Grab your steins and lederhosen, it’s time for the 15th annual German-inspired Oktoberfest featuring a beer garden, live music and fun contests Oct. 11-12 on Newport Avenue and Abbott Street in Ocean Beach.
Billed as Southern California’s only Oktoberfest party at the beach, the two-day festival kicks off Friday the 11th with a 21-and-over beer garden from 4 p.m. to midnight. Guests can enjoy live music featuring Jose Sinatra and fun contests. 
The beachside festival continues Saturday, Oct. 12, in the grassy area at the foot of Newport Avenue, with an all-ages area activated at 9 a.m. with delicious food, merchandise booths and a beachside stage featuring musicians from Rock & Roll San Diego. Festivities continue at 11 a.m. when the Beer Garden in the pier parking lot opens with exciting contests and live entertainment.
“OB Oktoberfest is a quirky salute to Oktoberfest with our own uniquely ‘OB’ spin on it,” said Denny Knox, executive director of Ocean Beach MainStreet Association. “The event brings lots of visitors and residents into downtown OB for a couple of fun days. Funds raised at this event go to many local nonprofits including The Peninsula Alliance, Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, youth sports, and OBMA. Event funds help with the Clean & Safe Programs as well as numerous beautification efforts around OB.”
The Brew Fest will take place Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. featuring local breweries including OB Brewery, Belching Beaver, Culture Brewing Co., Hodad’s Brewing Co., Kilowatt Brewing, Mike Hess Brewing Co., Pizza Port, Two Roots Brewing Co., and Bay City Brewing Co. Each brewery will feature one style of beer. 
The special tastings, dubbed “Poured with Courage” tastings, will be served by active and retired wounded service members on behalf of The Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, which will share in the proceeds. Tasting tickets are $40 and will be sold online prior to the event and at the gate as long as they last.
Traditional bratwurst-eating, stein-holding contests, and the outrageous balloon blow will also be held Saturday. The event ends each night at midnight.
Admission to the beer garden is $5 and supports the OB community. A ‘fast pass’ ticket is available for $20 and includes entry plus two drink tickets.
OB Oktoberfest is presented by Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, Hoy Hoy Boys and The Peninsula Alliance. During the past decade, the OB Oktoberfest has raised more than $275,000 for local nonprofit organizations. 
For tasting tickets and more information, visit OBOktoberfest.com.