Virginia runs six confirmed Oktoberfest celebrations from September 18 through October 17, spread across Richmond, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah foothills.
The state holds one of America's longest-running authentic German folk festivals, a historic German settlement Oktoberfest, a free three-day community festival, and Northern Virginia's largest brewery Oktoberfest in Manassas.
Oktoberfest in Virginia lets you celebrate Bavarian traditions with the state’s massive craft beer culture. The highlights include massive outdoor beer gardens, authentic German fare, live polka music, and lively competitions like stein-hoisting and keg-rolling.
What are the Major Oktoberfest Events in Virginia?
Virginia hosts several massive Oktoberfest celebrations each fall, including the historic Richmond Oktoberfest, the town-wide Lovettsville Oktoberfest, the military-hosted festival at Fort Belvoir, and more.
Richmond Oktoberfest
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Venue: Old Dominion Building, Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 East Laburnum Ave, Richmond
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Dates: 16 October and 17 October
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Timing: Friday 6:00 pm–10:00 pm · Saturday 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
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Tickets: $10 per person (16 and older), Two-day pass $15
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Kinder Korner: Friday 7:00–9:00 pm · Saturday 4:00–9:00 pm
Richmond Oktoberfest is the most traditional German Oktoberfest in Virginia, founded in 1969 by two German cultural clubs, who modeled the event directly on the Munich Oktoberfest. The 56th edition returns to the Old Dominion Building at the Richmond Raceway Complex.
Beer pours cover Warsteiner, Paulaner, and Bitburger across Märzens, Pilsners, Hefe-Weisse, and Dunkels. Sausages are hand-crafted by Usinger's of Wisconsin. The SGTEV Hirschjaeger Bavarian Dancers have performed here since 1969, and the stein hoisting contest runs both evenings, with three-liter steins awarded to winners.
Lovettsville Oktoberfest
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Venue: 6 East Pennsylvania Ave, Lovettsville, VA 20180 (town-wide, multiple venues)
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Dates: September 25–27
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Timing: Evenings from 6:00 PM
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Tickets: Free entry
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Kids: Kinderfest area with dedicated activities throughout the weekend
Lovettsville Oktoberfest is a three day celebration in Virginia’s oldest German settlement. Over 13,000 visitors attend this town-wide event across three days on the last full weekend of September. Two live music stages, 20+ food vendors, 20+ beers, wiener dog races, stein-hoisting, an Oktoberfest King and Queen Contest, and the Alte Kameraden Band fill the weekend program.
The Lovettsville Lions Club hosts a traditional German dinner at the old Volunteer Fire Hall on Friday evening starting at 5:00 PM. Admission to the Lovettsville Oktoberfest festival grounds is free. You only need to pay if you want to purchase commemorative steins, merchandise, or drink tickets.
St. Benedict Oktoberfest
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Venue: Joe and Judy Dart Festplatz at Saint Benedict, 300 N. Sheppard St., Richmond, VA 23221
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Dates: September 18 to September 20
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Timing: 4:00 PM–11:00 PM · Saturday 11:00 AM–11:00 PM · Sunday 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
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Tickets: Free admission
St. Benedict Oktoberfest is one of the largest free Oktoberfest events on the East Coast. The festival runs 30+ taps covering German and local brewery selections alongside Virginia wineries.
Live music, traditional dancing, a Christkindlmarkt, and a stein-holding competition anchor all three evenings. German food covers platters, sandwiches, pretzels, and desserts. St. Benedict's OktoberFest offers entertainment for the whole family, with music, food, beverages, carnival rides, and games.
2 Silos Brewing Oktoberfest
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Venue: 9925 Discovery Blvd, Manassas, VA 20109 (Farm Brew LIVE outdoor grounds)
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Dates: September 18 – September 20
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Timing: Friday 4:00 PM–9:00 PM · Saturday 11:00 AM–9:00 PM · Sunday 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
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Tickets: Free entry
2 Silos Brewing Oktoberfest is Northern Virginia's largest brewery Oktoberfest, which runs as a three-day celebration. The event opens with a Golden Keg Tapping ceremony on Friday and features authentic Märzen-style brews, sausage plates, and Bavarian pretzels throughout the weekend.
A stein-holding competition on Saturday is hosted live by Hot 99.5's Elizabethany. Free bounce houses and an obstacle course run for kids all three days. Enjoy authentic German beer, food, live music, and fun for the whole family at this family-friendly Oktoberfest in Virginia.
Middleburg Oktoberfest
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Venue: S. Madison Street and Federal Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 (streets closed to traffic)
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Date: September 19
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Hours: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
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Tickets: Free admission
Middleburg Oktoberfest is a free single day street festival in Virginia featuring two biergartens, traditional German and festival foods, and live music. Two biergartens pour local Virginia craft beer, wine, and cider alongside traditional German food vendors. The Corgi Races draw a dedicated crowd each year and run mid-afternoon.
The festival also features artwork from local and regional artists for purchase along both streets. This is the most relaxed and walkable Oktoberfest on the Virginia calendar.
Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest
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Venue: Fremont Field, 2104 Goethals Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
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Projected Dates: September 24–27
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Entry: Free · Carnival wristbands $27–$35 · Beer by ticket ($10 each)
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Access: DoD ID required or sponsor from a DoD ID cardholder
Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest is a four-day fall festival that provides a family-friendly experience featuring authentic German food, a large carnival, live music, and drinks. Traditional Bavarian fare and food trucks are available.
The fest tent serves imported German beers like Hofbräu and Tucher Bräu, alongside domestic options, wine, and ciders. The family Carnival features a midway with fair food, games, and daily unlimited ride wristbands for which the price varies from roughly &27 to $35. Commemorative items like custom dimple mugs, stone steins, and embroidered German trilby hats can be purchased with event tickets.
What to Wear to Virginia Oktoberfest Events?
Traditional Bavarian dress is not required at any Virginia Oktoberfest, but it is welcomed and genuinely celebrated, especially at Richmond Oktoberfest, Lovettsville, and St. Benedict.
Dirndl and Lederhosen fit the atmosphere and are common across both evenings. For September Valley events, lightweight cotton or linen dirndls handle the afternoon heat comfortably.
A jacket or heavier cotton dirndl is the right choice once temperatures drop after sunset for evening events in Lovettsville and Middleburg. You can also wear casual dress like jeans, fall layers, and boots at every Virginia Oktoberfest event. Comfortable footwear matters at all events, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Planning Tips for a Smooth Virginia Oktoberfest Visit
For a smooth Virginia Oktoberfest visit, arrive early to avoid long lines, bring enough cash for faster food and drink purchases, and reserve tickets or VIP tables in advance for larger celebrations.
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Book tickets early because popular Virginia Oktoberfest events sell out quickly.
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Arrive before noon on Saturdays to secure seating and avoid long lines.
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Bring $10s and $20s for beer tokens, pretzels, and quick purchases.
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Check venue bag rules before leaving, especially clear-bag and clutch-size limits.
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Wear Dirndls or Lederhosen with comfortable closed-toe shoes for long walking.
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Plan transport early with rideshare, shuttles, or a designated sober driver.
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Check the fall weather in Virginia and bring light layers or rain protection.
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Review family rules because some events have kid zones or adult-only areas.
FAQs
Is there a free Oktoberfest in Virginia?
Yes. St. Benedict Oktoberfest in Richmond runs with free admission across all three days (September 18–20). Middleburg Oktoberfest and 2 Silos Brewing Oktoberfest in Manassas also charge no entry fee.
What is the most authentic German Oktoberfest in Virginia?
Richmond Oktoberfest is the most authentic. It was founded in 1969 by two German cultural clubs and has maintained German-import beers, Bavarian dancers, and traditional food from authentic German suppliers across all 56 editions.
What is the largest Oktoberfest in Virginia?
Lovettsville Oktoberfest draws over 13,000 attendees across three days in a town of roughly 1,300 residents, making it the largest by attendance.