Sep. 6-Cold beer will be calling your name in German on Sept. 10 as Oktoberfest arrives in Southern California.
That's when one of the earliest and longest festivals kicks off in Big Bear Lake.
Oktoberfest dried up in 2020 during the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Many celebrations came back in 2021, but this year people are really ready to go out and dance in dirndls and lederhosen, according to Cyndie Kasko of Old World Village in Huntington Beach.
"Last year was just a little teaser," she said in a phone interview. "I think this year is going to be even bigger and better than it was last year."
Old World Biergarten is getting a jump on Oktoberfest with Rocktoberfest, running Sept. 2-17. It will feature tribute rock bands until Sept. 18, when Oktoberfest kicks off featuring German entertainer Mark Tom Schneider, aka Marko.
Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, considered the world's largest, is resuming Sept. 17 after a two year hiatus.
"I have a shop that sells dirndls and lederhosen, and I'm telling you everybody is going to Germany," said Kasko. "Every customer that buys from me is going to Oktoberfest."
Kasko's father Josef Bischof founded Old World Village in 1978 and also created Alpine Village in Torrance in the 1960s as a way of bringing a bit of Germany to Southern California.
While American Oktoberfests have taken on their own traditions, including the chicken dance, Kasko said they have gotten more Germanic over the years.
"Put it this way, if you had come to Oktoberfest in 2010, probably the only people who would have been in costume were my employees," she said.
"It's so great to see so many different walks of life, different nationalities, different cultures. Everybody wants a dirndl."
Steve Hauser, president and chief executive officer of Paulaner USA, affirmed that the excitement of Munich Oktoberfest is spilling over into the United States.
"It's the biggest party in the world, right? We're all missing something by not having it the last couple of years. I think there's a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm. People, dare I say it, can't wait," he said in a phone interview.
"A little bit of return to normal, if you will."
Based in New York, Paulaner USA imports beer from Munich, where is it one of only six breweries at that city's Oktoberfest.
In Southern California, Paulaner's Oktoberfest brews will be at celebrations in Long Beach, Old World Village in Huntington Beach, and Santa Anita Race Track.
Paulaner beers are also available in supermarkets and retail chains such as BevMo!
The brand has two Oktoberfest products: Oktoberfest Märzen, available year-round, and Oktoberfest Bier, which is seasonal. Hacker-Pschorr, which Paulaner USA also distributes, brews a slightly different Oktoberfest Märzen.
Paulaner USA places its orders for U.S. Oktoberfest in March. The beers ship from Europe in June and usually arrive in June, Hauser said. They got here a little late this year, but he said that customers have a good supply, despite high demand.
Standard features at Southern California Oktoberfests include a wide selection of beers, including German imports, German foods such as bratwurst and pretzels, live music by oompah bands and games.
Some celebrations are family-friendly while others are adults only. Most charge admission on top of food and drink purchases. Some have advance purchase discounts. Some offer VIP experiences that include food and reserved seating. Be sure and check the events' websites for such details before you go.
Events are listed in chronological order.
Multi-weekend events
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Where: Convention Center of Big Bear Lake, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake
Dates: Sept. 10-Nov. 5
Hours: 1-11 p.m. Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays; 4-11 p.m. Fridays in October
Details: The festival will mark its 52nd year in the San Bernardino Mountains. It boasts two full-service bars indoors and four outdoor beer gardens with the usual blend of German beer, food, music and dancing, plus U.S. rock and country cover bands, chicken dances and competitions such as log sawing.
This is a family-friendly event with a play area and kids games.
The festival has booked its first band from Germany since 2019. Frankenrebellen Express comes from a region in Bavaria called Franconia and will perform the first two weekends in October.
Imported beers will include Spaten, Franziskaner, Warsteiner and Konig Ludwig
U.S. military and first responders will be honored with free general admission tickets Sept. 10-11, Sept. 17-18 and Nov. 5.
Admission: General admission is $15-$32 for adults, depending on the weekend. Upgrades run $55-$125. Some days have reserved time slots for entry. General admission for seniors is $12-$16 and $5-10 for children.
Information: 909-585-3000, bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest
Phoenix Club in Anaheim
Dates: Sept. 16-Oct. 23
Hours: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 5 p.m.-midnight Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim
Details: The Phoenix Club will spend one more Oktoberfest in its longtime home. The property is slated to be redeveloped for a mixed-use community around Honda Center called OCVibe. The club previously announced that 2021 would be the final celebration before vacating and finding a new home. Now its website says it will be moving in 2023.
Entertainment will include live bands such as Die Gemütlichen Schuhplattler, and a DJ. This is an indoor-outdoor event, with much of the action in the facility's 8,000 square-foot ballroom. It will not be setting up a 11,000 square-foot tent as in years past.
The menu includes pork and chicken schnitzel, pork shank, bratwurst, sauerkraut and German potato salad.
Fridays and Saturdays are adults only. Sundays are family day with the club's youth dance group providing entertainment.
Onsite parking requires a voucher, which is available with a ticket purchase.
Admission: $20; $5 for children 3-12 on Sundays
Information: 714-563-4166, thephoenixclub.com
Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest
Dates: Sept. 17-Oct. 29
Hours: Noon-7 p.m. Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays
Where: Lake Arrowhead Village, State Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead
Details: The festival takes place Saturdays and Sundays outdoors at Lake Arrowhead Village, a lakeside shopping center with an Alpine theme.
Entertainment includes German bands, dancing and children's games. The event is sponsored by Spaten.
Drinking beer or wine requires purchase of a $20 starter package that includes an Oktoberfest mug and first drink.
Admission: Free, but reservations for tables that seat four people are $50 on Saturday and $25 on Sunday. Picnic tables that seat eight are $100 on Saturday and $50 on Sunday.
Information: lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com
Old World Village Oktoberfest
Dates: Sept. 18-Nov. 6
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1-7 p.m. Sundays
Where: Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach
Details: This is an indoor-outdoor event with live music, bratwurst and imported German beers. Fridays and Saturdays are adults only. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays are all ages with parent accompaniment for guests under 20.
Related events include an Oktoberfest parade, 2 p.m. Sept. 25, and wiener dog races, noon on Sept. 18 and Oct. 9, according to the Old World Village calendar.
Oktoberfest will be proceeded by Rocktoberfest, a series of adults-only concerts on Fridays and Saturday, Sept. 2-17.
Admission: $10-$20 online; $15-$25 at the door
Information: 714-895-8020, oldworldhb.com
Long Beach Oktoberfest
Dates: Sept. 23-Oct. 9
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Fridays; noon-10 p.m. Saturdays; noon-7 p.m. Sundays
Where: 855 Elm Ave., Long Beach
Details: This is the second year for this event, which promises traditional and modern music as well as wacky games.
Beers include Paulaner Golden Oktoberfest.
Friday nights are adults only. All ages are welcome Saturday, and Sunday is designated Family Day, according to the event website.
Admission: $20; children 14 and younger free.
Information: longbeachoktoberfest.com
Oktoberfest 2022 by Wurstküche
Dates: Oct. 1-23
Hours: Noon-4 p.m. and 4:30-8 p.m. Saturdays; 2-6 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $45 plus fees, includes a liter mug of brew and seating.
Where: 625 Lincoln Blvd. Los Angeles
Details: Live music at Venice restaurant specializing in sausages. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress in lederhosen and dirndls.
Information: wurstkuche.com
Fairplex Presents Oktoberfest
Dates: Oct. 7-22
Hours: 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Details: This is the first time the home of the Los Angeles County Fair has held Oktoberfest since 2019. Before COVID-19, it was an annual event.
Libations will include German beers such as Spaten Marzen Oktoberfest and Franziskaner Heffe-Weisse; as well as "Oktoberitas" and hard cider. Food will include King Taco as well as brats and pretzels.
Entertainment will include traditional German bands; bands such as No Duh (a No Doubt tribute band) and DJs spinning vinyl.
This festival is not a family event. It is for people 21 years and older. Hours will be 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with last call at 10:30 p.m.
Admission: $10-$15 Fridays; $12-$20 Saturdays. Parking is $15 online, $20 at the gate. Credit and debit cards only.
Information: fairplex.com/events/oktoberfest
Santa Anita Oktoberfest Trackside
Dates: Oct 16-17, Oct. 22-23
Hours: To be announced
Details: This event at Santa Anita Race Track combines beer and Bavarian festivities with horse-racing. Prices and ticket information were not available at press time.
Information: santaanita.com/events
Single day or weekend events
Golden Road Anaheim Pub
Date: Sept. 10
Hours: 4-8 p.m.
Where: 2210 E Orangewood Ave, Anaheim
Admission: Free.
Details: Live music and $12, limited edition mugs for its Oktoberfest brew.
Information: goldenroad.la/events/oktoberfest-anaheim
King Ludwig's Oktoberfest
Dates: Sept. 16-18
Hours: 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Noble Creek Park, 650 W. Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont
Details: Festivities include a biergarten, food vendors, live entertainment and a kids zone.
Admission: Free, but $5 parking fee.
Information: bcvparks.com/oktoberfest
Common Space Brewery
Date: Sept. 17
Hours: 2-8 p.m.
Details: Beer, food and games. Dog- and family-friendly.
Where: 3411 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne
Admission: Free.
Information: commonspace.la
San Fernando Valley Oktoberfest Party
Dates: Sept. 17-18
Hours: Noon-11:30 p.m.
Where: 200925 Osborne St., Canoga Park
Details: Canoga park Elks Lodge benefit for local charities. Highlights include live music and wiener dog races.
Admission: $10-$25.
Information: elks.org
Evans Brewing Co.
Date: Sept. 24
Hours: 3-11 p.m.
Where: 2440 Railroad St., Corona
Details: Steinholding competition with the chance to win prizes and advance to the U.S. Steinholding Association's state championship in Sacramento.
Admission: $30, registration at eventbrite.com
Information: evansbrewingco.com
Vegtoberfest LA
Date: Sept. 24
Hours: Noon-5 p.m.
Details: Food and merchandise vendors.
Where: Common Space Brewery & Tasting Room, 3411 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne
Admission: Free. Register at eventbrite.com
Information: vegtoberfestla.com
Divine Science Brewing
Date: Oct. 1
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 15481 Red Hill Ave., Suite C, Tustin
Details: This event is billed as a day of beer, brats and music, plus competition for a trophy that will be displayed at the brewery. There will be five games for teams of four.
Admission: $250, registration at eventbrite.com.
Information: divinesciencebrewing.com
Montrose Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 1
Hours: Noon-10 p.m.
Where: 2200-2400 blocks, Honolulu Ave., Montrose
Details: Festivities include oompah and cover bands, games, rides and family fun. Payment is by ticketing system. Tickets are sold in sheets of 10 for $25 or $3 individually. One beer will cost five tickets.
Admission: Free.
Information: oktoberfest.montrosechamber.org
Mt. Lowe Brewing Co.
Date: Oct. 1
Hours: 1-11 p.m.
Details: Beer mug special, Bavarian food, photo booth, costume contest.
Where: 150 E. Saint Joseph St., Arcadia
Admission: Free, register at eventbrite.com
Information: mtlowebrewing.com
Redlands Oktoberfest
Dates: Oct. 1-2
Hours: Noon-7 p.m. both days.
Where: Sylvan Park, 601 University St., Redlands
Details: This is a family-friendly event with live music by German brass bands until 4:30 p.m. Headliners are Arena Red Band, 5 p.m. Saturday, and Sweet Mischief, 5 p.m. Sunday.
Beer vendors include local craft breweries such as Hangar 24, Ritual Brewing Co. and Escape Craft Brewery, according to the event's Facebook page.
Admission: $10.
Information: redlandsoktoberfest.com
Simi Valley Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 8
Hours: Opens at noon.
Where: 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley
Details: Rotary Club fundraiser benefitting local charities and international causes. Live music, German food and costumes. Beer is included in admission.
Admission: $40, $100 for VIP.
Information: simioktoberfest.com
Long Beach Beer Lab
Date: Oct. 23
Hours: Noon-7 p.m.
Where: 518 W. Willow St., Long Beach
Details: Live music, new beers, food. Festivities begin with a wiener dog race at 12:30 p.m.
Admission: Free, register at eventbrite.com
Information: lbbeer.com
Craftoberfest Los Angeles
Date: Nov. 5
Hours: 12:30- 5 p.m.
Where: Greens at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena
Details: Live music, food vendors and beverages from more than 20 Southern California craft breweries. This is an all-ages event.
Admisson: Tickets will go on sale Sept. 7, according to the event website. Prices were not available at press time.
Information: craftoberfestlosangeles.com
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