Oktober-festivities
What’s an Oktoberfest without some fest? Technically, it’s just Oktober… but we wanted to make sure it’s way more than that, so we’ve designed some delightful activities, scratch that — make it Oktober-festivities — for you and yours to partake in. Fun!
Daily Happenings at Oktoberfest
Free Games
Spielplatz & Biergartens
Our Oktoberfest wouldn’t be complete without a smattering of whimsical games that you probably wouldn’t play anywhere but at an Oktoberfest! Check your inhibitions at the door and celebrate the harvest with our crazy fun games and challenges! Games are FREE to play.
- Steinholding presented by Samuel Adams – Held for the first 30 minutes of every hour throughout the festival, you can test your strength by seeing how long you can hold a full stein of beer in front of you!
If you think you’ve got what it takes to participate in the , presented in partnership with the US Steinholding Association, then you should register for our Qualifier Competition by filling out the form here. The Qualifier Competition will be held on Oct. 7 at 6pm and the Championships are Oct. 14 at 7:15 pm; our champions will win $500 each!
Artists Market
Künstler Markt
Künstler Markt features different vendors showcasing German-themed merchandise, as well as more eclectic offerings from around the country.
Glassblowing Demonstrations & Hot Glass Experiences
Visit the talented artists of the ArtsQuest Glass Studio at the Banana Factory Arts Center as they demonstrate how to transform molten glass into amazing art. Beautiful, hand-blown glass pumpkins, seasonal decorative glass items and other works of art are also available for purchase. Try your hand at making your own solid glass pumpkin or acorn ($65 each). Pre-registration is suggested; visit bananafactory.org to reserve your spot.
Oktoberfest Hot Glass Experience
Fridays | 5-9 p.m.
Saturdays | 12-8 p.m.
Sundays | 12-4 p.m.
Make a solid glass pumpkin or an acorn at Oktoberfest. Work one on one with ArtsQuest Glass staff to create a work of art. Glass pieces need to cool for about 24 hours, participants must return to either the festival or Banana Factory to pick up their work. Shipping arrangements can be made with an additional cost.
Friday, October 13
KARAOKE WITH ROYAL
Fri, Oct. 6 & Oct. 13 | 9-11 p.m.
Oktoberfest Arena at PNC Plaza
Join host, Royal Rehrig for two hours of karaoke fun at the Oktoberfest Arena!
Royal has been hosting Karaoke across the Lehigh Valley for 28 years! You can find him regularly at Brew Works, and at the The Vogue Lounge in Allentown.
THE OKTOBERFEST KONG PONG TOURNEY
Friday, October 13 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Oktoberfest Arena
This is a 21+ event.
Only one person from your duo needs to register
Grab a buddy and come play the blown-up version of your favorite party game! We’ll have 55 gallon “cups”, two dodgeballs and a $100 check for the duo that wins the tournament along with a Yuengling hat and cooler!
Music
Hofbräu Biergarten
6:30-8 p.m. | Fritz’s Polka Band
8:30 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
Samuel Adams/Dogfish Head Biergarten
5-6:30 p.m. | Polkadelphia
8-10 p.m.| Dina Hall Band
Spaten Biergarten
5:30-6:30 p.m. | Little Brass Band
7 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
8-9:30 p.m. | Tavern Tan
Yuengling Biergarten
6:30-8 p.m.| The Castaway Band
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks
presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network
7-9 p.m. | Flight Risk
Saturday, October 14
Brewers’ Village (Ages 21+)
Presented by The Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild
Musikfest Cafe
Saturday, October 14 | 2 & 6 p.m.
From German-style marzens to autumn-inspired pumpkin ales, the hand-crafted beers of Pennsylvania’s award-winning craft breweries take center stage as the Oktoberfest Brewers’ Village presented by the Lehigh Valley Brewers’ Guild returns for its seventh year. Guests enjoy a diverse array of Oktoberfest’s, limited-edition and seasonal offerings. All attendees receive a commemorative sampling mug and have the opportunity to meet the breweries’ staff and brewers, as well as enjoy the delicious food, fun and games of Oktoberfest, now in its thirteenth year. (All participants must be 21 and older).
General Admission
$35 | $30 ArtsQuest Members
$10 Designated Driver (Enjoy all the festivities with none of the alcohol!)
VIP
$55 | $50 ArtsQuest Member
$10 Designated Driver (Enjoy all the festivities with none of the alcohol!)
Pierogipalooza
Saturday, October 14 | 2-6 p.m.
SteelStacks Campus
Our celebration of your favorite filled dumplings returns with SIX incredible new flavors!
Your passport will get you six delectable pierogis.
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE STEINHOLDING CHAMPIONSHIP
Presented by Samuel Adams, produced in partnership with the US Steinholding Association
Semi-finals: Oct. 7, 6 p.m.
Finals: Oct. 14, 7:15 p.m.
ArtsQuest is partnering with the US Steinholding Association to once again host the Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championships!
Our winners in the men’s and women’s competitions will win $500 each, along with an official stein and the glory of being able to say they’re Pennsylvania’s best.
How do you get to the finals? There are two ways:
- Participate in our State Championship Qualifier Competition on October 7 at 6 p.m. 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. - 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!
Presented by
A Taste of Austria: A Wine, Liquor, and Food Pairing
Saturday, October 14 | 6 p.m.
This is a 21+ event.
ArtsQuest has partnered with our food partner Levy Restaurants and Easton-based Imported Enrichment to put together a mouth-watering culinary experience around liquor and wine imported directly from Austria during Oktoberfest 2023! Imported Enrichment Owner/Operator Eric Jacobs will be on hand to talk about his first-hand experience living in Austria and the stories behind the drinks and cuisine you’ll be tasting.
DRAGTOBERFEST
Saturday, October 14 | 8:30 p.m.
Fowler Blast Furnace Room
This is an 18+ event.
Former Miss Gay Pennsylvania Elektra Fearce St. James is back to direct one of our most enduring Oktoberfest traditions: Dragtoberfest! She’ll have a cast full of the region’s most talented queens ready to serve you with jaw-dropping performances on the Oktoberfest Arena stage.
Music
Hofbräu Biergarten
12-1:30 p.m. | Polkadelphia
2 p.m. | GTEV D’Lustigen Schuhplattlers
3-4 p.m. | Stephen Babcock
4:30-5:30 p.m. | Polkadelphia
7-8 p.m. | Polkadelphia
Samuel Adams/Dogfish Head Biergarten
12 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
1:30-3 p.m. | The Organization
3:15 p.m. | GTEV D’Lustigen Schuhplattlers
4:30 p.m. | GTEV D’Lustigen Schuhplattlers
5:30-7 p.m. | Reservoir Hill
8-9 p.m. | The BriTles
Spaten Biergarten
1 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
2-3 p.m. | Rock and a Hard Place
3:30 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
5:30-7 p.m. | Kelley, Ellis, Flynn
8-9 p.m. | DMC DUO
Yuengling Biergarten
12-1:30 p.m.| All The Kings Men: Jolly Joe Timmer Tribute
3-4 p.m. | Polkadelphia
4:30-5:30 p.m. | ABE Idol Winner
7-8 p.m.| Jeiris Cook
Sunday, October 15
Oktoberfest Pup Parade
Sunday, October 15 | 12 p.m.
Oktoberfest Arena
Join us for the return of the Oktoberfest Pup Parade! This free event begins check in at 12pm at the Oktoberfest Arena with the parade beginning at 12:15p. Pups can don their favorite costume or simply come as they are. Dogs and their humans will parade around the Oktoberfest Area for a group of judges who will then elect a President and Chancellor Pup of the fest.
THE OKTOBERFEST WIENER DOG RACES
Sunday, October 15 | 12 & 3 p.m.
Oktoberfest Arena
On your bark! Get set! Register! The annual running of the wiener dogs is back at Oktoberfest. Registration is $15 per dog. Dogs will race bracket style until we are down to our final 3 dogs for winners at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
All wiener dogs, wiener dog mixes, and wiener dogs at heart (25Lb and under) and welcome to register.
Race check in will begin at the Oktoberfest Arena 30 minutes before your schedule race time.
Sunday, October 15
Register for 1:30 p.m. Race · Register for 3 p.m. Race
Cyr Wheel Performance
Sunday, October 15 | 4:30 p.m.
Matthew Ossiander has been using his Cyr Wheel for nearly a decade, performing, busking, and making friends from San Francisco to NYC. Even though the wheel is often the star of his show, both Matt and the wheel are loyal dance partners. He sees his craft as endlessly developing. As with any part of life, there is always more to learn, even if the lesson is how to use a simple wheel. Matt hopes that you will enjoy watching and learning as he spins his heart out for you.
Music
Hofbräu Biergarten
12-1:30 p.m. | Josef Kroboth Quartet
3-4 p.m. | Kendal Conrad
4:05 p.m. | GTEV D’Lustigen Schuhplattlers
Samuel Adams/Dogfish Head Biergarten
12 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
1:30-3 p.m. | Life After Dead: Grateful Dead Tribute
3:30 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
4:30-6 p.m. | The Stray Seeds
Spaten Biergarten
1 p.m. | GTV Almrausch Schuhplattlers
2-3 p.m. | Stacy Gabel Band
3 p.m. | GTEV D’Lustigen Schuhplattlers
4:30-5:30 p.m. | Melody Cruz & the Keystones
Yuengling Biergarten
12-1:30 p.m. | John Stevens Polka Trio
2 p.m. | GTEV D’Lustigen Schuhplattlers
3-4:30 p.m. | Alex Radus Quartet