Oktoberfest season in Central Oregon is much bigger than one afternoon in downtown Bend. In 2026, confirmed celebrations start in September and continue into October, with the main Bend Oktoberfest, a three-day celebration at Prost!, a family-friendly party at Worthy Brewing, a full Oktoberfest weekend in Sunriver, McMenamins Oktoberfest specials through October 3, and UPP Liquids Pretzel Fest on October 10.
This guide focuses on events that are actually confirmed for 2026. We are not filling the list with old Oktoberfest events from Redmond, Sisters, Prineville or other nearby towns unless organizers have announced a current event.
If you only want the quick answer: Saturday, September 19 is the biggest Oktoberfest day in Bend, while September 25–26 is the best weekend for a Central Oregon Oktoberfest getaway in Sunriver. If you are visiting in October, McMenamins keeps its Oktoberfest specials going through October 3, and UPP Liquids hosts Pretzel Fest on October 10.
2026 Oktoberfest & Oktoberfest-Style Event Calendar
| Event | 2026 date | Location | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oktoberfest at Prost! Bend | Sept. 18–20 | Bend | Free entry | German beer, food and a full weekend atmosphere |
| Oktoberfest at Worthy Brewing | Sept. 19 | Bend | Free | Families, games and an all-day brewery celebration |
| Bend Oktoberfest | Sept. 19 | Downtown Bend | Free | The biggest traditional community festival |
| Sunriver Oktoberfest Weekend | Sept. 25–26 | Sunriver | Main festival ticketed | A full weekend, families, race and getaway |
| McMenamins Oktoberfest + Specials | Sept. 18–Oct. 3 (main event Sept. 26) | Downtown Bend | Free main event; menu pricing for specials | Live music Sept. 26, German food and Oktoberfest drinks into October |
| UPP Liquids Pretzel Fest | Oct. 10 | Bend | Free | Pretzels, beer, live music, vendors and Oktoberfest-style fun |
Our pick if you only attend one: Bend Oktoberfest on September 19. It has the strongest mix of beer, food, live entertainment, ridiculous competitions and the Bark Bash dog races.
Our pick with kids: Worthy Brewing on September 19 or Sunriver Oktoberfest on September 26.
Our pick if you mostly care about German beer and food: Prost! Bend.
Our pick for a weekend trip: Sunriver Oktoberfest.
Bend Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, September 19, 2–9 p.m.
Where: Deschutes Historical Museum lawn, 129 NW Idaho Ave., downtown Bend
Admission: Free
Official site: Bend Oktoberfest
This is the main event and the one most people mean when they search for “Bend Oktoberfest.” The 2026 festival takes over the Deschutes Historical Museum lawn with beer, food vendors, live music, dog races and an entire block of wonderfully unnecessary competitions.
What is happening at Bend Oktoberfest?
2–4 p.m. - Bark Bash
- 2 p.m. - Wiener Dog Races
- 2:30 p.m. - Running of the Bulldogs
- 3 p.m. - Corgi Crush
- 3:30 p.m. - Mutt Strut Dog Show
The dog events are hosted with the Humane Society of Central Oregon. Race participants have breed-specific requirements, while the Mutt Strut is open to all breeds and mixes. Dogs participating in the organized events must meet the organizer’s vaccination requirements.
5–7 p.m. - Oktoberfest games and competitions
- Pretzel toss
- Stein holding
- Beer relay race
- Beer slide
- Barrel rolling race
- Costume contest
- Yodeling competition
The festival is free, but advance registration is required if you want to compete in the organized games. Registration can fill, so do not wait until you arrive if stein holding is the entire reason you are going.
7–8 p.m. - Live music
The Accordion Club of Central Oregon’s Fisarmonicats are scheduled to perform in the evening.
Beer and food
The event’s published beer list includes traditional German Oktoberfest selections such as Paulaner Fest Bier, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen and Hacker-Pschorr Dunkel, alongside the broader food and beverage lineup.
Food vendors are announced separately by the organizer, so check the official site close to the event rather than assuming a specific vendor will be there.
Is Bend Oktoberfest family-friendly?
Yes. The main festival is advertised as all-ages and family-friendly. The dog races in particular are an easy reason to go earlier in the day even if you are not interested in beer.
All Things Bend tip
If the dog races are your priority, get there before 2 p.m. If you care more about the games, beer and evening atmosphere, late afternoon into evening is the better window.
Oktoberfest at Prost! Bend
When:
Friday, Sept. 18: 3–11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19: 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20: 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Where: Prost! Bend, 40 SW Century Dr. #140
Admission: Free entry
Event details: Bend Magazine event listing
If you want something that feels less like a street festival and more like settling into an actual German beer hall, Prost! is probably the best Oktoberfest stop in Bend.
The three-day celebration is scheduled to include multiple Oktoberfest-style beers, German food, outdoor seating, music, hosted games, festive attire and commemorative steins.
Best for
- German beer fans
- Groups of friends
- A more food-and-drink-focused Oktoberfest
- People who cannot make the Saturday downtown festival
- Starting or ending a September 19 Oktoberfest crawl
Prost! already specializes in German beer and food year-round, which makes it one of the most natural places in town to celebrate Oktoberfest even outside the event weekend.
Worthy Brewing Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, September 19, 12:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Worthy Brewing, Bend
Admission: Free
Ages: All ages
Official calendar: Worthy Brewing Events
Worthy is running its own all-day Oktoberfest on the same Saturday as the downtown Bend Oktoberfest, giving families and east-side Bend residents another strong option.
The brewery’s announced 2026 lineup includes:
- Stein-holding contests
- Sack races
- Hammerschlagen
- German food
- Beer
- Bounce house
- Balloon artist
- Face painting
- Live music beginning at 4 p.m.
Best for
This is arguably the strongest kid-friendly Bend brewery Oktoberfest on the current 2026 calendar. It is also a good choice if you want a little more space and a brewery setting rather than the downtown festival crowd.
Can you do Worthy and Bend Oktoberfest on the same day?
Yes, but they are not next door to each other. If you want both, a good plan is Worthy earlier in the afternoon, then downtown Bend Oktoberfest for the 5–7 p.m. games and evening music. Use a designated driver or rideshare if you plan to drink at both.
Sunriver Oktoberfest Weekend
When: Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26
Where: Multiple locations around Sunriver; main Saturday festival at SHARC
Official weekend schedule: Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce
Main festival information: Sunriver Oktoberfest at SHARC
About 20–25 minutes south of Bend, Sunriver has turned Oktoberfest into a full weekend rather than a single beer-garden event. If you want an excuse to stay overnight, run a race, bring the kids or make a Central Oregon weekend out of it, this is the most complete option.
Friday, September 25
- 10 a.m.–3 p.m. - Oktoberfest Putt Putt Tournament fundraiser at Sunriver Resort
- 5–9 p.m. - Weekend kickoff and race packet pickup at Sunriver Brewing Company Taproom
- 6–8 p.m. - Live music at Century Commons
Saturday, September 26
- 9 a.m.–1 p.m. - Sunriver Saturday Market at SHARC
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunriver Meandering Mile for children 12 and younger
- 11 a.m. - Sunriver Oktoberfest 5K and 10K begin at SHARC
- Noon–5 p.m. - Main Oktoberfest celebration at SHARC
Main SHARC Oktoberfest admission
Published 2026 pricing for the main Saturday event is:
- Ages 0–3: free
- Ages 4–20: $5
- Ages 21+: $25
The 21+ ticket includes a Sunriver Oktoberfest glass beer mug. Food and drinks are sold separately.
The main celebration is set to include a beer garden sponsored by Sunriver Brewing Company, German-themed beers, food, music, family activities and televised college football.
Sunriver Oktoberfest 5K & 10K
The race takes place Saturday, September 26 on Sunriver’s paved paths. Walkers and strollers are welcome. Registered 5K and 10K participants receive $5 off admission to the SHARC Oktoberfest when they present their race bib.
See Sunriver Oktoberfest race details
Is Sunriver Oktoberfest worth the drive from Bend?
Yes, especially if you want more than just a couple hours of beer drinking. Between the race, market, kids event, main festival, golf fundraiser and Friday-night kickoff, Sunriver has the strongest weekend itinerary of any confirmed Oktoberfest celebration in Central Oregon this year.
McMenamins Old St. Francis School Oktoberfest
Main celebration: Saturday, September 26; live music from 1–9:30 p.m.
Oktoberfest specials: September 18 through October 3
Where: McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend
Admission: Free for the September 26 celebration; regular menu pricing for food and drinks
Ages: All ages
Official event page: McMenamins Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest specials: September 18–October 3
If you are staying in Bend on the second Oktoberfest weekend, you do not have to drive to Sunriver. McMenamins is hosting a free all-ages celebration at Old St. Francis School with Oktoberfest Lager, German-inspired food specials and a full day of live music at O’Kane’s. The main party is September 26, but the Oktoberfest food and drink specials continue through Saturday, October 3, so this is one of the few confirmed Oktoberfest options that actually carries into October.
The 2026 live music schedule is:
- 1–3 p.m. - Alicia Viani Group
- 3:30–6 p.m. - Brent Alan & His Funky Friends
- 7–9:30 p.m. - Bigfoot County
Published food specials include currywurst and fries, a German-inspired chicken sandwich, an Oktoberfest plate and Black Forest Bundt cake.
Best for
- A free second-weekend Bend event
- Live music
- Downtown visitors
- People who want a casual celebration rather than a ticketed festival
Oktoberfest-Style Events in October 2026
Most of Central Oregon’s events actually called “Oktoberfest” happen in September. But October is not empty. If your trip falls in October, these are the best confirmed beer-and-fall events that fit the same general vibe.
Pretzel Fest at UPP Liquids - October 10
When: Saturday, October 10, 5–9 p.m.
Where: UPP Liquids, 550 SW Industrial Way, Suite 185, Bend
Admission: Free
Official event page: UPP Liquids Pretzel Fest
This is not branded as a traditional Oktoberfest, but it is about as close as you can get in Bend once September is over. UPP Liquids is pairing its beer with homemade pretzels and adding live music from Mari and the Dream, local vendors, games and a stein-raising fall-festival atmosphere.
Fresh Hops on the Pond - October 2–3
When: Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3
Where: Bend Brewing Company, 1019 NW Brooks St., Bend
Event details: Visit Central Oregon
This is not an Oktoberfest, so we are keeping it out of the main Oktoberfest recommendations. But if your real goal is an October beer festival, it is worth knowing about. Bend Brewing Company’s two-day event is scheduled to feature 30+ fresh-hop beers from West Coast breweries plus live music.
Sisters Fresh Hops Fest - October 3
When: Saturday, October 3, noon–8 p.m.
Where: Three Creeks Brewing, Sisters
Event details: Visit Central Oregon
Another strong October option if you are willing to drive to Sisters. The festival focuses on fresh-hop beers from 20+ Oregon breweries, with live music, food carts and a fall beer-festival atmosphere.
Bottom line for October: For the most Oktoberfest-like option, go to UPP Liquids Pretzel Fest on October 10. For beer-focused fall festivals, Fresh Hops on the Pond and Sisters Fresh Hops Fest on October 2–3 are the strongest confirmed October choices.
Which Bend Oktoberfest Event Should You Choose?
Go to Bend Oktoberfest if…
You want the main community event, wiener dog races, stein-holding competitions, costumes and the biggest classic Oktoberfest atmosphere.
Go to Prost! if…
You mostly care about German beer, food and hanging out with friends. It is also the easiest option because it runs three days.
Go to Worthy if…
You have kids, live on the east side or prefer a brewery setting with family activities.
Go to Sunriver if…
You want to turn Oktoberfest into a weekend trip, run a 5K/10K, bring the family or combine the festival with other Sunriver activities.
Go to McMenamins if…
You want free live music and German-inspired food in Bend on September 26 without committing to the Sunriver event.
Best 2026 Oktoberfest Weekend Plan in Bend
If you are visiting for the September 18–20 weekend, here is an easy way to experience several events without overcomplicating it.
Friday, September 18
Start at Prost! Bend for the opening afternoon/evening of its three-day Oktoberfest.
Saturday, September 19
Choose your priority:
- Families: Worthy Brewing in the early afternoon, then Bend Oktoberfest downtown.
- Dog people: Go directly to Bend Oktoberfest before the 2 p.m. Bark Bash.
- Beer-focused: Prost! earlier, then Bend Oktoberfest in the late afternoon.
Sunday, September 20
Go back to Prost! for a more relaxed final day, or spend Sunday exploring Bend’s breweries and fall activities.
For more ideas, see our guides to Bend breweries, things to do in Bend and Bend restaurants.
Oktoberfest in Redmond, Sisters and Prineville
Central Oregon has hosted additional Oktoberfest events in prior years, including celebrations in Redmond and Prineville. However, as of this guide’s September 3, 2026 update, we have not found current official 2026 event details we are comfortable recommending for Redmond, Sisters or Prineville.
That is intentional. Older event pages and social posts are easy to find online, but they do not necessarily mean the event is returning this year.
If a confirmed 2026 event is announced, we will add it here.
Oktoberfest Planning Tips
Dress for a warm afternoon and cool evening
September weather in Central Oregon can swing quickly once the sun goes down. A dirndl or lederhosen may look great at 3 p.m., but bring a layer for later.
Do not assume every event has the same rules
Some events are completely free, while others charge admission or require advance registration for races and competitions. Check the event link before you leave.
Register for competitions ahead of time
Bend Oktoberfest’s organized games require advance registration, and Sunriver’s 5K/10K requires race registration. Showing up does not guarantee a spot.
Plan your transportation before drinking
Downtown Bend is walkable once you are there, but Worthy, Prost!, downtown Bend and Sunriver are separate destinations. Use a designated driver, rideshare or other safe transportation if you plan to drink.
Families have several good options
The main Bend Oktoberfest is family-friendly, Worthy has dedicated children’s activities, and Sunriver offers the broadest collection of family events.
Check schedules again before heading out
Event lineups, vendors, beer selections and weather plans can change. We link directly to organizer pages whenever possible so you can verify the latest details.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bend Oktoberfest in 2026?
The main Bend Oktoberfest is Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 2–9 p.m. at the Deschutes Historical Museum lawn in downtown Bend.
Is Bend Oktoberfest free?
Yes. Admission to the main Bend Oktoberfest is free. Some organized competitions require advance paid registration.
Is Bend Oktoberfest family-friendly?
Yes. The main Bend event, Worthy Brewing Oktoberfest, Sunriver Oktoberfest and McMenamins Oktoberfest are all promoted as all-ages or family-friendly events.
Are there wiener dog races at Bend Oktoberfest?
Yes. The Bark Bash runs from 2–4 p.m. on September 19 and includes the Wiener Dog Races, Running of the Bulldogs, Corgi Crush and Mutt Strut Dog Show.
Is there an Oktoberfest in Sunriver in 2026?
Yes. Sunriver Oktoberfest runs September 25–26, with the main SHARC celebration from noon–5 p.m. on Saturday, September 26.
Are there Oktoberfest events in Bend in October 2026?
Yes, although most of the events actually called Oktoberfest happen in September. McMenamins Old St. Francis School runs Oktoberfest food and drink specials through October 3, and UPP Liquids hosts Pretzel Fest on October 10. Bend Brewing Company’s Fresh Hops on the Pond runs October 2–3 if you are mainly looking for an October beer festival.
Are there Oktoberfest events in Redmond or Sisters in 2026?
We have not found a currently confirmed public 2026 event in Redmond that we are comfortable listing as an Oktoberfest. In Sisters, the Sisters Fresh Hops Fest is confirmed for October 3, but it is a fresh-hop festival rather than a traditional Oktoberfest.
What is the best Oktoberfest event near Bend?
For the traditional festival experience, choose Bend Oktoberfest. For families and a full weekend, choose Sunriver Oktoberfest. For German beer and food, Prost! is the strongest fit.
Hosting an Oktoberfest Event in Central Oregon?
If you are organizing a confirmed public Oktoberfest event in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, Prineville or elsewhere in Central Oregon, send us the current event details through our contact page.
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