Since 1973, La Mesa Oktoberfest has been attracting Oktoberfest revelers from across San Diego and Southern California for three free days of festive live music, including Oompa bands, tons of top-notch German food, and of course, steins filled to the brim with German & Craft beer.
This year marks a milestone 50th year of the festival and La Mesa Oktoberfest is celebrating in style by offering Munich-inspired festivities in the La Mesa Village on Friday, Sept. 29, Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1 as the quaint streets set the scene for the largest German celebration San Diego has to offer.
Grab your steins and get ready to “Prost!” (Cheers!), because there is a libation to satisfy the taste of every Mann or Frau at this year’s Oktoberfest. Top off a perfect day soaking in the La Mesa sun with three fully loaded biergartens featuring non-stop performances by local and regional bands for young and old alike with German Polka bands, indie rock jams, brass musicians and more. A Biergarten Pass is only $5 (kids are free) and gives you access to all three unique gartens. Guests will want to come hungry and enjoy a wide variety of traditional German food, giant pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel, and other delicious delights in the food court.
Gather up your brute and brawn for the Glücklich Games and battle it out in a series of ferocious games.
Race down the street through a mini obstacle course while holding full steins at the Beer Stein Races. Face off to see who can roll their beer barrel the fastest from one end of the course to the other with the Beer Barrel Roll. Team up and grab each end of a keg, run around the cone, and then come back and pass it off to the next two players on your team with the Keg Haul Relay Race. Throw your partner over your shoulders and race through the custom course with the Partner Carrying Race. Prove which team is the strongest with a suspenseful game of Tug-O-War.
After you have competed in the Glücklich Games, head over to Artisan Market.
The Artisanal Market features boutique, small-business vendors offering unique and hand-made items. Lining the streets will be over 100+ vendors to shop at and enjoy traditional and non-traditional food including some unique vegan specials. If the above was not enough, Oktoberfest has even more to enjoy at this German paradise with the German Kinder Karneval, featuring a towering Ferris Wheel, rock-climbing wall, massive inflatable slides, interactive art, brat-eating competitions, scavenger hunts, & more.
Dachshunds and all pets are welcome. Bring your furry friend to the 3-day Däckeldorf extravaganza and participate in the free Wiener/Dachshund dog races and fashion shows to win exciting prizes and medals.
Always wanted to be a VIP? Upgrade your Oktoberfest experience with one of the Hofbrauhaus Biergarten VIP Passes that provide special benefits and VIP treatments. Celebrating its 50th year, La Mesa Oktoberfest continues to top its traditions and present Bavarian festivities that San Diegans of all ages can partake in. Don’t miss the fun, traditions, and history that has led to this milestone 50th year.
For more information and to purchase VIP passes, visit LaMesaOktoberfest.org.
