Oktoberfest Brisbane

Spread over two exciting weekends in October each year, this Bavarian festival celebrates the 200 year old tradition of Oktoberfest.

Each year in October the Brisbane Showground is transformed into a bustling Bavarian village that celebrates the food, beer, culture and fun of a traditional German Oktoberfest.

While the festival is run by 2 Australian-German families and has been kept out of the hands of any major corporations since it started, the Brisbane Oktoberfest is so popular and well organised that it was named one of the top 10 Oktoberfests outside of Germany. 

Bring the whole family for a warm "wilkommen" and celebration of traditional German food, hand-crafted beers, and the culture of Bavarian life.

About Oktoberfest Brisbane

Rated as one of the top 10 Oktoberfests, the organisers of Brisbane’s best Bavarian festival are promising this year’s will be the best one yet.

Over the two weekends you’ll have the opportunity to sample the finest in German food, taste hand crafted beers from 200 year old recipes, dance to German music and enjoy traditional entertainment, all while learning about Bavarian culture and history.

There are a number of events and shows to see at the festival but the best of which are the competitions for Miss Oktoberfest, Bavarian Strongman Competition and the new Beardmeister competition.

• Date of next event: 11-13 and 18-20 October, 2019
• Line up: TBA
• Location: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills (entry via Gregory Terrace gate).

For a full program of events and more information, visit the Oktoberfest Brisbane website.

Getting there

While Oktoberfest is held at the RNA Showgrounds the only entry point is at the Gregory Terrace gate.

There are a number of car parks in the vicinity of the showgrounds though they are all paid spots and if you intend to taste the fine German beers you’re better off leaving the car behind.

Catch the train to either the Bowen Hills or Fortitude Valley stations and take a short walk to the showground, or catch the bus, taxi or any other form of Brisbane transport. It’s not likely you’ll get stuck though there may be a bit of a wait if you intend on leaving right on closing time.

If you’re going to be staying in Brisbane for Oktoberfest you’ll find plenty of accommodation options in close proximity to the showground, affording you a short walk to the festival. Tickets can be purchased online from the Oktoberfest site or at the gate. Keep in mind though, they are cheaper if you purchase online and you can even get a discount if you can get a group of 40 people together.

History

The original Oktoberfest celebration was actually a wedding! Prince Ludwig of Bavaria invited all the people of Munich to celebrate his wedding to Princess Therese. What was originally a day of horse races washed down with beer by 40,000 people has grown to the Bavarian beer festival we know today.

Brisbane’s Oktoberfest is organised by two Australian-German families along with some dedicated partners and friends. Reimer Moeller and Boris Zoulek’s families all work together to design and organise every aspect of the festival that caters to over 30,000 people every year.