Celebrate Oktoberfest 2022 in Raleigh, NC

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Celebrate Oktoberfest in Raleigh, NC.

Photo by Triangle Oktoberfest

Prost! Can you believe that it’s almost time for Oktoberfest? The folk festival originated in Munich, Germany on Oct. 12, 1810 with a huge horse race to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Louis to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities were repeated the following year and the annual tradition was born.

The early festivals added a state agricultural fair + food and drink booths that evolved into large, plywood beer halls. Over the years, the event has become a ~two-week affair that attracts millions of people to Germany + ends on the first Sunday in October.

Other Oktoberfest celebrations take place all over the world, featuring German beer, food, music, dancing, parades + games. Here are six happening around Raleigh this year.

  • Raleigh Brewing, 3709 Neil St. | Sun., Sept. 11 | 1-6 p.m. | Free | Dust off your lederhosen for a day of live music by the Little German Band, food trucks + pints of Oktoberfest Lager.
  • Gizmo Brew Works, 5907 Triangle Dr. | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-10 p.m. | Free | Enjoy live music, food, and craft beer out of a commemorative half-liter boot glass ($20; first pour is free).
  • Compass Rose Brewery, 3201 Northside Dr. | Fri., Sept. 23 | 3-10 p.m. | Free | Celebrate the season with the release of Wunderfest on tap + fresh pretzels and bratwurst sausages.
  • Lonerider Brewery, 8816 Gulf Ct. | Sat., Sept. 24 | 12-8 p.m. | Free | Sip on award-winning and traditional German beers + don’t miss the Steinholding and Hammerschlagen competitions.
  • Clouds Brewing, 1233 Front St. | Sat., Oct. 29 | 2-9 p.m. | $10+ | This traditional celebration features music performed by the Little German Band, dancers, Cloudstoberfest beer, a keg ceremony, and steinholding contests.
  • Triangle Oktoberfest | Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary | Fri., Sept. 30-Sat., Oct. 1 | $15+ | Times vary | Celebrate German culture + support Meg’s Smile Foundation with live music from the Black Forest Band, weiner dog races, inflatables, hammer striking competitions, and more.
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