Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest returns Sept. 12 for ten weekends of lederhosen, lagers, and the Chicken Dance
One of California's oldest Oktoberfest celebrations is back with a new theme — and a packed schedule that runs deep into November near the Convention Center.
By Big Bear News1 min read
Big Bear Lake's beloved Oktoberfest kicks off Saturday, Sept. 12, and this year's run is a long one — ten consecutive weekends of German bands, bratwursts, and stein-hoisting competitions spread across the fall season. The 2026 edition carries the theme "A Classic Tradition — An Elevated Celebration," a nod to the event's long roots in the valley.
At 56 years old, the festival ranks among California's oldest Oktoberfest parties, and organizers are leaning into that legacy. Boisterous acts like the Alpin Bavarian Band are scheduled to appear on select dates, and the event promises the same beer poured at Munich's Oktoberfest. Beyond the taps, classic festival pastimes — stein-holding competitions, dual-log sawing, and the ever-popular Chicken Dance — are all on the program.
The schedule is structured to offer something different each day of the weekend. Fridays feature beer tastings, Sundays are reserved for Family Fun Days, and Saturdays go late with "Saturday After Dark," billed as an "amp'd up German party".
The festival is held near the Big Bear Lake Convention Center. For year-round residents, ten weekends of visitors means ten weekends of increased traffic in that corridor — worth keeping in mind when planning errands or weekend outings this fall. Details on specific weekend lineups, tickets, the final weekend date, and any 2026-specific changes from festival organizers could not be confirmed at publication time; check bigbearevents.com for updates as the season approaches.
Sources (1)
- 1.NBC Los Angeles
The 2026 event will frolic over ten weekends, beginning Sept. 12, and traditional German bands, an assortment of nostalgic Oktoberfest pastimes, and bratwursts galore are in vibrant view.
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