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Jun
Lederhosen Sale

Top Oktoberfest Celebrations in the USA

Posted on by Steve

Leaves are falling, and temperature is gradually decreasing. Do you know what that means? Oktoberfest is close. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Lederhosen and Dirndl to attend the world’s largest beer festival. However, this festival is not just about beer but represents Bavarian culture, German food, and music with many fun-filled activities. In 2022, around 5.6 million liters of beer were poured at the Oktoberfest in Munich. If you think you can attend this festival only by hopping on a plane to Germany, then you are wrong because the United States hosts their Oktoberfest celebrations in different states. 

List of Dates for Oktoberfest Festivals in the US 

S.No  Cities/States Celebration Dates 
San Francisco, California Sept 22th – 24th
Frankenmuth, Michigan  Sept 15th – 18th 
La Crosse, Wisconsin Sept 28th – Oct 1st 
Salt Lake County, Utah Aug 12th – Oct 15th 
Helen, Georgia  Sept 29th – Oct 30th 
Fun Fact: The Oktoberfest is called October because the original fest was held in October for a week in 1810. However, over the years, it has been extended, and the starting date of the fest has been changed to September due to better weather conditions. 

None of those mentioned above dates start in Oktober. 

Top 6 Festivities in Oktoberfest Celebrations in the USA

Contest for Stein Holding 

While it seems simple, the stein-holding contest is a difficult yet tremendously enjoyable activity in which everyone can participate. Grab a few beer mugs, fill them with beer or water, and you’re ready to head out!

Let’s discuss how it’s played

  • Participants line up in a row, each with a 1-liter stein full of beer.
  • The goal is to hold the stein for as long as possible without spilling any beer or bending the arm, with arms fully extended and parallel to the ground.
  • The winner is the last person standing with an arm that is straight and minimal spilling!

Polka Dance Competition 

A classic Polka Dance is the one that would complete the Oktoberfest festivities! Prepare to strut your stuff and whirl your companion around the dance floor. Here’s how you can get into the fun: 

  • Find a dancing partner and join the other dancers on the floor.
  • The band will play an energetic polka tune (or through speakers), and you must demonstrate your best polka dance moves.
  • Each couple is judged based on their footwork, enthusiasm, and overall performance.
  • The Polka Dance champions will be the couple with the highest score!

Oktober Best Costume Contest 

Dress in traditional Bavarian lederhosen costume and compete in the Oktoberfest costume contest, or Trachtenwettbewerb, to get into the Oktoberfest atmosphere. This exercise is a great chance to show off your flair. It’s also an excellent hobby for people of all ages. 

Here’s how you can do it: 

  • Dress in traditional German outfits for men, such as lederhosen and dirndls for ladies. Remember to accessorize with Bavarian-themed hats, scarves, and other accessories.
  • Register for the costume contest at the event’s specified site.
  • Contestants will be called on stage individually or in groups to show off their clothes.
  • The judges evaluate each contestant’s German outfit’s authenticity, ingenuity, and overall presentation.
  • The selected winners are from different categories, including “Best Lederhosen,” “Best Dirndl,” and “Best Overall Attire.”

Decorate Gingerbread Heart 

At the Oktoberfest Gingerbread Heart Decoration session, you may be creative and make a personalized gift. This Oktoberfest activity is suitable for people of every age and provides an enjoyable way to celebrate the festivities. This is how you make your piece of art:

  • Take or purchase a plain gingerbread heart from a vendor. So you can participate in a gingerbread heart-making session.
  • Write a message or create a design on your gingerbread heart with icing pens or tubes in various colors. “Ich liebe dich” (I love you), “Oktoberfest,” or a friend’s name is popular messages.
  • Add extra decorations like edible glitter, sugar flowers, or candy shapes to make your gingerbread heart stand out.
  • Allow the frosting to dry before attaching a ribbon to the top of the heart.
  • Display your work of art and see the delicious flavor of your Oktoberfest gingerbread heart.

Bavarian Hat-Making Contest 

Participate in a Bavarian hat-making workshop to unleash your creativity and immerse yourself in Bavarian culture. This project requires players to design a distinctive hat they can only wear comfortably at Oktoberfest!

Make a personalized hat using the instructions below:

  • Collect all essential materials (felt hats, feathers, pins, hatbands, and other embellishments). Alternatively, as shown in the video, you can construct an origami hat.
  • Begin by selecting a traditional Bavarian felt hat in the color and size of your choice.
  • Add a colorful hatband with a classic Bavarian pattern or a design to personalize your hat.
  • Embellish your hat with feathers, pins, and other accessories to show your personality and flair.
  • Put on your Bavarian hat with pride during Oktoberfest festivities, and enjoy the comments on your masterpiece.
Did you know that traditional guests wear Tirlerhüte or Bavarian hats? The more tufts of goat hair on the hat, the more wealthier you are. 

Oktoberfest Trivia Test 

The Oktoberfest trivia challenge will test your knowledge of Oktoberfest and German culture. This entertaining Oktoberfest activity is ideal for small groups of friends or coworkers. Here’s how it works:

  • Participants divide into groups of 3-5 people.
  • A panelist asked about Oktoberfest, German culture, history, and beer concepts.
  • Teams have a set amount of time to discuss and record their responses.
  • The host announces the right answers once the participants have answered all the questions. 
  • The team with the most accurate answers wins the contest. 

Wrap Up 

Oktoberfest is a popular festival celebrated in many cities across the US. It is time to celebrate German culture and heritage, wear the most demanded dress in the event, which is Lederhosen and dirndl, along with accessories. It has traditional German food, music, and beer. The celebrations last several days with so many activities in the festival organized by the management. Thousands of people visit this festival yearly and experience the best German cultural festival in the US. If you are looking for a Lederhosen costume, you can check out the sale of Lederhosensale.