Join in for the 8th annual Waukesha Oktoberfest event for a taste of German in the heart of Waukesha County. Mark your calendars for Friday, September 20, from 5:00-10:00 pm and Saturday, September 21, from noon-10:00pm, at Frame Park in Waukesha. This event is free and open to the public.
Come for “Bier, Freunde und Fun! Join in for a taste of Deutschland in the heart of Waukesha in beautiful Frame Park!
Join us for a taste of Deutschland in the heart of Waukesha! Nonstop music, food, beer, and fun! Rain or shine as most activities take place under a big tent!
Is Oktoberfest family-friendly?
Yes! Bring the kiddos and enjoy the food, music, and fun. Kids love the bronze statues, treats from Mama Ducky’s, root beer and pretzels, and the Children’s Area on Saturday from 2 to 5 pm with kids crafts and fun! The nationally recognized playground is not too far away if they really need to blow off some steam.
Rain or Shine…most activities take place under a big tent!
Annual Waukesha Oktoberfest Schedule:
Friday, September 20
- 5:00 p.m.: Opening of Oktoberfest! Free Bier with the tapping of the Firkin while it lasts!
- 5:00-6:00 p.m.: Music by 484th Army Band
- 5:00-8:00 p.m.: Live Beer Garden Statues
- 5:00-8:00 p.m.: Chainsaw wood carving demonstrations
- 5:00-8:00 p.m.: Blacksmith demonstrations
- 6:00 p.m.: Glockenspiel
- 6:00 p.m.: Best Dressed of the Fest Contest Come in your best Dirndl or Lederhosen and bring your friends to cheer you on!
- 6:15 p.m.: Spielmannsrug Drum & Bugle Corps
- 6:30 p.m.: D’Oberlandler Dancers
- 7:00-10:00 p.m.: Music by CopperBox: The Oktoberfest Experience
- 8:00 p.m.: Glockenspiel
- 8:15 p.m.: Masskrugstemmen Contest
Saturday, September 21
- Noon: Oktoberfest Opens
- Noon – 6:00 p.m.: Das Bags Tourney
- Noon – 8:00 p.m.: Chainsaw wood carving demonstrations
- Noon – 8:00 p.m.: Blacksmith demonstrations
- 1:00-4:30 p.m.: Music by The Squeezettes
- 2:00 p.m.: Glockenspiel
- 2:00-5:00 p.m.: Family Area: crafts, games & more!
- 2:30 p.m.: Unveiling of the Oktoberfest Cake/Free cake to the first 400
- 3:30 -7:30 p.m.: Live Beer Garden Statues
- 4:30 p.m.: Glockenspiel
- 5:00 p.m.: Muller Fasching Verein Nordamerika
- 7:00 -10:00 p.m.: Music by The Dreadnoughts
- 7:45 p.m.: Masskrugstemmen Contest
- 8:00 p.m.: Glockenspiel
The City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department (WPRF) announces the The Dreadnoughts will headline Waukesha’s Oktoberfest on Sat., Sept.21, 2024 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Frame Park. The band hails from Vancouver, Canada and will be making their inaugural Wisconsin stop in Waukesha.
“We are thrilled to host the internationally touring band, ‘The Dreadnoughts’ at Waukesha’s Oktoberfest” said special event coordinator Joanna Adamicki. “We have an amazing line-up for Oktoberfest weekend, and The Dreadnoughts will bring an exciting twist on a wide range of European folk music.”
According to the band, “The Dreadnoughts aren’t really a band, they’re an advocacy group, relentlessly promoting the idea that polka and punk music form a perfect union. Where too many bands sprinkle traditional folk instruments into their sound as a kind of gimmick, the Dreadnoughts dig deep into folk traditions, unearthing the raw power of polkas, waltzes, klezmer dances, Irish jigs and sea shanties, and playing them as they are meant to be
played. All backed by the gut-punching raw power of modern street punk.”
Additional performers and bands include: The 484 Army Band, Copper Box: The Oktoberfest Experience, D’Oberllandler, The Squeezettes, Glockenspiel, and Muller Fasching Verein Nordamerica.
New This Year in 2024:
In addition to great food, music and fun, be sure to check out:
- The Glockenspiel
- A Glockenspiel clock has figures that move around the clock on the hour and reenact a local tradition to music. Waukesha’s Oktoberfest Glockenspiel will pop out of the clock at 6 and 8 pm on Friday and at 2, 4 and 6 pm on Saturday. Don’t miss it!
- The Dreadnoughts
- Be sure to check out the internationally performing band The Dreadnoughts as they “dig deep into folk traditions, unearthing the raw power of polkas, waltzes, klezmer dances and playing they as they are meant to be played. All backed by the gut-punching, raw power of modern street punk.” Ready for some fun?
Register for the Das Bags Tourney
Grab a partner and register for the Oktoberfest version of cornhole, the Das Bags Tourney at Oktoberfest. Teams of two register for this double elimination tournament at http://apm.activecommunities.com/waukeshaprf/Activity_Search/13818 starting Friday, August 16. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place teams. Fee is $40 per team.
How Waukesha Oktoberfest benefits community organizations:
- Event is FREE but a $2 wristband is required for alcohol purchase and consumption. Proceeds benefit local organizations.
- Beer Sales benefit Waukesha Kiwanis Early Risers
- T-shirt sales benefit Waukesha Police Explorers
- Brat sales benefit the Waukesha Police Academy
- Sprecher ambulance concession sales benefit Waukesha Rotary
- Interested in volunteering for this event? Contact April Dethloff, Volunteer Coordinator, 262-524-3709
Parking Areas:
- Frame Park, 1150 Frame Park Drive
- Schuetze Recreation Center, 1120 Baxter Street
- Frame Park Playground & Formal Gardens Lots, Frame Park Drive (Enter from Moreland Blvd)
- East Alternative School, 1150 White Rock Avenue
- Street Parking is also available in the area
FREE Shuttle courtesy of FirstStudent:
Oktoberfest Shuttles (complimentary) will be available!
Shuttle runs continuously:
Take the FREE Shuttle Saturday, 2 pm to 10 pm from this location:
- Waukesha County Courthouse (515 Moreland Blvd)
- Pick-up/drop-off every 15 minutes. Final pick up from Frame Park at 10:00 p.m.
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Please be aware that dogs are prohibited in City parks, unless otherwise designated.
Alcohol purchase and consumption is restricted to adults 21 and older.
Alcohol must remain in the Oktoberfest area at all times.
Smoking or vaping of any kind is prohibited in tents.
Can I bring a bag? Water? Food? My own beer?
Yes, yes, yes, and NO.
- There are no bag restrictions
- You are welcome bring your own water
- You can certainly bring in your own food, but why? We have some amazing food options and several service groups working hard to bring you great food, make some money, and support the community while they work to make your Oktoberfest experience fun
- Sorry, no carry-ins of alcohol per ordinance 11.27(4). Please purchase your beer from the designated concessions stands to help support Oktoberfest and keep entrance to the event free of charge.
Do you sell food at Oktoberfest?
For more information Call the City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Dept. at 262-524-3737.
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