Although Munich hosts the world’s largest Oktoberfest celebration, that doesn’t mean we can’t get in on the fun here in St. Louis! Here are some upcoming Oktoberfest celebrations that you won’t want to miss!

Saint Charles Oktoberfest
Sept. 23, 24 & 35
It’s the 30^th anniversary of this annual festival, and they’re pulling out all of the stops! On Saturday, check out the Samuel Adams Raise the Stein contest, in which participants battle it out to hold the stein the longest, or watch the wiener dog derby. Saturday afternoon is the brat eating contest (that is sure to be a rather interesting spectacle). On Sunday, take part in the 10K, 5K or 1-mile root beer fun run, or check out vintage stock cars at the annual Antique Car Show that will take over South Main Street in Historic Downtown St. Charles. Oh, and enjoy 30 different beers and authentic German food. Yum! http://saintcharlesoktoberfest.com/

Oktoberfest Cruise
October 9 & 16
Celebrate Oktoberfest in a very St. Louis way – with a Mississippi River cruise on the Gateway Arch Riverboats! Savor authentic German food – such as bratwurst, sweet and sour cabbage, knoodle kugle and more – with a tasty buffet, and dance to live German music while toasting to good times and good fun on the river. Make your reservation today! https://www.gatewayarch.com/experience/riverboat-cruises/specialty-cruises/oktoberfest-cruise.aspx

Hermann Oktoberfest
Every weekend in October
Hermann, Missouri, may be known for its wineries, but it’s dedicating every single weekend in October to Oktoberfest! Live music, stein hoisting contests, tours of the Museum at the German School, pumpkin patch hayrides, “punkin’ chunkin'” and much more are all fixtures on the jam-packed schedule of events. And here’s an idea: Make a weekend of the fun and book an overnight stay.  http://visithermann.com/hermann-oktoberfest/