2018 Oktoberfest Celebrations in and around San Jose and Silicon Valley

Photo from last year’s 2017 Mountain View Oktoberfest presented by Steins Beer Garden and the Chamber of Commerce.

Oktoberfest in Munich takes place from September 22 to October 7 this year, and I’m sure there are many like me (as I seem to say every year) who wish they were München bound for the real thing.

Fortunately, there are a number of local, Oktoberfest-inspired events and celebrations taking place throughout San Jose and nearby, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy German and German-style beer and food in a festive atmosphere. Many of the celebrations will also feature live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

Below is a roundup of this year’s local Oktoberfest events listed by date. Please let me know if I’m missing any.

Prost!

~Andy

Sat., Sep. 8: Gourmet Haus Staudt, Redwood City

What: It’s their annual outdoor Oktoberfest celebration, starting at noon. Plenty of German beers on tap, lots of bratwurst and live music featuring The Internationals (starting at 2:30pm). 12-8pm. $10 entry fee.

Where: 2615 Broadway St., Redwood City

More Info.: Facebook event page

Fri., Sep. 14: Teske’s Germania, San Jose

What: German fare and beers with live musical entertainment on select Friday and Saturday evenings starting Sep. 14 to Oct. 27.

Where: 255 N. 1st St., San Jose

More Info.: Teske’s Entertainment page

Sat., Sep. 15: Drake’s Barrel House, San Leandro

What: ‘Flocktoberfest’ 2018 at Drake’s Brewing Company, replete with steins, bratwurst and beer. 11:30am-4pm. $15.

Where: 1933 Davis St., San Leandro

More Info.: Facebook event page

Tue., Sep. 18: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Campbell

What: Annual ‘Rocktoberfest Tapping.’ Join Rock Bottom in Campbell for this German style lager brewed with Munich and Vienna Malts for a toasted, balanced maltiness. Plus corn hole with the brewers, a stein hoisting contest, a brat eating contest and more. 3-7pm.

Where: 1875 S. Bascom Ave., #700, Campbell

More Info.: Facebook event page

Fri., Sep. 21 to Sun., Sep. 23: Park Station Hashery, San Jose

What: It’s ‘Caltobre Fest’ time at Park Station Hashery, a 3-day celebration of Bavarian-inspired food and beer combined with California’s bounty.

Where: 1701 Park Ave., San Jose

More Info.: Website

Sat., Sep. 22: Uproar Brewing Company, San Jose

What: Check out Uproar Brewing Company’s take on Oktoberfest. Look for German-style beers to be on tap that day. Open at 11am.

Where: 439 S. First St., San Jose

More Info.: Website

Sat., Sep. 22, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara

What: Celebrate Oktoberfest at the Triton Museum with live music, games and beer and food from Golden State Brewery, Faultline Brewing Company and The Party Helpers. 1-4pm.

Where: 1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara

More Info.: Facebook event page

Sat., Sep. 22 & Sat., Sep. 29: Ludwig’s German Table, San Jose

What: Join Ludwig’s for Oktoberfest on Sep. 22 and Sep. 29 from 12pm to 9pm. There’ll be live music featuring the Zicke-Zacke band from 2-6pm, German beer and traditional Bavarian fare. $31.

Where: 261 N. 2nd St., San Jose

More Info: Facebook event page

Thurs., Sep. 27: The Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose

What: The Tech Museum of Innovation presents its 4th annual ‘Geektoberfest.’ Explore the biology of beer, with talks, demos and tastings. 7-10:30pm. $25.

Where: 201 S. Market St., San Jose

More Info.: Facebook event page

Fri., Sep. 28 to Sat., Oct. 7: Faultline Brewing Company, Sunnyvale

What:  Month long Oktoberfest specials, including German-inspired food and beer.

Where: 1235 Oakmead Pkwy., Sunnyvale

More Info.: Facebook event page

Sat., Sep. 29, 2-9pm: Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, San Jose

What: Gordon Biersch celebrates not only Oktoberfest but also its 30-year anniversary. Details to be provided.

Where: 357 E. Taylor St., San Jose

More Info: Facebook event page

Fri., Oct. 5, to Sun., Oct. 7: Clandestine Brewing, San Jose

What: Look for German-style ales and lagers galore at Clandestine Brewing’s 2018 Oktoberfest celebration. Dress in Bavarian gear to receive discounts.

Where: 980 S. 1st St., Ste. B

More Info.: Facebook event page

Sat., Oct. 6: The Cider Junction, San Jose

What: The Cider Junction celebrates its one-year anniversary with an Oktoberfest-inspired celebration. 12-9pm.

Where: 820 Willow St., San Jose

More Info.: Facebook event page

Sat., Oct. 6 – Sun., Oct. 7: Mountain View Oktoberfest

What: Steins Beer Garden & Restaurant and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce present the 6th Annual Mountain View Oktoberfest. Expect a festive vibe, family friendly entertainment and lots of people celebrating with German beers in hand.

Where: Parking lot at Dana St. and Bryant St., Mountain View

More Info.: Website

Sat., Oct. 13: Peninsula Oktoberfest, San Carlos

What: It’s the annual Peninsula Oktoberfest at Hiller Aviation Museum, held in the evening for the second year in a row from 6pm to 11pm. There’ll be live music as well as German beer and food available for purchase. 6-11pm.

Where: Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Rd., San Carlos

More Info: Facebook event page

Fri., Oct. 19: Hotel Valencia Santana Row, San Jose

What: Celebrate ‘Unruly Oktoberfest’ with tapas-style bites from Oveja Negra Restaurant located within Hotel Valencia Santana Row and beers from local San Jose breweries Santa Clara Valley Brewing and Hapa’s Brewing Company. 5:30-9pm.

Where: 355 Santana Row, San Jose

More Info.: Eventbrite page

Sat., Oct. 20: Jack Rose Libation House, Los Gatos

What: Jack Rose Libation House celebrates its 6th annual Oktoberfest with German beer, German food and live music from The Internationals. 4-10pm.

Where: 18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd., Los Gatos

More Info.: FB event page

Sat., Oct. 20 to Sun., Oct. 21: Downtown Campbell Oktoberfest

What: The 24th annual Downtown Campbell Oktoberfest takes place over the weekend of Oct. 20-21, to be filled with live music, tasty food, arts and crafts, a kids zone and, of course, beer.

Where: E. Campbell Ave., Campbell

More Info.: FB event page