1 Oktoberfest Strasse, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
It’s one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the country! La Crosse Oktoberfest celebrates 60 years in 2021, having hosted its first big Oktoberfest back in 1961. This time of year both Munich and La Crosse are filled with “merrymaking” and a carnival atmosphere known in both cities as Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest, USA, is one of the few authentic Old World folk festivals held annually in the United States. You’ll find plenty of beer, music, fun, food, lederhosen, dirndls, and more complemented with a carnival featuring rides, parades featuring the annually-elected “Royal Family,” the 2021 Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest Pageant, and enough accordions and Munich-style tents to make you feel like you’re in Deutschland.
Downtown Fest Grounds open at 4pm on Thursday, September 30th. The Torchlight Parade will take place at 7pm that evening; Craft Beer Night starts at 4pm and runs until 8pm. For $60 admission, the FestZelt tent will feature over 20 craft brewers and their products – and you can sample ’em all! There’s also a Cornhole Tournament and fireworks – and that’s all on opening night!
The La Crosse Oktoberfest Parade, held Thursday.
Friday night October 1st has the Festmaster Ball at the La Crosse Center’s South Hall, where the Festmaster and Frau will be introduced.
Other events include wiener dog races, live music, special German dinners, Lederhosen Games, and more. Get the latest events list here!
Find out more about this year’s Oktoberfest with State Trunk Tour founder Eric Paulsen, who discusses this as co-host of The Cabin, Discover Wisconsin’s official podcast:
TICKETS Single day admission:
Thursday, Sept. 30 – $10 (starting at 4pm)
Friday, Oct. 1 – $15 (all day)
Saturday, Oct. 2 – $15 (all day)
Sunday, Oct. 3 – FREE (all day)
You can buy a 3-Day Pass for only $20, which gets you in for the whole fest
Children 12 and Under Admitted Free
A number of Oktoberfest events require additional ticketed admission. Tickets for most events are available from the Oktoberfest Online Store or at the Oktoberfest office.
La Crosse Oktoberfest USA is a great time in a true beer town. La Crosse is easily reached via U.S. 14, 53, or 61; I-90; and Highways 16, 33, and 35. The drive to and from is gorgeous too, especially at this time of the year!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
7–9 am: SENIOR BREAKFAST | Morrie’s Heritage Hofbräu Haus – Downtown Festgrounds
Free Admission! Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, juice. Featuring music and entertainment from Dr. Rock
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, $10 single-day admission or $20 three-day pass
4–9 pm: NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN, Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors
4–8 pm: CRAFT BEER NIGHT | Downtown Festgrounds
$90 VIP 4 pm | $60 General Admission, 5 pm. Sample from more than 20 craft breweries.
6 pm: CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT | Downtown Festgrounds
Registration 5–5:45 pm | $30 per 2-person team | Open to all ages | Admission pass required to play
7 pm: TORCHLIGHT PARADE | Northside La Crosse, Kane & Gillette Streets to Clinton Street
7–11 pm: TORCHLIGHT AFTER GLOW PARTY | Copeland Park – Loggers Field
Free admission and families welcome! Kick off your Oktoberfest on the Northside with The Swing Crew
Thursday’s Live Music
MORRIE’S HERITAGE HOFBRÄU HAUS
7–9 am DR. ROCK
11 am–2 pm RICHIE YUKOVICH & POLKARIOTY
KAPLAN FESTPLATZ
8–10:30 pm BOY BAND NIGHT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1
Hours: 8 am–midnight
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
Stein races, stein holdings, barrel roll, grain toss, Schokolade essen and scavenger hunt | Play games, have fun and win prizes
4–9 pm: NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN
Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors ($30 wristband night at the carnival)
Live Music:
KAPLAN FESTPLATZ
11:30 am–2:30 pm SWING CREW
3–5:30 pm PAT MCCURDY
6–9 pm SHIRTS AND SKINS
9:30 pm–midnight JUNK FM
GARDEN STAGE
11:30 am–2 pm JIM BUSTA
2:30–4:30 pm OKTOBERFEST SINGERS
5–7 pm CHRIS KROEZE
7:30–10:30 pm COYOTE WILD
MORRIE’S HERITAGE HOFBRÄU HAUS
8–10:30 am BRIAN BRUEGGEN & THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUTCHMEN
2–4:30 pm THE BOCKFEST BOYS
5–7:30 pm RICHIE YUKOVICH & POLKARIOTY
8–10 pm GARY BRUEGGEN & THE RIDGELAND DUTCHMAN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
7:30 am: YMCA MAPLE LEAF WALK RUN | Riverside Park
Pre-registration required. Half marathon, 5-mile run, 5k walk and Kid’s Maple Mile. More Info
10 am: MAPLE LEAF PARADE | Northside to Downtown
11 am–midnight: DOWNTOWN FESTGROUNDS OPEN
$15 single-day admission or $20 three-day pass
Live Music
KAPLAN FESTPLATZ
2–5 pm SWEET SIREN
6–9 pm FLASH MOB
9:30 pm–midnight SOME SH$TTY COVER BAND
GARDEN STAGE
2–4:30 pm THE HONEYGOATS
5:30–7:30 pm PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
8–10 pm THE REMAINDERS
MORRIE’S HERITAGE HOFBRÄU HAUS
2–4:30 pm BRIAN BRUEGGEN & THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUTCHMEN
2–7 pm POLKA INSTRUCTION
5–7:30 pm GARY BRUEGGEN & THE RIDGELAND DUTCHMAN
8–10:30 pm THE BOCKFEST BOYS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3
7:30–11 am: PARADE MARSHAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Terry Erickson Boys & Girls Club of La Crosse
$5 includes meal | Tickets available in advance from a Parade Marshal, at the Boys & Girls Club or at the gate day of event
10 am: ECUMENICAL SERVICE | North Presbyterian Church
11 am–4 pm: NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN
11 am: BRATS FOR SENIORS, delivery of Fest brats and Gemütlichkeit to residents in our City of La Crosse housing facilities
1–5 pm: 60TH OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION LUNCH + DANCE | Concordia Ballroom
Brat Lunch + Dessert Sold On-Site | Dance 1-5 pm | Ryan Herman + the Rhythum Playboys | Tickets $10 | Available day-of only at Concordia Ballroom
Calendar of Events
La Crosse Oktoberfest
« Back to EventsOktoberfest, USA, is one of the few authentic Old World folk festivals held annually in the United States. You’ll find plenty of beer, music, fun, food, lederhosen, dirndls, and more complemented with a carnival featuring rides, parades featuring the annually-elected “Royal Family,” the 2021 Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest Pageant, and enough accordions and Munich-style tents to make you feel like you’re in Deutschland.
Downtown Fest Grounds open at 4pm on Thursday, September 30th. The Torchlight Parade will take place at 7pm that evening; Craft Beer Night starts at 4pm and runs until 8pm. For $60 admission, the FestZelt tent will feature over 20 craft brewers and their products – and you can sample ’em all! There’s also a Cornhole Tournament and fireworks – and that’s all on opening night!
Friday night October 1st has the Festmaster Ball at the La Crosse Center’s South Hall, where the Festmaster and Frau will be introduced.
Other events include wiener dog races, live music, special German dinners, Lederhosen Games, and more. Get the latest events list here!
Find out more about this year’s Oktoberfest with State Trunk Tour founder Eric Paulsen, who discusses this as co-host of The Cabin, Discover Wisconsin’s official podcast:
TICKETS
Single day admission:
Thursday, Sept. 30 – $10 (starting at 4pm)
Friday, Oct. 1 – $15 (all day)
Saturday, Oct. 2 – $15 (all day)
Sunday, Oct. 3 – FREE (all day)
You can buy a 3-Day Pass for only $20, which gets you in for the whole fest
Children 12 and Under Admitted Free
A number of Oktoberfest events require additional ticketed admission. Tickets for most events are available from the Oktoberfest Online Store or at the Oktoberfest office.
La Crosse Oktoberfest USA is a great time in a true beer town. La Crosse is easily reached via U.S. 14, 53, or 61; I-90; and Highways 16, 33, and 35. The drive to and from is gorgeous too, especially at this time of the year!
Check the La Crosse Oktoberfest USA website for additional details!
La Crosse Oktoberfest Schedule of Events:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
7–9 am: SENIOR BREAKFAST | Morrie’s Heritage Hofbräu Haus – Downtown Festgrounds
Free Admission! Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, juice. Featuring music and entertainment from Dr. Rock
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, $10 single-day admission or $20 three-day pass
4–9 pm: NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN, Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors
4–8 pm: CRAFT BEER NIGHT | Downtown Festgrounds
$90 VIP 4 pm | $60 General Admission, 5 pm. Sample from more than 20 craft breweries.
6 pm: CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT | Downtown Festgrounds
Registration 5–5:45 pm | $30 per 2-person team | Open to all ages | Admission pass required to play
7 pm: TORCHLIGHT PARADE | Northside La Crosse, Kane & Gillette Streets to Clinton Street
7–11 pm: TORCHLIGHT AFTER GLOW PARTY | Copeland Park – Loggers Field
Free admission and families welcome! Kick off your Oktoberfest on the Northside with The Swing Crew
9 pm: 60TH OKTOBERFEST FIREWORKS CELEBRATION | Downtown Festgrounds
Thursday’s Live Music
MORRIE’S HERITAGE HOFBRÄU HAUS
7–9 am DR. ROCK
11 am–2 pm RICHIE YUKOVICH & POLKARIOTY
KAPLAN FESTPLATZ
8–10:30 pm BOY BAND NIGHT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1
Hours: 8 am–midnight
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
Stein races, stein holdings, barrel roll, grain toss, Schokolade essen and scavenger hunt | Play games, have fun and win prizes
4–9 pm: NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN
Fest fun with carnival rides and food vendors ($30 wristband night at the carnival)
Live Music:
KAPLAN FESTPLATZ
11:30 am–2:30 pm SWING CREW
3–5:30 pm PAT MCCURDY
6–9 pm SHIRTS AND SKINS
9:30 pm–midnight JUNK FM
GARDEN STAGE
11:30 am–2 pm JIM BUSTA
2:30–4:30 pm OKTOBERFEST SINGERS
5–7 pm CHRIS KROEZE
7:30–10:30 pm COYOTE WILD
MORRIE’S HERITAGE HOFBRÄU HAUS
8–10:30 am BRIAN BRUEGGEN & THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUTCHMEN
2–4:30 pm THE BOCKFEST BOYS
5–7:30 pm RICHIE YUKOVICH & POLKARIOTY
8–10 pm GARY BRUEGGEN & THE RIDGELAND DUTCHMAN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
7:30 am: YMCA MAPLE LEAF WALK RUN | Riverside Park
Pre-registration required. Half marathon, 5-mile run, 5k walk and Kid’s Maple Mile. More Info
10 am: MAPLE LEAF PARADE | Northside to Downtown
11 am–midnight: DOWNTOWN FESTGROUNDS OPEN
$15 single-day admission or $20 three-day pass
11 am–9 pm: NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN
2–4 pm: LEDERHOSEN GAMES | Garden Stage Area
9 pm: 60TH OKTOBERFEST FIREWORKS CELEBRATION | Downtown Festgrounds
Live Music
KAPLAN FESTPLATZ
2–5 pm SWEET SIREN
6–9 pm FLASH MOB
9:30 pm–midnight SOME SH$TTY COVER BAND
GARDEN STAGE
2–4:30 pm THE HONEYGOATS
5:30–7:30 pm PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
8–10 pm THE REMAINDERS
MORRIE’S HERITAGE HOFBRÄU HAUS
2–4:30 pm BRIAN BRUEGGEN & THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUTCHMEN
2–7 pm POLKA INSTRUCTION
5–7:30 pm GARY BRUEGGEN & THE RIDGELAND DUTCHMAN
8–10:30 pm THE BOCKFEST BOYS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3
7:30–11 am: PARADE MARSHAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Terry Erickson Boys & Girls Club of La Crosse
$5 includes meal | Tickets available in advance from a Parade Marshal, at the Boys & Girls Club or at the gate day of event
10 am: ECUMENICAL SERVICE | North Presbyterian Church
11 am–4 pm: NORTHSIDE FAMILY FESTGROUNDS OPEN
11 am: BRATS FOR SENIORS, delivery of Fest brats and Gemütlichkeit to residents in our City of La Crosse housing facilities
1–5 pm: 60TH OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION LUNCH + DANCE | Concordia Ballroom
Brat Lunch + Dessert Sold On-Site | Dance 1-5 pm | Ryan Herman + the Rhythum Playboys | Tickets $10 | Available day-of only at Concordia Ballroom
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