Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival. It originated in Germany and has spread to all parts of the world. It’s a great way to welcome fall, as it’s generally still decent weather for Oktoberfests in Washington, so you can be outside while you sample beer, listen to music, and more. While we may start to get the rain around this time of year, it’s not hard to convince any of us locals to head out for this fun event.
While my goal is to go to Germany someday to celebrate this festival, you can still do it while staying local. There are many places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Washington State, whether you’re in Seattle or over the mountains, and it’s by far one of the best things to do in the fall in Seattle. I often frequent the Fremont and Edmonds Oktoberfests, as they’re easy to get to and always a lively day.
Whether you’re looking for Oktoberfests near Seattle or live a bit further away, here are seven Washington Oktoberfests to check out, including their dates, locations, admission prices, and other details you’ll find helpful. Prost!
7 Oktoberfests in Washington to Check Out
While there are a variety of Oktoberfests in Seattle and the rest of the state, here are the 7 festivals I recommend visiting.
1. Leavenworth Oktoberfest
Dates: October 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 2026
Location: Leavenworth
The Leavenworth Oktoberfest is a world-famous event and a very kid-friendly Oktoberfest in Washington. It is celebrated annually during the first three weekends of October and welcomes more than 10,000 visitors every year.
You’ll want to book a weekend in Leavenworth well in advance. There is a combination of indoor and outdoor areas in case it rains when you go.
I went here years ago to participate in the Leavenworth half-marathon and then to the Oktoberfest celebration to indulge in a few beers. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful, warm fall day, and it’s still one of my favorite memories in Leavenworth to date.
Visitors can enjoy amazing music, a never-ending flow of beer, delicious sausages, and barbecue ribs, and people dressed in traditional Bavarian attire or their best attempts at what it should look like. The Leavenworth Oktoberfest celebration is typically divided into four party locations, and each features some of the best German bands and dance groups providing entertainment.
You won’t want to miss the Leavenworth Oktoberfest parade on Saturday at noon. Bavarian marching bands, dressed in polkas, take to the streets in horse-drawn wagons and wave flags from around the world. It’s a fun part of the celebration.
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The Keg Tapping Opening Ceremony typically happens after the parade, at 1:00 PM. Children not interested in the parade can make their way down to the Kinderplatz area of the festival, where they can burn off their energy scrambling up the climbing wall or dancing along to child-appropriate music performances.
While Leavenworth winter activities are popular, this time of year is probably the second most festive. If you’re looking for extra activities after this, check out the nearby fall hikes in Washington.
Where to Stay: If you want to stay in nearby Wenatchee to save money, the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel is a convenient option. Otherwise, you could look for lodging in Leavenworth (well in advance), where the Bavarian Lodge is close to downtown Leavenworth and has a restaurant, bar, and free parking for guests. (rates start at $161 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com)
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2. Fremont Oktoberfest
Dates: September 18-20, 2026
Location: Seattle
For three days every year, hundreds of adults come together in the streets of Fremont to celebrate the best craft beer in the Pacific Northwest and some of the most amazing German beers. Known as Fremont Oktoberfest, this three-day event is hailed as the largest Oktoberfest in Seattle. I used to love going to this with my friends when I lived closer to Seattle and would always spend all Saturday there.
Beer lovers can gather to enjoy amazing music, a beer line featuring one hundred different brews, delicious food, and lots of adult games, including ax throwing, Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving, Stein Hoisting, and a great big game of Street Scramble.
While anyone under 21 years old is not permitted to attend Fremont Oktoberfest, dog owners can bring along their furry friends on Sunday for Dogtoberfest. Properly leashed pups can join in the fun at this Seattle Oktoberfest and get in on a modeling contest and other tail-wagging activities.
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Where to Stay: The Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown is a great hotel option for those visiting Fremont Oktoberfest. It is less than two miles from the venue and offers beautiful, fully-stocked rooms. Guests can also bring their dogs in to tag along for Dogtoberfest.
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3. Edmonds Oktoberfest
Dates: September 11-12, 2026
Location: Edmonds
My favorite Oktoberfest in Washington is in small town Edmonds, as it’s a fun community event, and you get an amazing view of the water from the top of the hill. They have a great selection of local breweries (and many kid-friendly Seattle brewpubs) that create a specialty Oktoberfest beer that you can vote on at the end.
This is a family-friendly event, with a 5K race starting at 10 a.m. and a kids’ 1K dash at 11 a.m. You’ll want to register in advance to reserve your spot and save money. When the festival opens at 12 p.m., there will also be a kids’ corner with crafts and plenty of activities.
At this Washington Oktoberfest, you’ll also enjoy live music all day while you sample your beer. Numerous local food trucks will also be available when you get hungry. This is one of the best things to do in Edmonds during the year.
If you want to extend your weekend, you can take the ferry from Edmonds over to Kingston and go south to visit Bainbridge Island or go north to spend one day in Olympic National Park.
Where To Stay: The closest hotel is the Best Western Plus Edmonds Harbor Inn, which is convenient because you can walk to the festival from here. There’s an outdoor heated pool, and you’ll be near many shops and restaurants when you get hungry. Prices start at $250 per night.
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4. Dru Bru Oktoberfest
Dates: September 19, 2026
Location: Cle Elum
Dru Bru’s annual Oktoberfest at their Cle Elum taproom is a smaller, more community-focused option than the bigger city festivals. Our family stops at Dru Bru all the time on our drives out to visit friends in Spokane, so we’ve gotten to know this place well over the years. Located just off I-90 on the way to Snoqualmie Pass, it’s a great option for anyone driving to or from Central Washington for the fall.
The event has family-friendly and adult competitions, including stein holding championships, a keg toss with cash pools, and their signature 3-liter Boot challenge. Kids get their own 25-ounce mug hoisting contest, which is why we like it so much as a family stop. Dru Bru brews their beers on-site, so you can watch the process while sampling their fresh German-style lagers.
Where to Stay Near Dru Bru Oktoberfest
- Suncadia Resort – Full-service resort in Cle Elum with golf, spa, and multiple on-site restaurants. Family-friendly with pools and outdoor activities. Best for travelers wanting a full resort experience about 10 minutes from downtown Cle Elum.
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5. Anacortes Bier Near the Pier
Dates: October 3-4, 2026
Location: Anacortes
The Anacortes Oktoberfest, also known as the Bier on the Pier Brew and Cider Festival, is a two-day event 80 miles north of Seattle that celebrates German and Bavarian culture. The festival is for adults only, and attendees are required to carry proof of ID. This area is one of the more scenic weekend getaways from Seattle, so you’ll love visiting.
For two whole days, the city of Anacortes will be alive with the sounds of local bands like Gin Gypsy, Randy Weeks, and Miller Campbell singing, groups of people dancing, and strangers becoming friends as they share food and drinks from more than forty breweries and restaurants-on-wheels at this Oktoberfest in Seattle. This is one of the best things to do in Anacortes, so make sure to put it on your list.
Anacortes is also the gateway to the San Juan Islands, so you can extend your trip by visiting Orcas Island or spending a weekend on San Juan Island.
Where To Stay: If you are in town and want to attend this Oktoberfest in Seattle, The Majestic Inn & Spa is located within 15 minutes of the festival. Its luxurious rooms have partial views of the bay, and the hotel has a restaurant and a spa on-site (it’s also my favorite place to stay up there!). (rates start at $244 per night)
6. Oktoberfest Northwest
Dates: October 9-11, 2026
Location: Puyallup
Recurring for over 15 years, Oktoberfest Northwest is popularly regarded as the largest Munich-style Oktoberfest in Washington. Organized by people passionate about German celebrations, the event features German beers, ciders, and local craft brews.
There will be nonstop games for people of all ages, and dog owners can enter their pups in the Wiener Dog Races. Other games to look forward to include the Stein Dash 5K and Bavarian Bier Olympics. The kids are never left out at this Oktoberfest near Seattle, as they get to carve and decorate pumpkins, get beautiful designs painted on their faces, and dance and sing with newfound friends.
Where To Stay: The Fairfield Inn & Suites is located in Puyallup and is only a few minutes away from Oktoberfest on foot, and it’s the festival’s official hotel partner. It has comfortable rooms, a buffet breakfast for guests, and a well-equipped fitness center. (prices start at $219 per night)
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7. West End Oktoberfest
Dates: September 19-20, 2026
Location: Spokane
Five breweries come together each year to put on the West End Oktoberfest: Iron Goat Brewing, Brick West Brewing Co., Salt King Brewing, Whistle Punk Brewing, and Humble Abode Brewing. I like this festival because it’s celebrated at a handful of breweries throughout downtown Spokane’s West End, rather than on the street like many others.
Anyone can visit the breweries during these days, but you’ll want to buy a ticket to get Oktoberfest swag and take advantage of all the discounts. Check out the website to see the music line-up at each brewery and their daily food specials, such as German potato salad.
Where to Stay: The Hampton Inn & Suites Spokane is a great place to stay if you are in Spokane for Oktoberfest. Only a seven-minute drive from the CenterPlace Event Center, the hotel offers plush rooms with fridges and microwaves as well as a hot buffet breakfast in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Oktoberfests
When is Oktoberfest in Washington?
Washington’s Oktoberfest celebrations run from mid-September through mid-October each year. Fremont Oktoberfest opens the season on September 18-20, 2026, and Leavenworth’s three-weekend celebration wraps up on October 17. Most other Washington Oktoberfests fall between these dates.
What is the biggest Oktoberfest in Washington?
Oktoberfest Northwest in Puyallup is the biggest Oktoberfest in Washington by attendance, held October 9-11, 2026 at the Washington State Fair Event Center. Leavenworth Oktoberfest is the most immersive experience since the entire Bavarian-themed town participates, with three weekends of programming in October.
Do you need tickets for Oktoberfest in Leavenworth?
Yes, Leavenworth Oktoberfest is now a ticketed event. Tickets are sold through leavenworth.org and popular Saturday sessions sell out early. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Front Street downtown remains open and free to explore, but the main venues (Festhalle and Front Street Park) require admission tickets.
Are Washington Oktoberfests family friendly?
Some are, some aren’t. Leavenworth, Oktoberfest Northwest in Puyallup, Edmonds, and Dru Bru in Cle Elum all have family-friendly areas with games and activities for kids. Fremont Oktoberfest in Seattle is strictly 21+. The Anacortes Bier Near the Pier festival is also 21+. Check individual event websites for age policies before you go.
Which Oktoberfest is closest to Seattle?
Fremont Oktoberfest is the closest to Seattle, taking place right in the city’s Fremont neighborhood September 18-20, 2026. Edmonds Oktoberfest is another close option, about 20 minutes north of Seattle on September 11-12. For a Bavarian village experience, Leavenworth is a 2.5 hour drive east across Stevens Pass.
What should I wear to Oktoberfest?
Traditional Bavarian attire like lederhosen for men and dirndls for women is welcomed but not required at any Washington Oktoberfest. Most attendees wear a mix of costume elements (a hat, a stein necklace, a Bavarian shirt) with regular clothes. Dress warmly in layers since most events are outdoors and Pacific Northwest fall weather is unpredictable.
Washington’s Oktoberfest season is one of the best times of year to explore the state, whether you’re heading to Leavenworth for the full Bavarian village experience, hitting Fremont for Seattle’s biggest beer festival, or stopping at Dru Bru in Cle Elum on a road trip east. Plan ahead for the bigger events since tickets sell out, and pair your Oktoberfest with some larch hikes in Washington if you can catch peak fall color in the same weekend.
