Oktoberfest was born in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese. Locals were invited to celebrate with horse races, feasts, and, of course, beer. The party was such a hit, Munich decided to do it again the next year. And the next. And the next. Over two centuries later, it’s the world’s largest folk festival, attracting millions each fall with steins, sausages, parades and polka.
German immigrants carried their love of Oktoberfest to the U.S., where it blended beer, music and community pride. The first U.S. Oktoberfest popped up in Cincinnati in 1976, a city long known for its strong German roots.
By the 1990s, Michigan had joined the fun—with Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest becoming the first in the country officially blessed by Munich’s Lord Mayor in 1996. Prost to that!
From Frankenmuth, Oktoberfest spread across the state. Breweries, German cultural clubs, and entire towns embraced the chance to blend Bavarian tradition with Midwestern charm. The results? Dog races, keg tappings, stein-holding contests and plenty of bratwursts sizzling on the grill.
Closer to home, the taps started flowing in 1995 when Arbor Brewing Company launched its Munich-inspired party after the owners visited the real deal on their honeymoon. By 2005, Saline Main Street had joined in.
RELATED: A Guide to Kerrytown: Where to Eat, Sip, Shop and Play
2025 Oktoberfest events
Arbor Brewing Company 30th Anniversary Oktoberfest Tailgate (September 6)
This is where it all started in Washtenaw County. Music starts at 3pm and the UofM vs. Oklahoma game will be on a 15 foot outdoor jumbo screen at 7:30pm for your viewing pleasure. And, of course there will be featured beer and food specials.
Session Room, 3685 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor
HOMES New Munich Day (September 19)
A festive kickoff at HOMES Campus with the debut of their “New Munich” beer, specialty brews, Bavarian eats, collectible steins and playful contests like stein-holding, no-hands pretzel eating and a German spelling bee.
HOMES Campus, Ann Arbor
20th Annual Saline Main Street Oktoberfest (September 19–20)
In its 20th year, this traditional Bavarian street festival is complete with the Golden Keg tapping, Lederhosen & Dirndl contests, Wiener Dog Races, Kinderplatz for kids, Hammerspiel, live music, German food and plenty of beer.
109 W Michigan Ave, Saline
Zingerman’s Cornman Farms Oktoberfest Pop-Up (September 21)
This one-day countryside pop-up gives Oktoberfest a farm-to-table twist, with Zingerman’s signature hospitality, themed food and drinks, and a cozy barn setting. A smaller, curated celebration that feels more intimate than the big street fests.
8540 Island Lake Rd, Dexter
OG Oktoberfest (September 26)
This all-day Oktoberfest starts about 2pm with German-inspired food specials, craft beers, live music starting at 6pm and plenty of festive cheer. Think kielbasa, fresh pretzels, sauerkraut and steins flowing well into the night.
Original Gravity Brewing, 440 County St, Milan
Ann Arbor Oktoberfest Pub Crawl (September 27)
Tickets are required for this nightlife spin on Oktoberfest. The pub-crawl-style celebration hops across multiple bars and venues, serving steins of beer, food specials and live entertainment.
Multiple downtown Ann Arbor venues
A2 Artoberfest (October 11–12)
More art fair than beer fest, this festive Kerrytown celebration brings 100+ jury-selected artists, live entertainment, food vendors, art activities, and adult beverages. Think Oktoberfest energy with an Ann Arbor artsy twist.
Kerrytown district (Ann St & N Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor)
What began as a royal wedding celebration in Munich has become a worldwide excuse to raise a glass, don your dirndl and dance a little polka. From Cincinnati to Frankenmuth to Ann Arbor, Oktoberfest proves one thing: no matter where it’s celebrated, beer tastes better with a side of community.
