Traveling across the country by RV has many great benefits. One perk is you get to take part in regional celebrations wherever you are on the road. This fall, why not enjoy a rousing oompah band and plenty of good beer at any one of the Oktoberfest events scattered across America?
Even though the origins of this celebration are firmly planted in Bavaria, German immigrants have brought their beloved festival to many of the towns they helped to found here in the states. Munich still has the mother of all parties every year for three weeks in the fall, with parades, carnival rides, dancing, and lots and lots of beer in the Hofbrauhaus, but several cities in the U.S. emulate this Deutsche tradition. Here are a few places where you can indulge in gemutlichkeit—a German word used to convey the feeling of friendliness and good cheer.
San Francisco, California
Enjoy oompah music performed by the Chico Bavarian Band at the San Francisco Oktoberfest. Beer, brats, and pretzels are prevalent in this city by the bay from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2018.
Mount Angel, Oregon
Started as a harvest festival, Oktoberfest in Mount Angel has become the largest celebration in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy the parades, dancing, bratwurst, and of course, the beer from Sept. 15 through 18, 2018.
Breckenridge, Colorado
This little mountain town hosts the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the Rockies, with plenty of German beers, food, and music. The resort also has a family friendly section, so no one will miss out on the fun. The festival runs from Sept. 7 through 9, 2018.
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Home to a large German population, La Crosse has created a more laid-back Oktoberfest celebration. Parades, dances, and craft beer nights culminate with a beauty pageant from Sept. 23 through Oct. 1, 2018.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Established as a Bavarian Lutheran mission colony, Frankenmuth has a very authentic Oktoberfest celebration, with German foods, music and of course, Hofbrauhaus beers! You’ll feel like you are in Germany in its Bavarian village, especially during the festivities from Sept. 14 through 17, 2018.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Drawing half a million people, Cincinnati is by far the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the country. Music is held on seven different stages, and you can participate in the traditional Running of the Weiners race (complete with a hot dog costume). The world’s largest kazoo band will perform, and you can grab a beer, then sample foods from over 30 vendors from Sept. 17 through 18, 2018.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Participate in polkas and enjoy a plethora of beers in “Friztown.” Home to German immigrants since 1846, this Hill Country community pulls out all the stops for Oktoberfest from Oct. 6 through 8, 2018.
Nashville, Tennessee
Don’t miss all of the German beers, oompah bands and the world’s longest beer slip ‘n slide at Nashville’s Oktoberfest celebration. The festivities run from Oct. 5-8, 2018.
Helen, Georgia
This little Bavarian enclave in the mountains north of Atlanta celebrates its German heritage every day of the year. But Oktoberfest is the time to hear alphorns, accordions, and tubas serenade you while downing a wide selection of beer. Festival activities take place Sept. 6 through Oct. 28, 2018.
Celebrate Gemutlichkeit
If you’re traveling across America in your motorhome or trailer, put on your lederhosen or dirndl and grab a cold, frosty mug of beer to join in on a Bavarian tradition in a town near you. And if you don’t have an RV, consider renting one from Outdoorsy to explore all of the colorful celebrations this country has to offer.
