Dust off your dirndl, lace up your lederhosen, and maybe even accessorize them with some cowboy boots! Germany and Texas collide when the seventh annual Oktoberfest Fort Worth takes place Thursday, Sept. 23 through Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at The Shack at Panther Island Pavilion. There’s a large indoor bier hall, outdoor biergartens and tents, food, music, dancing, German games, and a whole lot more.
What’s Oktoberfest All About?
Mostly, it’s about beer (or “bier,” if you’re fully immersed in your German folk cosplay). You can enjoy the traditional Spaten, originally brewed in Munich, Germany, and sample a variety of other seasonal and Oktoberfest craft beer from around the country. Try some traditional German food like schnitzel, sausage, Bavarian soft pretzel, strudel, kasebrett (cheeseboard), and more. There are various vendors throughout the festival grounds, plus an air-conditioned table service restaurant called Reata Haus, which serves authentic German cuisine and also includes a wine bar.
Oom Pah Pah – The Musik of Oktoberfest
You’ll be entertained throughout the event by traditional German music on the stages in the beer hall and the two tents, including the obligatory piano accordion and polka bands. The lineup includes the Alex Meixner Band, Alpenmusikanten, The Chardon Polka Band, Das Ist Lustig, and more. There’s also German folk dancing by the Keine Kunst Folk Dance Troupe.
Lots More Fun
If you’re not a fan of beer (gasp!) or you’re the designated driver for your crew, there’s plenty more to see and do. Experience Oktoberfest traditions like the tapping of the kegs ceremony, and take part in the stein hoisting competition. Own a dachshund? Sign your pup up for Saturday’s Dachshund Dash and Parade. There are several other competitions and activities throughout the weekend, a market selling German clothing and souvenirs, and a Midway with all the rides, games, and carnival food you love. And if you need to work off all those calories, there’s the Oktoberfest Run Und Ride – a 20-mile bike ride, and 10K, 5K, or 1K fun run on Saturday morning.
Times & Tickets
Oktoberfest Fort Worth 2021 runs from 5 to 11 PM Thursday and Friday, and 11 AM to midnight Saturday. Tickets cost $5 for Thursday, and $10 each for Friday and Saturday, or you can purchase a three-day pass for $15. Tickets are available at the gate and online, and online purchases by Sept. 22 will receive a free commemorative 2021 stein. Children under 12 years of age are free with a paying adult and event parking costs $10 per vehicle.
So as they say on the Oktoberfest Fort Worth website: achtung, ya’ll! Hurry and get your tickets and enjoy this fun event before it’s time to switch to pumpkin spice lattes. For more updates and recommendations on local happenings, check out the other blog posts from Olympus 7th Street Station.