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 19th, 2026
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 run from noon to 5 PM. And 2026 is a big one since Tahoe City Oktoberfest is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Admission is free, while tickets are required for the beer garden. Expect craft beer, food vendors, live music from Alpine Sound, Bavarian themed games and plenty of activities for the little Oktoberfesters. There’s even a free event shuttle and bike valet, so you don’t necessarily need to drive right into Tahoe City.
Palisades Tahoe Oktoberfest
September 26th, 2026
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 European pastries and desserts. And if you happen to spot nussgipfel, our personal favorite, grab one. It’s like a German croissant stuffed with nut filling.
The event runs from noon to 6 PM. Throughout the day, Joe Smiell’s 20 Piece Bavarian Band and Alpentanz Kapelle set the stage with live music to get your Polka and Schuhplattler on. Even if you aren’t a dancer, the Almenrausch and Alpentanzer Schuhplattler dance troupes will show you how it’s done. For 2026, they’re also pouring Germany’s Erdinger Weissbier along with a lineup of regional craft beers.
Are You Truly A Beer Fan?
In addition to the beer flowing and the tubas playing, the Palisades Tahoe edition has the OktoberGames. As you would expect, they revolve around eating, drinking and some questionable displays of athletic ability. The games are free to enter and run from 1 to 4 PM at the Gondola Plaza. First up is the Stein Race, where teams of two speed walk through an obstacle course. Next comes the Brat Toss, where contestants toss a bratwurst onto a keg with each round getting progressively harder. The competition ends with the Stein Holding Competition, where competitors hold a full 1 liter stein at shoulder height until there’s only one person left standing.
Camp Richardson Oktoberfest
October 3th & 4th, 2026
The legendary South Lake Tahoe Oktoberfest at Camp Richardson is back! Unlike the one day events, this one stretches across the entire weekend from 10 AM to 5 PM both days. The festival grounds are tucked beneath the trees on the historic property and packed with activities for all ages. Admission is free, there’s a free bike valet, and you can choose from 11 beers on tap, including Bavarian favorites like Paulaner, Hacker Pschorr and Erdinger.
Grab a bratwurst or turkey leg, take in the live German music, and test your skills in everything from stein holding to yodeling and costume contests. Kids get plenty to do too, while the adults can settle into the beer and wine garden. And one useful 2026 heads up: Camp Richardson is going plastic free at its own festival booths, so bring a reusable water bottle for the refill stations.
Make A Fall Weekend Of It
Oktoberfest also happens to land during one of our favorite times of year in Tahoe. From mid September into October, the aspens start lighting up around the basin, so if you’re coming up for beer, bratwurst and Bavarian music, leave some time to check out the best places to see fall colors in Lake Tahoe. It’s one of those rare weekends when you can get a little taste of Germany and Tahoe’s “second summer” all in the same trip.
