Repeat after me: Oktoberfest happens (mostly) in September, not October.
Now that we have that cleared up, you only have a few days to plan before you’re left marzen-less. So with that in mind, find a stein, squeeze into your lederhosen, and plan away for these Portland-area Oktoberfests:
Mount Angel
You might consider this the Munich equivalent of Oregon’s Oktoberfests. Held every year at Mount Angel, this year the 54th version features traditional beer garden, lots of food, music, a car show, a pedal tractor race and athletic events over the three days.
Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 12-15, doors open at 10 a.m.; 5 N. Garfield, Mount Angel; most events are free and open to all ages. Three premium venues (Biergarten, Alpinegarten and Weingarten) require a ticket/wristband purchase, persons younger than 21 can enter these locations at no cost when accompanied by an adult. $5-$15 for day and evening passes, $30 for the whole festival; oktoberfest.org
Oaks Park
This festival combines the fun of Oaks Amusement Park, Oktoberfest and wiener dog races. Not sure how to beat that.
4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20-22; 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way, Portland; gate admission $3 ages 15 and younger, $6 adults; $4 for ages 62 and older; free for those 55 and older from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. Features main and family fest halls, the midway and a roller rink, as well as food and drink, activities for all, live entertainment and wiener dog races. Visit the website for details.
Widmer Brothers
Widmer may have shut down its taproom, but it’s bringing its Oktoberfest home after being at Pioneer Courthouse Square for the past three years. Its 15th annual festival – Portland’s oldest – will be at the brewery this year.
1-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28; 929 N. Russell St. Features live music, family entertainment, local food vendors and Widmer beers, including its Oktoberfest Ale. First 600 guests get a half-liter plastic Oktoberfest stein, with glass steins available for $2. Steins from previous years are accepted; free entry, all ages, no pets. Visit the Facebook page for details.
McMenamins
The ubiquitous McMenamins is hosting Oktoberfest celebrations at four of its properties, featuring a variety of beer, live music, brats and burgers, and great outfits. All ages are welcome. See the website for details.
- Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave., Portland, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21
- Old St. Francis, 700 N.W. Bond St., Bend, 1-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21
- Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale, all day Sunday, Sept. 29
- Grand Lodge, 3505 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove, all day Saturday, Oct. 5
Zoiglhaus
Zoiglhaus in Southeast Portland’s Lents neighborhood will host an authentic German festival inside the pub and outside with a street party on Ramona Street.
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 13-14; 5716 S.E. 92nd Ave. Kicks off Friday night with keg tapping ceremony featuring German songs and beer samples. Live music, brat-eating contest, lederhosen fashion show are among activities. German food offered all weekend. Outside will be live music, a marketplace, beer garden, games and brewery tours. Family friends, accessible from MAX Green line. Check the website for hours and details.
Stammtisch and Prost
The sister German restaurant and beer bar will each host parties as authentic as they come.
First up is Stammtisch’s street party, Sept. 20-22:
3-10 p.m. Friday; 401 N.E. 28th Ave.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20-22; the restaurant will take over the street outside for a massive biergarten with traditional music, a German cookout, glassware for sale, games, face painting, and plenty of Oktoberfest beer. Food includes roast chicken, roast pork, currywurst, bratwurst sandwiches, döner kebabs, cabbage salad and giant pretzels. Free and kid-friendly all day. See the Facebook page for details.
Then comes Prost, Sept. 27-29
6-9 p.m. Friday; 4237 N. Mississippi Ave.; 2-4 p.m., 5-7 p.m. Saturday; 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27-29; Festival Brass provides authentic German festival music along with other activities. See the Facebook page for details.
Away Days Brewing
Portland’s newest brewery is pouring its beers for its Oktoberfest party. And it’s doing so with some good company, as Wayfinder, Baerlic and West Coast Grocery breweries will all provide kegs of their beers for the event as well.
Noon-10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5; 1516 S.E. 10th Ave.; Away Days will pour four of its German-inspired beers, Klassiker Helles, Festbier, Altbier and Post-Match Pilsnerl; serving bratwurst, house-made kraut and pretzels, and a free pint to anyone in lederhose or dirndl. Tickets available at the brewery or online. See event page for details.
Occidental Brewing
The German-style brewery in the shadow of the St. Johns Bridge holds a two-day festival featuring its German-style beers and noshes from Urban German Grill.
3-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. 6635 N. Baltimore Ave. The family-friendly event is free, but to drink beer you need a stein from previous Occidental Oktoberfests or purchase one at the gate for $10. Festbier and other styles on tap, and bratwurst and music for the two days. New features include a stein-holding competition and outside beer garden. Check the events page for more details.
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