Raise Your Stein at Oktoberfest 2025!
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., September 4, 2025 – Oktoberfest, presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), returns to the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks for its 15th year of German-inspired fun.
Kicking off for the first weekend, Friday October 3 through Sunday, October 5 with a second weekend set to take place Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12, this FREE festival is packed with German traditions and unique competitions – from official steinholding competitions and pretzel tossing to dachshund races and Kong Pong. Guests can explore Brewers’ Village presented by the Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild, savor authentic bites and brews across four biergartens, shop local artisans and enjoy live music and entertainment throughout both weekends.
“After 15 years, Oktoberfest remains a must-visit destination in the Lehigh Valley,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE). “ABE proudly sponsors this free event because it energizes the community with cultural entertainment, delicious food and live music. With festivities only a few weeks away, the Airport appreciates the hard work by ArtsQuest staff to deliver an exciting venue.”
ACTIVITIES:
Fliplehem: Oktoberfest Flip Cup Tournament
Get ready for the first-ever Oktoberfest Flip Cup Tournament presented by D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. on October 10! Gather your crew of four and battle it out in a bracket-style competition to claim victory. Cups will be filled with water, not beer.
Only one person needs to register on behalf of your team of four. All participants must be 21+.
Winners take home a $50 ArtsQuest Gift Card for each team member!
The Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championship
ArtsQuest is partnering with the US Steinholding Association to once again host the official Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championships presented by Samuel Adams! The State Championship Qualifier Competition will take place on October 4. Register for the competition here. It’s free to participate and the participants with the best times will advance to the finals.
Join us for the first ever Oktoberfest Pretzel Toss on October 5 at 5 p.m. Partners will take turns tossing soft pretzels to one another, increasing their distance with each throw. Registration is free and will take place in person at the Oktoberfest Arena beginning at 4:30 p.m. Spots are limited. First come, first served.
Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition
The Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition will be on Sunday, October 12 at 12:30 p.m. Contestants, ages 18 and up, will go head-to-head to see who can be the first to finish 10 Karl Ehmer brats (no buns) and keep them down for two minutes, with the winner taking home a $250 prize. Register here to become the next bratwurst eating champion.
Oktoberfest Kong Pong Tournament
On Friday, October 3, The Oktoberfest Kong Pong Tournament presented by D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Grab a partner and play a fan-favorite party game. There will be 55-gallon cups, two dodgeballs and (2) $100 ArtsQuest gift card for the pair that wins the tournament. Registration is $11. You can register here or on the day of the event! Make sure you register at least 15 minutes before the event starts and only one person from your duo needs to register!
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. Register here.
The annual race for beer is on! The Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k, in partnership with Run Lehigh Valley, returns for the 11th year on Sunday, October 5. Runners will be welcomed at the finish line with authentic German entertainment, including a special set by Schützengiggles Oompah Band from 10:45-11:30 a.m. GTV Almrausch will also be performing during the 5k, adding to the festive atmosphere. Pre-registration is required.
Purebreds, Dachshund mixes and wiener dogs at heart under 25 lbs. will race in a double elimination bracket until a 3rd, 2nd and 1st place pup emerge victorious. Multiple entries are allowed, but there is no guarantee that your dogs will not race against each other. 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. Register your pup here!
The festival will host a parade every Saturday and Sunday. Pups donning their favorite costume or simply trotting as they are, could be elected President of Chancellor of the parade. There will be prizes and there will be adorableness. The parade is free to participate in, and no pre-registration is required. You can sign your dog up on the day of the parade beginning at 12 p.m. at the Oktoberfest Arena.
SPECIALTY FOOD/BEVERAGE:
In its 9th year, Oktoberfest Brewers’ Village presented by The Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild will be on Saturday, October 11 in the Musikfest Café. This event offers over 25 brews, all award-winning craft breweries. All attendees will receive a commemorative sampling mug and have the opportunity to meet the breweries’ staff and brewers. From German-style marzens to autumn-inspired pumpkin ales, you can purchase your tickets here!
Yuengling Beer Dinner
ArtsQuest, Levy Restaurants and D.G. Yuengling & Son have partnered to present the 2nd annual scrumptious beer dinner on Saturday, October 4 at 5 p.m. in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room in the ArtsQuest Center! This is a 21+ event. We have four courses paired with 6 oz. pours of four different Yuengling beers. A Yuengling brewer will be talking about the brewing process and each beer as we go through the dinner. And each patron will get a special Yuengling pint glass! Purchase your tickets here!
OKTOBERFEST FOOD VENDORS:
Enjoy a bite from some festival favorites! From German sausages to pierogis to smoked BBQ and tacos, there are too many delicious options that you don’t want to miss.
Karl Ehmer Quality Meats Allentown
Food Stuff
Take a Taco (10/11-10/12 only)
Slide on By (10/4-10/5 only)
Be sure to visit all four of our biergartens where you’ll find Hofbräu, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head, Spaten and Yuengling on tap and more. (Feel free to bring your Musikfest Mug or purchase an official Oktoberfest Mug).
RETAILERS/CRAFTERS:
Ruby Hottie Hot Sauce
Celtic Vibe
Hometown Spark Permanent Jewelry
Authentic German Beer Steins
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, The Wonton Soups, Bavarian Kings, Dylan Zangwill Band, Cunningham & Associates and many more. Not to mention the Schuhplattler performances by GTV Almrausch, GTEV D’Lustigen Isartaler and Almrausch Altoona. For a comprehensive lineup, visit https://www.steelstacks.org/festivals/oktoberfest/oktoberfest-schedule/.
Karaoke
Don’t miss the karaoke fun at the Oktoberfest Arena. You can sing your heart out on Friday, October 3 and Friday, October 10 at 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Dragtoberfest
This 18+ event is hosted by former Miss Gay Pennsylvania Elektra Fearce St. James, 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 both Saturdays, October 4 and October 11, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This FREE show fills up quickly, so come early to grab your spot!
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
