The Oktoberfestival is a commemoration of all things German, based on the traditional München Oktoberfest. Our mission is to produce a world-class Bavarian celebration on the shores of Lake Superior while utilizing the beauty of the Bayfront Festival Park. The festival will be held annually right here in Duluth and is set to grow and improve each and every year. We can’t wait to have you all join us for what is sure to be one of Duluth’s signature events moving forward. Prost!

We are bringing everything you know and love about the German Oktoberfest right here to Duluth, MN! At the 4th annual Duluth Oktoberfestival you can find: cold German bier, delicious Bavarian food, authentic live music, tons of games and activities and so much more! So dust off your lederhosen, lace up your dirndl, and come join in on all of the fun the festival has to offer!

The Duluth Oktoberfestival will take place September 15-16-17, 2023 and is located within the confines of Duluth’s iconic Bayfront Festival Park (350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802).

ACTIVITIES

LIVE MUSIC

GERMAN GAMES & ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS

THE KIDS ZONE

FOOD & BIER

DACHSHUND DERBY

ARTS & CRAFTS MARKTHAUS

LIVE MUSIC & STEIN HOLDING TIMES

What is an Oktoberfestival without German music? This year, several incredible bands are traveling to Duluth to perform some authentic German music for everyone to enjoy.  

2023 PERFORMER SCHEDULE

FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 15)

4:00pm – 5:00pm: Oktoberfestival Entrance featuring the Lake Superior Low Brass Ensemble

4:30 pm – 5:15pm: Kerry Christensen

5:15 pm – 6:15pm: Oktoberfest All Stars feat. Gasper Krek

6:15pm – 6:50pm: Kerry Christensen

6:50pm – Women’s Steinholding

7:05pm – 8:00pm: Alpensterne

8:00pm: Men’s Steinholding

8:15pm – 9:15pm: Alpensterne

9:15pm: 2-Handed Steinholding

9:30pm-10:30pm: Winzgie Hosen

SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 16)

11:30pm – 12:15pm: Lake Superior Low Brass Ensemble

12:30pm – 12:50pm: S.G. Edelweiss

12:50pm – 1:20pm: House Music/Ein Prosit

1:20pm – 1:40pm: S.G. Edelweiss

1:40 – 2:00 pm: House Music/Ein Prosit

2:00pm – 3:00 pm: Kerry Christensen

3:00pm – 3:30pm: House Music/Ein Prosit

3:30pm – 3:50pm: S.G. Edelweiss

3:50pm – 4:00pm: House Music/Ein Prosit

4:00pm – 4:45pm: Oktoberfest All Stars feat. Gasper Krek

5:00pm – 5:45pm: Kerry Christensen

6:00pm – 6:45pm: Oktoberfest All Stars feat. Gasper Krek

6:45pm: Women’s Steinholding Contest

7:05pm – 8:00pm: Alpensterne

8:00pm: Men’s Steinholding Contest

8:15 – 9:15 pm: Alpensterne

9:15pm: Two-handed Steinholding Contest

9:30pm – 10:30pm: Winzige Hosen

SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 17)

11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Bill Koncar Band

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Kerry Christensen

1:00 pm – 1:20 pm: SG Edelweiss

1:30 pm – 2:00pm: BREAK for Dachshund Derby (outside)

2:00pm – 2:30 pm: Kerry Christensen

2:45 pm-3:30 pm: Bill Koncar Band

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm: House Music/Ein Prosit

DER KINDERPLATZ

Der Kinderplatz offers a fun variety of children’s activities and entertainment at the Duluth Oktoberfestival, presented by Essentia Health. 

Located near the center of the festival, the free kinderplatz is full of fun for all ages. Grab a shady spot under a tree to relax with friends and family while your kids get active and participate in all that the kinderplatz has to offer, including arts and crafts, cookie decorating and German Games. In addition, we will also have a bouncy house, an inflatable obstacle course, and an inflatable slide.

Kinderplatz Hours of Operation 

Saturday:  12pm-4pm

Sunday:  12pm-4pm

Essentia Health Family Day – Sunday, Sept 17th.  

In addition to the arts and crafts, cookie decorating and German Games, the Essentia Health Family Day on Sunday, will include a petting zoo, alpacas, Kids Tug of War at 2pm, the kids stein holding contest at 3pm, and a passport which once kids complete, can turn enter a drawing for a MN Wild Prize. Sunday is dedicated for the family, and includes even more fun filled activities specifically for the family to enjoy.  

Kids Tug of War

Line the kids up and let the craziness begin as they compete for bragging rights as the strongest Kinder at the festival. This classic competition will take place around 2:00PM on Sunday and is a great kid’s activity to keep children active and laughing as you enjoy your bier in the background. 

Barrel Rolling 

Kids feeling strong? In the Barrel Roll, players will push a barrel through the course while racing against the competition. Rules are simple: push the barrel to the finish line as fast as you can!  

Cookie Decorating

Bring the kids over to the kids zone and give let them decorate a cookie! Cookie decorating is free and a fun activity for kids to get creative and make a fun snack.   Kids Stein Holding

On Sunday the kids get a chance to test their strength, and participate in German traditions by having them participate in the kids stein holding contest! 

Arts & Crafts

There will be a lot of different crafts available for the kids, and they will be able to make all of the festive crafts that their heart desires. 

Inflatables

Petting Zoo

DACHSHUND DERBY

Presented by LAKE COUNTY VETERINARY CLINICS

If your wiener dog feels the need for speed, comes from an impressive blood line, or just dresses well enough to come in last and still merit a photo finish, feel free to enter them in the third annual Dachshund Derby, presented by Lake County Veterinary Clinics!  From adults to fresh puppies, all wiener dogs are welcome to participate. The derby will pit all of the registered dachshund pups against each other in a timed race from one end of a grass track to the other.

Even if you don’t have a dachshund of your own, the sight of dozens of cute pups dashing for glory is a great event you won’t want to miss!

When: Sunday, September 17th. 

Quarterfinals start at 12:30 p.m., and the semi-finals are from 1:30pm-2pm. The finals are immediately following the semi-finals.

Where: Bayfront Festival Park

What: A race from one end of an enclosed grass track to the other.

ADMISSION

Kids 15 and under are free when accompanied by a paid parents and/or guardians.

Kombiticket (Upgraded Day Pass)

Eintagesticket (Single Day Pass)

Designated Driver and/or Under 21 Day Pass

Youth Day Pass (15 & Under)

College Students (18+) FREE  (with Student ID)

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Date: September 15-16-17, 2023

Friday 4:00 pm–11:00 pm – (alcohol sales end at 10:30 pm)

Saturday 11:00 am–11:00 pm – (alcohol sales end at 10:30 pm)

Sunday 11:00 am –4:00 pm – (alcohol sales end at 3:30 pm)

Location: Bayfront Festival Park 

350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802

Click here for more information