Summer might be the most popular time to visit Lake, but fall is the hidden season that you need to experience yourself to understand. The sun is still shining brightly. Temperatures hover in the seventies in September and the sixties in October. It’s no wonder many of our friends call it the “2nd summer.” The only difference is the crowds are gone and Mother Nature is putting on a show with her fall foliage. And for beer lovers, Oktoberfest Lake Tahoe festivities are some of the best Oktoberfests in mountain towns.
Tahoe City Oktoberfest
September 21st
The first of the Oktoberfest Lake Tahoe events is the North Lake Tahoe edition in Tahoe City. If you want a view of Lake Tahoe alongside your frosty pints of beer, this is your gathering. Located at the Gatekeepers Museum, festivities kick off at noon. Local craft beers will flow. Live music will fill the air. And Bavarian themed games will be played. In past years, this family friendly event featured breweries from all over the Lake Tahoe (region), Sacramento, and the Bay Area. Names such as Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, Alibi Aleworks, FiftyFifty Brewing, Common Cider, and Barefoot Wine.
Palisades Tahoe Oktoberfest
September 28th
If there’s a place that doesn’t need an excuse for a party, it’s the Olympic Village. Be it ANY season, Palisades Tahoe throws down and their Oktoberfest Lake Tahoe version is a humdinger. Transforming the village into a Bavarian playground, it features authentic German beer and classic German foods. Whatever you do, be sure to set aside some extra room for the apfelstrudel and our personal favorite – nussgipfel. It’s like a German croissant stuffed with nut filling. Event runs from 12pm – 6pm. Throughout the event, Joe Smiell’s 20 Piece Bavarian Band and Alpentanz Kapelle set the stage with live music to get your Polka and Schuhplatter on. Even if you aren’t a dancer, you can enjoy the Almenrausch Schuhplattler Dance Troupe and Alpentanzer Schuhplattler Dance Troupe to show you how it’s done.
Are You Truly A Beer Fan?
In addition to the beer flowing and the tubas playing, the Palisades Tahoe edition has the Oktoberfest Games. As you would expect, it revolves around eating and drinking. First up, the Keg Rolling Contest. Contestants will roll an empty keg through a course as fast as possible. Next, it’s the brat toss. This is where you toss a brat onto a key with increasing difficulty. The competition ends with the Stein Holding Competition. The classic Bavarian game has you hold two full 1-liter steins of beer at shoulder height and the last person standing wins. Rumor has it that the record is a time of 20 minutes and 13 seconds set in Germany. Do you think you got what it takes to beat the world record?
Camp Richardson
October 5th & 6th
The legendary South Lake Tahoe Oktoberfest at Camp Richardson is back! The oldest annual Oktoberfest in Tahoe isn’t just a one-day event but a weekend long party. The festival grounds are tucked under a canopy of old growth trees on the historic property and filled with activities regardless of age will enjoy. Sip on a beer from a commemorative mug and take in the yodeling contest. Enjoy a freshly cooked turkey leg or bratwurst. Have your kids take out some energy by enjoying the bounce house or strolling through the pumpkin patch and leaping to their heart’s content at the bungee platform. Finish it off with some dancing in your best Bavarian garb and you got yourself a great fall day.
