Oktober-festivities
Oktoberfest Hot Glass Experience
Work one on one with a hot glass instructor to create your own piece of art from molten glass – choose between a pumpkin or a sleeping kitty. Ages 6 and up, no experience necessary. Pieces need 48 hours to cool, and participants need to return to the festival to pick up their work or to have it shipped directly, pay a shipping charge.
20-minute time slots are available every day of Oktoberfest starting at 5 p.m. on Fridays and noon Saturdays and Sundays. Please arrive 10 minutes before your time slot.
Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K
October 4, 2026
In partnership with Run Lehigh Valley, we are bringing you a fantastic 5K experience!
Ja! Every runner receives an official race t-shirt –> long-sleeved women’s and unisex shirts available (Last day to register in order to guarantee a shirt is September 18th, 2026)
Ja! Every runner receives a mug of delicious Yuengling Oktoberfest at the end of the race, we don’t skimp, 22 oz (we’ll have root beer too)!
Ja! Every runner receives a custom finisher medal (guaranteed for first 1,000 to register)
Ja! Every runner receives a customized race bib (guaranteed if registered by 9/12)
Ja! Every runner receives the admiration and respect of their peers who didn’t participate in this literal race for beer!
Wiener Dog Races
On your bark! Get set! Register! The annual running of the wiener dogs is back at Oktoberfest. Join in the festivities at the Oktoberfest Arena by registering your fast, four-legged friends in the unforgettable Wiener Dog races. Purebreds, Dachshund mixes and wiener dogs at heart under 25 lbs. are welcome. Races are held both weekends, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays with an additional race on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
Oktoberfest Pup Parade
Every Saturday and Sunday
Pups of all kinds are invited to don their favorite costume or simply trot as they are for the chance to be elected President or Chancellor of the Oktoberfest Pup Parade! There will be prizes and there will be adorableness. The parade is free to participate, and no pre-registration is required. You can sign up your dog on the day of the parade beginning at 12pm at the Oktoberfest Arena.
Food & Beer
Yuengling Oktoberfest Beer Dinner
October 3, 2026
Four courses paired with 6oz pours of four different Yuengling beers
Buy Tickets
Oktoberfest Bourbon Tasting with Matthew Peters
October 10, 2026
Sample eight uncommon and unique bourbons, focusing on cask strength bourbons, paired with delicious bites from Levy Restaurants Executive Chef, Julie Marble.
Buy TicketsThe Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition
October 11, 2026
You could win $250 if you’re the first person to eat 10 Karl Ehmer brats. The rules are simple:
- Each contestant will have 10 Karl Ehmer brats (no buns) in front of them
- The first contestant to finish all 10 – and keep them down for two minutes after finishing – wins!
- All contestants must be 18 or older on the day of the competition.
Registrations are $10
The Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championship
Our champions in the men’s and women’s competitions will win an official stein, the glory of being able to say they’re Pennsylvania’s best, and a trip to the 2026 Steinholding Nationals provided by the US Steinholding Association.
How do you get to the finals? There are two ways:
1) Participate in our State Championship Qualifier Competition on October 5 at 6pm in the Oktoberfest Arena. The participants with the top times will move on to the finals!
You must register in advance to participate in the Qualifier Competition. To do so, please fill out the form here.
2) The US Steinholding Assocation has partnered with breweries, bars, and festivals across the commonwealth to host qualifier competitions. The list of venues doing so is here.
While we’ll have a lot of fun, steinholding is serious business with a set of rules we’d recommend you brush up on before participating. Prost!
Oktoberfest Karaoke with Notorious S.Y.D.
Don’t miss the karaoke fun at the Oktoberfest! You can sing your heart out on Friday, October 2nd and Friday, October 9th from 8pm-10pm with The Notorious S.Y.D!
Künstler Markt
Künstler Markt features different vendors showcasing German-themed merchandise, as well as more eclectic offerings from around the country.
Vendors:
Remi Threadz
Sunflower Trading Company
Scentsy
Peppers of Key West
Laura’s Raw Honey
Chocolate Moonshine Company
True Honey Teas
Pittston Popcorn Co.
Keystone Farms Cheese
Hillbillys Jerky
Hometown Spark Permanent Jewelry
Celtic Vibe
Whisker Biscuits
Live Music and Entertainment
It wouldn’t be an ArtsQuest event without live music! Between our four biergartens – Hofbräu Biergarten, Samuel Adams/Dogfish Head Biergarten, Spaten Biergarten and Yuengling Biergarten – we’re hosting can’t miss performances from bands Fritz’s Polka Band, Polkadelphia, South Penn Dixie Trio, Zaire, Sam Houseal Band, Bavarian Kings, Schützengiggles Oompah Band and many more. Not to mention the Schuhplattler performances by GTV Almrausch, GTEV D’Lustigen Isartaler and Almrausch Altoona.
