under 21 and active military, free.
Carlsbad Oktoberfest: Be a part of this Carlsbad premier Oktoberfest tradition with several hundred of your closest friends, family and neighbors for a day of great food, awesome music, and festive fun. DJ Efraim Nunez will kick off the day’s entertainment by spinning your favorite tunes followed by live bands starting with local favorites Faith Page, Bluebirds, and ending with The Last Call. Fill your day with the famed Chicken dance performances, a delicious German meal, pretzels, and ice cold beers. There will also be entertainment and fun activities for kids of all ages, including a pumpkin patch where children can decorate pumpkins, jumpy houses, and a few fun surprises. Children will enjoy the Oktoberfest pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating contest, inflatable jumpers, face painting, antique fire truck, and much, much more. October 3, noon – 10 p.m. Advance tickets, $12; day of tickets, $15; children are free.
Oktoberfest on Coronado: Experience a Bavarian-style beer garden on the Sun Deck of Hotel del Coronado from September 25 – October 4 with bratwurst and sauerkraut, Munich-style pretzels, schnitzel and more, plus select specialty beers from breweries like Paulaner and Karl Strauss. Also enjoy daily ceremonial firkin (keg) tapping and live musical performances. Admission is free; food and drink purchased a la carte. Through October 4. 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.