Oktoberfest ala Frankenmuth

In 1990, in honor of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Frankenmuth initiated an Oktoberfest.

In 1996, Lord Mayor Christian Ude of Germany officially sanctioned the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest celebration, making it the only city outside Munich to receive such an honor.  In homage, Munich-based brewer Hofbrauhaus became the festival’s official sponsor, making this the first city in the U.S. to import this German beer.

Dubbed Michigan’s Little Bavaria, the city is as head-to-toe German as an American city can get, from its cuckoo-clock store to the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion, a scaled-down version of an authentic German beer hall. The German band performs annually and authentic German fare is served daily.

A German dinner buffet is offered for $11.00 per person. It features typical German fare such as Black Forest Ham, Bratwurst with Sauerkraut, Jaeger Meatballs, German Potato Salad, Buttered Spatzle and Sweet and Sour Cabbage.

American Fare is also available with Chicken Tenders, Pizza, Hotdogs and French Fires for the kids

This year, the Oktoberfest runs from Thursday, September 20^th, through Saturday, September 23^rd.

Daily Admission: Thursday, September 20^th through Saturday, September 21^st is $8.00.  Sunday is Free; Kids (12 & under) Free

Gates Open:        Thursday 3 pm – 10 pm

                 Friday & Saturday 12 pm – Midnight

                 Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm

Free parking for the Oktoberfest is located on the festival grounds as you arrive at Heritage Park.  Heritage Park is located on the banks of the Cass River, behind the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. This tourist driven town is the perfect compliment to the festival – offering an array of activities to occupy your time before and after the festival. You will enjoy more than two miles of hands-on demonstrations, unique shops, wonderful food and hospitality you won’t find anywhere else.

Directions from the Detroit area:

Take I-75 North to exit 136 for Frankenmuth/Birch Run

Turn right onto M-54 S/M-83 (N Birch Run Rd)

Turn left onto M-83 (N Gera Rd) and continue north until you enter Frankenmuth

Turn right onto E Jefferson St and then take the 2^nd left onto Weiss St

Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest is located at 601 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734