Cassie Northern 
It’s that time of the year again: Oktoberfest. It’s known as the biggest folk festival in the world (and also the biggest beer festival), and has over six million visitors a year. 2026 marks the 191st Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, and it’ll be running from September 19 to October 4. But for those of us who are going to be spending Oktoberfest in Northern Virginia, there are many celebrations to be found locally. Read on for more information about Oktoberfest and to learn where you can celebrate in NOVA.
Editor’s note: we will be adding Oktoberfest celebrations as they’re added. As always, please make sure to check our totally free events calendar for more info, or email [email protected] to share information.
What is an Oktoberfest?
First off, what is an Oktoberfest? According to the brewery 2 Silos Brewing in Manassas, which is well known for its own Oktoberfest celebrations, the tradition started in 1810 in Munich with a royal wedding between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The reception for this wedding took place for five days, and the party was so memorable that it became annual. And eventually, what started off as a wedding celebration turned into “the world’s largest beer festival,” and it became more well-known with people naturally moving around to different parts of the world and continuing to celebrate.
Here’s something else that’s interesting: even though you may read its name and think it takes place in October (or notice that a lot of local Oktober festivities are taking place in October), Oktoberfest actually happens in September. While the original wedding celebration took place from October 12 to October 17, the following events were pushed forward due to the warmer nights in Bavaria.
Local Oktoberfests
Oktoberfest at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run | 16015 John Marshall Highway, Broad Run
Date: September 11th – 27th
Time: TBD
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The Farm Brewery at Broad Run is planning another Oktoberfest celebration at its sprawling 60-acre brewery. There will be seasonal beer, food + live entertainment in the brewery’s family- and dog-friendly outdoor setting.
Oktoberfest at Solace Brewing Company | 42615 Trade West Drive #100, Sterling
Date: Saturday, September 12th
Time: 10AM – 11PM
Solace Brewing Company is kicking off Oktoberfest season with a day of German-inspired beer + festivities at its Sterling taproom. Expect seasonal pours, food, music, and plenty of reasons to break out the steins.
Oktoberfest at Barrel Oak | 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane
Date: Saturday, September 12th
Time: 11AM – 7PM
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Barrel Oak will have Bavarian-inspired bites plus wine, beer, and other festivities. There will also be a special Festbier, brewed on-site for the occasion, available.
Oktoberfest at Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery | 38506 John Wolford Road, Waterford
Date: Saturday, September 12th-Sunday, September 13th
Time: Fest Tent 11:30AM-6:30PM; brewery 11AM-8PM
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Wheatland Spring’s annual Oktoberfest returns for two days of Bavarian-inspired food, beer + entertainment. The weekend includes a 14-piece Bavarian band, alphorn music, stein-holding + costume competitions, children’s entertainment, and the brewery’s annual Ursprung Festbier.
Oktoberfest at 2 Silos Brewing Co. | 9925 Discovery Boulevard, Manassas
Date: Friday, September 18th-Sunday, September 20th
Time: Friday 4PM-9PM; Saturday 11AM-9PM; Sunday 11AM-5PM
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2 Silos is turning Oktoberfest into a full three-day celebration with German-inspired food, locally brewed beer + live entertainment. The weekend also includes a stein-holding competition, arts + crafts vendors, commemorative steins, and family-friendly activities like bounce houses and an inflatable obstacle course.
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Courthaus Social Oktoberfest | 2300 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington
Date: Friday, September 18th-Sunday, September 20th
Time: Times vary
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Courthaus Social is bringing its annual Oktoberfest celebration back to Arlington for a full weekend of Bavarian-inspired fun. Expect German beer + food specials, music, contests, and a lively beer hall atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Alexandria Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square | 300 John Carlyle Street, Alexandria
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 11AM-6PM
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John Carlyle Square turns into a Bavarian-inspired festival with live music, traditional performances, German food, craft vendors + a beer garden. The family-friendly event brings a classic Oktoberfest atmosphere to Old Town’s Carlyle neighborhood.
Oktoberfest at Black Hoof Brewing Company | 11 S King Street, Leesburg
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 2PM; live German music scheduled 4PM-8PM
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Black Hoof Brewing is celebrating Oktoberfest in Downtown Leesburg with German-style beer, food + festive entertainment. Lost Lederhosen is scheduled to bring traditional German party music to the brewery during the afternoon and evening.
Oktoberfest at Bunnyman Brewing | 9514 Workhouse Way, Lorton
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: TBD
Bunnyman Brewing is planning seasonal Oktoberfest programming at its Lorton location. The brewery has previously paired its fall celebrations with special beer releases, food + live entertainment.
Kena Oktoberfest | Kena Shriners, 9500 Technology Drive, Manassas
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 12PM-3PM
Kena Shriners is hosting an afternoon Oktoberfest with traditional music, cold beer + German-inspired food. Brats, schnitzel, pretzel bites, and other seasonal favorites are all part of the celebration.
Middleburg Oktoberfest | South Madison Street + Federal Street, Middleburg
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 11AM-6PM
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Middleburg’s sixth annual Oktoberfest takes over South Madison + Federal Streets with two biergartens, German food, local beer, wine, cider + live music. Artist’s Alley also returns with work from local + regional artists, including pottery, jewelry, wearable art, and more.
RhinO’Fest at Lost Rhino Brewing Company | 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 11:30AM – 9:30PM
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Lost Rhino Brewing Company is bringing back RhinO’Fest for its take on the traditional German celebration. Seasonal beer, festive food, live entertainment + brewery games make this one of Loudoun County’s longtime Oktoberfest stops.
South Riding Oktoberfest | Town Green, 43080 Center Street, South Riding
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 12PM-5PM
South Riding’s Oktoberfest brings German-inspired food, drinks, live entertainment + community festivities to the Town Green. The afternoon celebration is open to the public and makes for an easy family-friendly way to get into the Oktoberfest spirit.
28th Annual Oktoberfest | Pullen Field, 9625 Middleton Road, Fort Belvoir
Date: Thursday, September 24th-Sunday, September 27th
Time: Thursday 6PM-10PM; Friday 4PM-11PM; Saturday 12PM-11PM; Sunday 12PM-8PM
Fort Belvoir’s four-day Oktoberfest is one of the largest celebrations on this list, with German food, drinks, music + dancing. The annual festival also includes a carnival, a Volksmarch 5K/10K walk, and other activities for the whole family.
2026 Oktoberfest | G34.3 Brewing Company, 8532 Terminal Road, Lorton
Date: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 12PM-9PM
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G34.3 Brewing Company is going full Bavarian with its annual Oktoberfest celebration. The day features its Märzen-style Lenticular Lager 1553, German food from The Alpine Chef, live oompah music + more, with general admission available for free.
Honorfest at Honor Brewing Company | 42604 Trade West Drive, Sterling
Date: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 11AM – 11PM
Honor Brewing Company is celebrating Oktoberfest season with Honorfest at its Sterling brewery. Guests can expect German-inspired beer + food, music, and other seasonal festivities throughout the day.
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Larktoberfest at Lark Brewing Co. | 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie
Date: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 11AM – 10PM
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Lark Brewing Co. is putting a local spin on Oktoberfest with its annual Larktoberfest celebration. The Aldie brewery will have seasonal beer, food + entertainment in its sprawling indoor-outdoor setting.
Oktoberfest at Commonwealth Brewing Co. | 10426 Main Street, Fairfax
Date: September 26th
Time: TBD
Commonwealth Brewing’s Fairfax taproom is getting into Oktoberfest season with its house Märzen lager + German-inspired festivities.
Lovettsville Oktoberfest | 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville
Date: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 10AM – 5PM
Lovettsville’s German roots take center stage during the town’s signature Oktoberfest celebration. The annual festival fills downtown with German food, beer, live music, traditional entertainment + community activities.
Oktoberfest | Ornery Beer Company
Date: Saturday, September 26th starting at 12PM at 2310 Woodland Crossing Dr Ste F, Herndon
Date: Sunday, September 27th starting at 12PM at 8088 Flannery Ct. Manassas
Ornery Beer Company is celebrating Oktoberfest throughout the weekend with German-style beer, seasonal food + festivities.
Great Falls Oktoberfest | Great Falls Grange, Great Falls
Date: Friday, October 2nd
Time: 6PM-10PM
The Great Falls Grange is hosting an Oktoberfest evening with a German buffet, beer + wine, pretzels, contests, prizes, and Bavarian music. It is a more contained Oktoberfest experience than some of the larger street festivals, with food + drinks included as part of the celebration.
Vienna Oktoberfest | Historic Church Street, 131 Church Street NE, Vienna
Date: Saturday, October 3rd
Time: 11AM-7PM
Vienna Oktoberfest takes over Historic Church Street + the Town Green with three stages of entertainment, a beer + wine garden, food vendors, local artisans, and a free Kids Zone. Admission is free, and the festival traditionally draws thousands of visitors to downtown Vienna.
Bierdeck | Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington
Date: Sunday, September 20th – Sunday, October 18th
Time: TBD
The rooftop at Clarendon Ballroom will be transformed into a German beer hall to celebrate Oktoberfest.
Grateful Oktoberfest at Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. | 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church
Date: Saturday, October 24th
Time: 7PM – 10PM
Settle Down Easy Brewing is putting its own spin on Oktoberfest with a Grateful Dead-inspired celebration in Falls Church. Guests can expect seasonal beer, food, music + plenty of laid-back brewery vibes.
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