SDCNN Staff
Now in its 46th year, La Mesa Oktoberfest once again returns to the downtown Village with a Bavarian celebration complete with lederhosen, chicken dances, German cuisine and, of course, lots and lots of beer.
Oktoberfest, sponsored by Bob Stall Chevrolet and presented by Viejas Casino and Resort, will also feature two massive stages of nonstop music featuring a bit of everything — traditional Bavarian and German music, live oompah bands, traditional rock bands, DJs, tribute groups and more.
La Mesa Oktoberfest is a free event and is expected to bring more than 100,000 people from across Southern California for what has become San Diego’s largest Oktoberfest event. This year’s event is held Oct. 4-6, which follows the traditional celebrations in Munich that kick off in mid-September.
For visitors interested in traditional German music, both local and regional polka bands will be performing throughout the weekend, including The Oompah Brothers, The Bavarian Beer Garden Band and Polka Party Band. The music stages will also feature a mix of rock, country, tribute acts and pop standards from Captain J & The Jive Crew, Charlie’s Angels, Righteous & The Wicked, Rio Peligrosos, Manganista, Aether X, Power Snake, Super Buffet, The Mighty Untouchables and Elton John Kenny.
Beer lovers who have attended previous Oktoberfests will once again be served at the Hofbrauhaus Biergarten, which serves pints of traditional German beer. The Craft Beer & Spirits Garten will also be serving a mix of traditional German beers, craft beers from local breweries as well as cocktails.
New to this year’s event is the Palm Avenue Bier Hall, which offers an authentic German biergarten experience complete with lederhosen-dressed waitresses to deliver pints and brats as well as live Bavarian music.
La Mesa Oktoberfest is offering a way to save on steins with its Hofbrauhaus Biergarten Passes. Prices range $5 to $45 and depending on what level of pass, can include VIP entry and restrooms, front-of-line privileges, two complimentary beers, a commemorative stein, a chicken hat or flower crown, German beverages, juicy bratwurst, snitzel, a huge pretzel and more.
Also new this year are special Sünday Fünday prices at Oktoberfest. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, get half off all drinks in all biergartens and half off single-ride tickets for the Ferris wheel.
In addition to music, beer and food offerings, La Mesa Oktoberfest is a chance for visitors to find authentic homemade treasures and explore authentic art and German-style craft pieces from more than 30 local artisans in the Craft Faire tent.
Back again this year are family-friendly activities at the German Kinder Karneval, featuring a towering Ferris wheel, rock-climbing wall, massive inflatable slides, interactive art, brat-eating competitions, scavenger hunts and more.
Other fun activities like wiener dog races and howl-deling contests will be held in the Dackeldorf Dachshund Village.
For a complete list of all the free German fun and to purchase VIP passes, visit LaMesaOktoberfest.org.
