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!

Whether this is your 1st or 60th Oktoberfest the four-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 that you must be 21+ to enter the Downtown Festgrounds, but don’t worry the Northside Festgrounds, Maple Parade and other events are for festers of ALL ages!

Guide to Oktoberfest 60!

Must See Events

Downtown Festground tickets: $10 single-day admission or $20 three-day pass

Day 1 : Thursday, September 30th

7–9 am SENIOR BREAKFAST | Morrie’s Heritage Hofbräu Haus – Downtown Festgrounds

11 am–2 pm LEDERHOSEN LUNCH | Downtown Grounds Enjoy Downtown Oktoberfest Grounds admission-free and sample the many varieties of cuisine available from all vendors

11 am–2:30 pm SPECIAL FESTER CARNIVAL | Northside Family Festgrounds

4-11 pm DOWNTOWN FESTGROUNDS OPEN

4–9 pm NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors

4-8 pm CRAFT BEER NIGHT | Downtown Festgrounds (additional tickets needed)

6 pm CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT | Downtown Festgrounds

7 pm TORCHLIGHT PARADE | Northside La Crosse

7–11 pm TORCHLIGHT AFTER GLOW PARTY | Copeland Park – Loggers Field

9 pm 60TH OKTOBERFEST FIREWORKS CELEBRATION | Downtown Festgrounds

Day 2 : Friday, October 1st

8 am-midnight DOWNTOWN FESTGROUNDS OPEN

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 | Heritage Tent

4–9 pm NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN

Day 3 : Saturday, October 2nd

7:30 am YMCA MAPLE LEAF WALK RUN | Riverside Park

10 am MAPLE LEAF PARADE | Northside to Downtown

11 am-midnight DOWNTOWN FESTGROUNDS OPEN

11 am–9 pm NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN

2–4 pm LEDERHOSEN GAMES | Garden Stage Area

9 pm 60TH OKTOBERFEST FIREWORKS CELEBRATION | Downtown Festgrounds

Day 4 : Sunday, October 3rd

7:30–11 am PARADE MARSHAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Terry Erickson Boys & Girls Club of La Crosse

11 am–4 pm NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN

11 am BRATS FOR SENIORS

1–5 pm 60TH OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION LUNCH + DANCE | Concordia Ballroom

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!”