Urban Chestnut Brewing Company’s annual Oktoberfest St. Louis returns for its eighth year on Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30 at its Midtown Brewery & Biergarten. The festival will span three full days, but with a brand new theme “Biergarten to Big Top” and other new surprises.

The free festival will feature a full lineup of rock, blues, polka and oompah-thumping music on two stages as well as performances throughout the festival by members of Circus Flora. The beer begins flowing on Friday at noon but Oktoberfest St. Louis officially begins during a ceremonial keg-tapping at 6 p.m. with special guest keg-tappers Ken and Nancy Kranzberg of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, the foundation with which Urban Chestnut partnered to bring a full music lineup featuring local artists to this year’s festival.

What We’ll Drink

UCBC’s OktoberFestbier/Märzen (Oachkatzlschwoaf) otherwise known as O-Katz, Zwickel Bavarian Lager and Schnickelfritz Bavarian Weissbier in 16-ounce and liter pours. New this year is a limited-edition Dunkel brewed by brewmaster Florian Kuplent. The recipe dates back to 1967 and is from Brauerei Erharting, the German brewery where Kuplent completed his first apprenticeship. The Dunkle will only be available during the festival.

What We’ll Eat

Oktoberfest St. Louis will feature traditional fare for purchase including pretzels, bratwursts, porchetta sandwiches and Lebkuchen, heart-shaped gingerbread cookies. Some of St. Louis’ finest food trucks will also be on hand.

How We’ll Play

New to this year’s Oktoberfest is a festival market that will be open throughout the weekend featuring local artists and vendors selling handmade artisan goods.

Masskrugstemmen, the popular Oktoberfest stein-holding competition, will take place Saturday.

Sunday will feature family-friendly activities including performances by Circus Flora and a children’s tent with cookie decorating, music, coloring and more. The pet lovers and pet care experts from Purina will bring dog-friendly fun to Oktoberfest St. Louis family day with activities for both two and four-legged family members throughout the day.

Win VIP Fest Packs via Social Media

Festivalgoers can also compete in a Twitter contest this year to win special VIP Fest Packages by tweeting the official Oktoberfest St. Louis hashtag “#OktoberfestSTL” along with a short description of “what they’re looking forward to most about this year’s fest.”

Entry to Oktoberfest St. Louis is free; to alleviate lines all beer, food and commemorative Oktoberfest steins can be purchased with cash-only during the festival. ATMs will be available on-site at the festival. VIP tables are also available, which include reserved seating in the Big Top Saturday night with a dedicated beer server. Reserve your spot now!

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