It’s finally here! Whether it’s your first or your 65th Oktoberfest USA, the celebration brings autumn energy to the La Crosse Region with festive parades, German traditions, and crisp fall fun. From the Downtown Festgrounds to the family-friendly Maple Leaf Parade and carnival at Veteran’s Freedom Park, there’s something for everyone. With the bluffs glowing in color and the season in full swing, Oktoberfest is the perfect way to celebrate fall along the Mississippi.
Guide to Oktoberfest 65!
Must See Events
General Admission tickets: $25 three-day pass
Day 1 : Thursday, September 24th, 2026
7 am – 9:00 am SENIOR BREAKFAST | News 8 Now Heritage Hofbräu Haus – Downtown Fest Grounds *No admission wristband required.
11 am – 2:00 pm SPECIAL FESTER CARNIVAL | TBD
4 pm -12:00 am DOWNTOWN FEST GROUNDS OPEN | $25 three-day general admission | Free admission Thursday only with a valid college student ID |Craft Beer Night tickets sold separately.
4 pm – 12:00 am STUDENT NIGHT | Downtown Fest Grounds | Free admission for students 21+ with a valid college student ID.
4 pm – 8:00 pm CRAFT BEER NIGHT | Downtown Fest Grounds – Sample from more than 20 craft breweries! *Oktoberfest Admission Wristband & Craft Beer Night Ticket Package Required.
5 pm – 9:00 pm CARNIVAL | TBD – Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors! *No admission wristband required. Admission wristband for Carnival required.
5 pm – 7:00pm LEDERHOSEN GAMES | Garden Stage Area – Fest Grounds *Oktoberfest wristband required to enter Fest Grounds | Stein races, stein holdings, barrel roll, grain toss, Schokoladessen and scavenger hunt | Play games, have fun and win prizes
7 pm TORCHLIGHT PARADE | Northside La Crosse – Kane & Gillette Streets to Clinton Street | Find more details on the route map and lineup here!
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm TORCHLIGHT AFTER GLOW BASH | Copeland Park – Loggers Field – Free admission and families welcome. *No admission wristband required.
Day 2 : Friday, September 25th, 2026
9:30 am – 12:00 am DOWNTOWN FEST GROUNDS OPEN | $25 three-day general admission required
10 am STEIN HOLDING FINALS | The Remainders Garden Stage – Fest Grounds *Oktoberfest admission pass required to enter Fest Grounds.
11 am OPENING CEREMONY – TAPPING OF THE GOLDEN KEG | The Remainders Garden Stage – The much-anticipated tapping of the Sam Adams Golden Keg *Oktoberfest admission pass required to enter Fest Grounds.
2 pm – 4:00 pm LEDERHOSEN GAMES | Garden Stage Area | Stein races, stein holdings, barrel roll, grain toss, Schokolade essen and scavenger hunt | Play games, have fun and win prizes *Oktoberfest admission pass required to enter Fest Grounds.
4 – 9:00 pm CARNIVAL | TBD – Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors! *No admission pass required. Carnival ride tickets available on site and online.
Day 3 : Saturday, September 26th, 2026
7 am YMCA MAPLE LEAF WALK RUN | Riverside Park *Pre-registration required | Half marathon, 5-mile run, 5k walk and Kid’s Maple Mile.
10 am MAPLE LEAF PARADE | Northside to Downtown | Find more details on the route map and lineup here!
11 am – 12:00 am DOWNTOWN FESTGROUNDS OPEN | $25 three-day general admission required
12 pm – 9:00 pm CARNIVAL | TBD | Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors! *No admission wristband required. Carnival ride tickets available on site.
2 pm – 4:00 pm LEDERHOSEN GAMES | Garden Stage Area *Oktoberfest admission wristband required to enter Fest Grounds | Stein races, stein holdings, barrel roll, grain toss, Schokolade essen and scavenger hunt | Play games, have fun and win prizes.
9 pm 65TH OKTOBERFEST FIREWORKS CELEBRATION | Downtown fest grounds *Oktoberfest admission pass required to enter Fest Grounds.
Day 4 : Sunday, September 27th, 2026
7:30 – 11 am PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Harry J Olson Senior Center – 1607 North St, La Crosse, WI 54603 – Pancakes, sausages, juice, milk and coffee. *Tickets are $7 and will be available in advance from former parade marshals or at the door. Children 6 and under are free.
9:00 am ECUMENICAL SERVICE | Blessed Sacrament Church (130 Losey Blvd South)
11 am – 6 pm FEST GROUNDS OPEN – FREE ADMISSION! | *No admission wristband required. Festing fun for the whole family! Starting with an opening ceremony with root beer provided by Rudy’s at 11:20 in the News 8 Now Heritage Hofbräu Haus, face painting, a chalk contest, vendors, music, and more!
11:30 am – 4:30 pm FACE PAINTING AND FOAM PARTY | Fest Grounds | Free face painting and foam party
11 am BRATS FOR SENIORS | Delivery of Fest brats and Gemütlichkeit to residents in our City of La Crosse housing facilities
12 pm PARADE AWARD CEREMONY | News 8 Now Heritage Hofbräu Haus | Help us recognize the 2026 Torchlight & Maple Leaf Parade award winners. We’re bringing gemütlichkeit to the streets with the brand-new People’s Choice Award at this year’s Oktoberfest Parades! For the first time ever, parade-goers get to vote for their favorite float and one lucky entry will take home the ultimate fan-voted prize!
What to Wear
The lederhosen leather shorts are Traditionally worn by the royal family and grenadier corps as well as the dirndl a dress style with a tight bodice, short sleeves, low neck, and gathered skirt. Be careful how you tie your apron, ladies. The apron bow lets everybody know your marital status and availability. Tie it on the right-hand side if you’re taken or left if you’re single.
If you’re not feeling the German traditional threads, TJ’s Cheedarheads Gift Gallery has an array of the perfect testing shirts to pick up before you hit the grounds!
Raise a Stein & Prost
Oktoberfest originates from Munich Germany in the 19th century and was celebrated for the first time in the La Crosse Region in 1961. Now this decade-long festival brings together our community in celebration of new and old traditions for years to come! back sure to brush up on our favorite german drinking song, —with the handy guide you won’t miss an “Ein!” or a “Drei!”
