2019 Oktoberfest Celebrations in and around San Jose and Silicon Valley
This year, Oktoberfest in Munich starts on Saturday, September 21 and runs through Sunday, October 6.
And I’m sure there are many like me (as I seem to say every year) who wish they were soon bound for München to partake in 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 plenty of live entertainment and family-friendly activities.
Below is a roundup of this year’s local Oktoberfest events, which I’ll continue to update in the coming days.
Prost!
~Andy
Sat., Sep. 7: Gourmet Haus Staudt, Redwood City
What: It’s their annual outdoor Oktoberfest celebration, starting at noon. Plenty of German beer on tap, lots of bratwurst and live music featuring The Internationals (starting at 2pm). 12-7pm. $10 entry fee.
Where: 2615 Broadway St., Redwood City
More Info.: Facebook event page
Fri., Sep. 13 – Sat., Oct. 26: Teske’s Germania, San Jose
What: German fare and beer with live music on select Friday and Saturday evenings starting Fri., Sep. 13 to Sat., Oct. 26.
Where: 255 N. 1st St., San Jose
More Info.: Teske’s Germania Entertainment page
Sat., Sep. 14: Drake’s Barrel House, San Leandro
What: Drake’s ‘Flocktoberfest’ 2019 at Drake’s Brewing Company, replete with steins, bratwurst and beer. 11:30am-7pm. Entry is free; beer and food cost money. There’s a special $30 pre-sale package which includes a commemorative glass das boot, one beer fill and a tasty plate of their ‘Flocktober Feast.’
Where: 1933 Davis St., San Leandro
More Info.: Facebook event page
Fri., Sep. 20 – Sun., Sep. 22: Park Station Hashery, San Jose
What: It’s the 3rd annual ‘Caltobre Fest’ 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. 21, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara
What: Celebrate Oktoberfest at the Triton Museum with live music, games, beer and food. Santa Clara’s own Taplands will be participating. 1-4pm.
Where: 1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara
More Info.: Facebook event page
Sat., Sep. 21 & Sat., Sep. 28: Ludwig’s German Table, San Jose
What: Join Ludwig’s for Oktoberfest on Sep. 22 and Sep. 29 from 1pm 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
Sat., Sep. 21 – Sat., Oct. 26: New Bohemia Brewing Company, Santa Cruz
What: Outdoor party, bands, Bavarian food specials, Octoberfest beer release and more.
Where: 1030 41st Ave., Santa Cruz
More Info: Website
Thu., Sep. 26: Hotel Valencia Santana Row, San Jose
What: Celebrate ‘Unruly Oktoberfest’ with unlimited tapas-style bites from Oveja Negra Restaurant located within Hotel Valencia Santana Row and beer tasting from San Jose breweries Santa Clara Valley Brewing, Hapa’s Brewing Company, Camino Brewing Company and Clandestine Brewing, as well as Original Pattern Brewing Company out of Oakland. 5:30-9pm. $40.
Where: 355 Santana Row, San Jose
More Info.: Facebook event page
Thu., Sep. 26: The Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose
What: The Tech Museum of Innovation presents its 5th annual ‘Geektoberfest.’ Explore the biology of beer, with talks, demos and tastings. 7-10:30pm. $25 for members and $35 for the general public.
Where: 201 S. Market St., San Jose
More Info.: Facebook event page
Sun., Sep. 29: Taplands, Santa Clara
What: Taplands hosts ‘Spirit of Oktoberfest’ with German beers, Bavarian-inspired food and Bavarian music. 1-4pm.
Where: 1171 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara
More Info.: Facebook event page
Fri., Oct. 4 – Sun., Oct. 6: Clandestine Brewing, San Jose
What: German-style beers galore at Clandestine Brewing’s Oktoberfest 2019 celebration. Dress in Oktoberfest attire to receive discounts.
Where: 980 S. 1st St., Ste. B
More Info.: Facebook event page
Sat., Oct. 5: The Cider Junction, San Jose
What: The Cider Junction celebrates its 2-year anniversary with an Oktoberfest-inspired celebration. 12-9pm.
Where: 820 Willow St., San Jose
More Info.: Facebook event page
Sat., Oct. 5, 2-9pm: Oktoberfest at Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, San Jose
What: Gordon Biersch celebrates its own take on Oktoberfest with plenty of food trucks, live music, games and, of course, beer.
Where: 357 E. Taylor St., San Jose
More Info: Facebook event page
Sat., Oct. 5 – Sun., Oct. 6: Mountain View Oktoberfest
What: Steins Beer Garden & Restaurant and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce present the 7th 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. (one block West of Castro St.), Mountain View
More Info.: Event website
Sat., Oct. 12: Peninsula Oktoberfest, San Carlos
What: It’s the annual Peninsula Oktoberfest at Hiller Aviation Museum. There’ll be live music courtesy of the Zicke Zacke Band and Bayern Maiden and German beer and food available for purchase. 6-11pm.
Where: Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Rd., San Carlos
More Info.: Facebook event page
Sat., Oct. 19 to Sun., Oct. 20: Downtown Campbell Oktoberfest
What: The 25th annual Downtown Campbell Oktoberfest takes place over the weekend of Oct. 19-20, to be filled with live music, tasty food, arts and crafts, a kids zone and, of course, plenty of beer.
Where: E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
More Info.: Event website