2018 Oktoberfest Celebrations in and around San Jose and Silicon Valley
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