Although we may not be Munich, us Winstonians know how to throw a great party. Case in point: Oktoberfest. The German festival runs from Saturday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 6, and our city parties the whole time.
Oktoberfest celebrates the marriage of the Baravian crown prince in 1810. Festivities include beers, music, dancing, and contests. Save that plane ticket and prost to the German celebration in Winston-Salem.
Saturday, Sept. 21
- Piedmont Wind Symphony Oktoberfest | 1 p.m. | Coal Pit | Free | Enjoy an afternoon filled with toe-tapping tunes from the German band, paired with the festive flavors of traditional German beers and brats.
- Fiddlin’ Fish Oktoberfest | 12-11 p.m. | Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Select from a range of German style beer releases, partake in stein holding contests, barrel race, and a pretzel toss.
- Joytoberfest Winston | 12 p.m.-11:55 p.m. | Joymongers Barrel Hall | Cost of purchase | Groove to the beat of the live music, join an unofficial stein holding contest, and scout the limited release Oktoberfest lager.
- Wise Man Oktoberfest | 12 p.m.-12 a.m. | Wise Man Brewing | Cost of purchase | Test your Germanic knowledge in the German spelling bee, join in the dance contest, and try out German-inspired dishes.
- Radar Brewing Oktoberfest | 5-9 p.m. | Radar Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Try out the seasonal Oktoberfest brew and Spice Runner Pumpkin Pie Spice Ale, then listen to solo acoustic performer Darrell Hoots perform music live.
Saturday, Sept. 28
- Oktoberfest bar crawl | 4-11 p.m. | Broad Branch Bar | Cost of purchase | Raise your stein and toast to new connections and old friends while hopping from one bar to the next — celebrating the German tradition with beer, Bavarian flags, and pretzels.
Saturday, Oct. 5
- Kernersville Oktoberfest | 3-6 p.m. | Körner’s Folly, Kernersville | $40 | Get a taste of German + pumpkin brews and small tasty bites. Afterwards, take a tour of the historic house, and commemorate it with a souvenir tasting glass.