It’s finally here! The entire La Crosse Region plus 100,000 excited Oktoberfest-loving travelers are making the journey to FEST with the BEST! Ranked & named #3 Best Oktoberfest in the U.S. by the TastingTable, you’ll be happy you’re celebrating with one of the largest Oktoberfest in the Midwest!
Whether this is your 1st or 61st Oktoberfest the three-day celebration is both thrilling and a tad overwhelming; we’re here to give you some tips on how to have fun and safe Oktoberfest. Note the Downtown Festgrounds are open to all, but you must be 21+ to enter the Altra Federal Credit Union Festplatz. The Maple Leaf Parade and other events are for festers of ALL ages! And don’t miss the carnival at Copeland Park!
Guide to Oktoberfest 61!
Must See Events
Downtown Festground tickets: $20 three-day pass
Day 1 : Thursday, September 29th
7–9 am SENIOR BREAKFAST | Morrie’s Heritage Hofbräu Haus – Downtown Fest Grounds *Free Admission
11 am–2:30 pm SPECIAL FESTER CARNIVAL | Northside La Crosse
4 pm -11 pm DOWNTOWN FEST GROUNDS OPEN | $20 three-day general admission | $100 single ticket VIP | $200 double ticket VIP
4 pm –9:30 pm CARNIVAL | Northside La Crosse – Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors!
4 pm–8:30 pm CRAFT BEER NIGHT | Downtown Fest Grounds – $90 VIP 4 pm | $60 General Admission 5 pm Sample from more than 20 craft breweries
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–11 pm TORCHLIGHT AFTER GLOW BASH | Copeland Park – Loggers Field – Free admission and families welcome
8 pm-11 pm STUDENT NIGHT | Downtown Fest Grounds | Free admission for students 21+ with a valid college student ID.
Day 2 : Friday, September 30th
9:30 am–midnight DOWNTOWN FEST GROUNDS OPEN | $20 three-day general admission | $100 single ticket VIP | $200 double ticket VIP
10 am STEIN HOLDING FINALS | Garden Stage
11 am OPENING CEREMONY | Garden Stage – The much-anticipated tapping of the Sam Adams Golden Keg
2–4 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
4–9:30 pm CARNIVAL | Northside La Crosse Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors!
Day 3 : Saturday, October 1st
7:30 am YMCA MAPLE LEAF WALK RUN | Riverside Park *Pre-registration required
10 am MAPLE LEAF PARADE | Northside to Downtown
11 am-midnight DOWNTOWN FESTGROUNDS OPEN
11 am–10 pm CARNIVAL | Northside La Crosse | Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors!
2–4 pm LEDERHOSEN GAMES | Garden Stage Area
9 pm 61ST OKTOBERFEST FIREWORKS CELEBRATION | Downtown fest grounds
Day 4 : Sunday, October 2nd
7:30–11 am PARADE MARSHAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Terry Erickson Boys & Girls Club of La Crosse
10 am ECUMENICAL SERVICE | Trinity Lutheran Church | 1010 Sill Street La Crosse
11 am–5 pm CARNIVAL | Northside La Crosse
11 am BRATS FOR SENIORS
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!”
