Vail Oktoberfest Brings the Best Traditions of Munich to the Mountains

After a sweltering summer season, the Colorado heat is beginning to show signs of relenting. Luckily that first hint of a morning chill perfectly aligns with the return of Oktoberfest season. And while a jet-setting retreat to Munich would be a dream for any beer fan during the middle of September, the next best thing is a weekend getaway to the Bavarian-inspired mountain destination of Vail Village.

Dust off your lederhosen and dirndls, and start warming up your stein hoisting arm because the Vail Oktoberfest spans two consecutive weekends from September 8-10 in Lionshead Village and September 15-17 in Vail Village transporting attendees to an authentic Oktoberfest experience with the added benefit of a stunning alpine backdrop.

Jam-packed with six days of traditional Oktoberfest festivities including live Oompah band performances from the likes of Helmut Fricker and the Rhinelanders Band and the Polkanauts every day, classic German eats throughout both weekends, authentic German beer from Spaten, and a host of Oktoberfest-inspired events like a stein lifting competition, Alpen dancers, Polidori bratwurst eating contest, adult keg bowling, costume contest and much more, the Vail Oktoberfest offers a little something for everyone to fit the season.

To keep the party rolling, the Vail Village Oktoberfest will also feature live musical performances on Friday, September 15, and Saturday, September 16 beginning at 1pm and running to 9pm each day with Tenth Mountain Division headlining Friday night and Float Like a Buffalo closing down the fun on Saturday.

The Vail Oktoberfest celebration weekends are completely free to attend and open to all ages, however, there are packages available for purchase that include full-liter glass steins, as well as half-liter ceramic steins and half-liter glass steins which come with a full pour of beer.

Book your stay in Vail this September to experience what USA Today has called one of the top 10 Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Germany!