Imagine a wedding party so epic that the entire country got invited, and the party raged on for more than 200 years. That is the spirit that breweries, pubs, and communities around the globe are tapping into right now.

Oktoberfest traces its origins to October 12, 1810, when Bavaria celebrated the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese with a five-day extravaganza. The celebration was such a success that it became an annual tradition, and the meadow where it took place was named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) in honor of the bride. To this day, Munich locals don’t say they are “going to Oktoberfest.” Instead, they say they’re headed to "Theresienwiese"—or simply "the Wiesn."

Today, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest annual folk festival, drawing more than six million people over 15 days, who together consume nearly eight million liters of beer. As the extensive list of Oktoberfest-themed happenings below shows, when Munich raises its steins, the whole world joins in. While nothing matches the size and history of Munich’s celebration, events everywhere from Brazil to Japan to right here in the Bay Area attest to the perennial appeal of gathering together to enjoy a special beer with your folks.

Isn’t “Oktoberfest” a Beer Style?

Yes — and no. The term “Oktoberfest” is both:

• A protected EU appellation referring exclusively to beers brewed each year for “the Wiesn” by the six historic breweries within Munich’s city limits.
• A recognized beer style category in guidelines like the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).

Here’s where it gets tricky: the beers that Munich’s historic breweries make for the event have changed over the years.

• Early 1800s: Oktoberfest beers were dark lagers.
• Late 1800s: Spaten offered a Märzen, more amber-hued lager, for the festivities. For about the next century, Märzen and Oktoberfest became synonymous with one another as beer styles.
• 1970s onward: Paulaner popularized a golden lager that soon became predominant in the festival tents. BJCP now recognizes this as Festbier, a distinct style from Märzen.

What Does This Mean for You?

Currently, your local breweries and bars are likely serving beers labeled Oktoberfest, Traditional Oktoberfest, Märzen, Wiesn, Festbier, and even just Fest. You can expect all of these beers to be malt-forward, stronger* lagers brewed to coincide with the festivities taking place in Munich and around the world. Generally:

• Märzen or Traditional Oktoberfest → means darker, toastier, amber lagers, with a malt profile that is slightly more pastry-like
• Festbier, Wiesn, or Wiesn Märzen → means lighter in color, with a more delicate malt profile like enriched white bread.
• Oktoberfest → may refer to either style, depending on the brewery.

*You might come across some modern breweries with “Fest” or “Festbier” offerings brewed to a significantly lower ABV — a nod to the fact that not everyone wants to drink 6% beer by the liter.

Whatever beer ends up in your glass, when you see these styles on draft, consider it your chance to tap into more than 200 years of tradition. What began in 1810 as a royal wedding party has grown into one of the world’s most recognizable cultural traditions, with countless local adaptations that keep the spirit of celebration, camaraderie, and craftsmanship alive in communities and breweries far beyond Bavaria. 

---

🍻 Upcoming Events Featuring Our Member Breweries

🎉 Free (Pay-As-You-Go) Public Events This Weekend!

Saturday 9/27 — Steel Bonnet Brewing Company 10th Anniversary (Scotts Valley, CA) This celebration of a decade of delicious beer kicks off at noon with Pipers and a ribbon cutting ceremony, thereafter enjoy live local music, delicious food, and a chance to WIN A CUSTOM GUITAR! Not enough? Check out the pre-party on Friday night!
More Info →10th Anniversary Celebration!

Saturday, 9/27 — Oktoberfest (Headlands Brewing, Lafayette)
Celebrate Oktoberfest with Headlands Brewing at their Lafayette brewery and beer garden. Enjoy traditional German food specials, festive decorations, and lively music at both locations. Raise a stein of Bierstiefel Festbier 🍻🇩🇪!
More Info → OKTOBERFEST! In Lafayette

Saturday, 9/27 — Cuver Brewing 4th Anniversary (Windsor, CA)
Celebrate four years with Lila’s Streetside Eats, live music from Rhythm Drivers, and a darts tournament.
More Info →4th Anniversary Celebration!

Saturday, 9/27 — BYO Stein Oktoberfest at Enterprise Brewing (San Francisco, CA)
Show off your stein!!! Bring your own stein and Enterprise will fill it up with their new, limited-release Festbier brewed with 100% locally grown Admiral malt. Plus fresh pretzels,  and DJs spinning tunes straight outta Deutschland!
More Info →Oktoberfest in SF!

Saturday, 9/27 — Trumer Oktoberfest at Trumer Brewing Company (Berkeley, CA)
Trumer is the most awarded brewery in the world for the most popular style of German beer. It is only natural that they’d be joining in on the world’s biggest beer party with a day filled with live music, traditional German food, and of course, plenty of expertly-crafted German-style beer!
More Info →Oktoberfest in Berkeley!

Saturday, 9/27 — Oktoberfest at Taplands (Santa Clara, CA)
Taplands is continuing its annual tradition of hosting an Oktoberfest celebration in Santa Clara. This year’s draft list includes offerings from several member breweries. Guests are invited to come in traditional costumes and participate in the stein-holding competition. 
More Info →Oktoberfest in Santa Clara!

Saturday, 9/27 — Taste Güd Fest by Humble Sea Brewing (Santa Cruz, CA)
Partnered with Collective Santa Cruz, Humble Sea has put together a ‘Super Salty & Hella Malty’ celebration of all things lager and pretzel. Expect guest beers, ciders, and wines, a food lineup featuring a variety of salty snacks, meats, sweets, & treats, a nitro cold brew bar, a kids’ zone, a market showcasing local makers & artists, and live music all day long!
More Info →Oktoberfest in Santa Cruz!

---

🎟️ Ticketed Events

Thursday 10/2 — Semi-Annual Beer Dinner at Canyon Lakes Brewery (San Ramon, CA)
An extraordinary four-course feast featuring shrimp, scallop, and ostrich! All paired with tasty brew.
More Info → Semi-Annual Dinner

Saturday 10/4 — Brew Good Fest (Petaluma, CA | 5:30–10:00 PM)
Brew Good Fest is a fundraiser/launch-party for The Open Tap Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to turning collaborative beers into community benefits. Expect delicious beer from some of our members, a taco Bar, live music, and a silent auction.
More Info →Brew Good Fest

Saturday & Sunday, 10/4–10/5 — Oaktoberfest in the Dimond (Oakland, CA)
The East Bay’s iconic, family-friendly Bavarian street fest — featuring dozens of member breweries, live music, and more.
More Info →Oaktoberfest in the Dimond

---

📅 Save the Dates

Saturday, 10/4 — 2025 Wet Hop Party at Original Pattern (Oakland, CA)
Six unique Wet-hopped beers hit the taps — a once-a-year harvest-time treat.
More Info → 2025 Wet Hop Party

Saturday, 10/11 — Strike Brewing Anniversary Party (San Jose, CA) Raise a pint with San Jose’s hometown brewery as they celebrate another year of great beer.
More Info → 11th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday & Sunday, 10/11–10/12 — Oktoberfest at Pond Farm Brewing (San Rafael, CA)
German food menu, liters and liters of Festbier, Dunkel, Pilsner, Rauchbier, and Altbier, plus stein holding and many other games!
More Info →Oktoberfest in San Rafael

Friday 2/20/2026 - Sunday 3/1/2026 — Beer Week 2026 (The Whole Damn Bay Area!)
The biggest and best regional celebration of independent craft beer on the planet! 
Keep up-to-date on all the events at sfbeerweek.org