Oktoberfest might not sound like a family event, but these Portland-area celebrations offer plenty for kids, from carnival rides and bounce houses to crafts, games and wiener dog races. Grown-ups can enjoy the German-style food, live music and, of course, beer. Prost!
Ridgefield Lions Oktoberfest
Head across the river for live music, traditional German food, beer, cider and wine at Ridgefield Lions Oktoberfest. Saturday is the family-focused day, with a kids’ zone for children ages 12 and younger, plus wiener dog races, a craft market, cornhole and more.
When: Friday, September 11, 4-10 pm; Saturday, September 12, noon-10 pm
Where: Abrams Park (400 Abrams Park Rd., Ridgefield)
Admission: $25 general admission; $10 for ages 13-20 and designated drivers; free for ages 12 and younger. Online fees may apply.
Bethany Village Oktoberfest
Dust off your lederhosen and dirndls and head to Bethany Village for an afternoon of live German music, dance performances, German-inspired food, a beer tent, local vendors and activities for kids.
When: Saturday, September 12, 1-5 pm
Where: Bethany Village Centre (4720 NW Bethany Blvd., Portland)
Admission: Free!
Oktoberfest at the German Haus
Celebrate Oktoberfest with the German American Society of Portland! Expect German-style brews, delicious German food, live music, dancing, entertainment and family fun at the German Haus.
When: Saturday, September 12, noon-9 pm
Where: German Haus (5626 NE Alameda St., Portland)
Admission: $9 general admission; $23 for admission, a stein and one drink ticket. Ticketing fees apply.
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
The area’s biggest Oktoberfest is about an hour from Portland, but it’s well worth the drive. The multi-day celebration includes live music, German food, arts and crafts, street dancing, car shows and wiener dog races.
Families won’t want to miss the free Kindergarten area, open Friday through Sunday from 11 am-5 pm. Activities include pony rides, a hay maze, petting zoo, face painting, balloon art, bounce houses, rock climbing, a giant slide and train rides.
When: Thursday-Sunday, September 17-20; hours vary by activity and venue
Where: Downtown Mt. Angel
Admission: Many events and the entire Kindergarten area are free. Admission to the three premium entertainment venues is $15 Thursday and Sunday and $20 Friday and Saturday for guests ages 21 and older. Minors enter those venues free with a parent or guardian during family hours.
Elktoberfest in Vancouver
For Vancouver families, there’s Elktoberfest, hosted by Vancouver Elks Lodge 823. This all-ages celebration brings beer, brats and bands to the lodge’s big backyard, along with traditional German food, a vendor marketplace and kids’ carnival games.
When: Friday, September 18, 4-10 pm; Saturday, September 19, 2-9 pm
Where: Vancouver Elks Lodge 823 (11605 SE McGillivray Blvd., Vancouver)
Admission: $10
OrencoFest
Head to Hillsboro for this free, family-friendly harvest festival featuring food trucks, artisan vendors, kids’ activities and live music throughout the day. The entertainment lineup includes an Alice in Wonderland youth performance and a line-dancing lesson. Grown-ups can also test their strength in the Masskrugstemmen beer stein-holding contest.
When: Saturday, September 19, noon-7 pm
Where: Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station (943 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro)
Admission: Free! The beer stein-holding contest costs $22.
Oaks Park Oktoberfest
Oaks Park’s three-day celebration combines authentic German food and beer with live polka music, traditional dancing, cooking demonstrations, wiener dog races and craft vendors. Kids can visit the Kinderplatz for games and hands-on activities, then add amusement rides, roller skating or mini golf to the day.
When: Friday-Sunday, September 25-27. Friday: 4-10 pm; Saturday: 11 am-10 pm; Sunday: 11 am-7 pm
Where: Oaks Amusement Park (7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland)
Admission: Gate admission is $7.50 for guests 48 inches and taller and $4.50 for guests under 48 inches. Admission with rides is $44.45/$23.45. Everyone ages 3 and older needs an admission ticket or ride bracelet. Parking is $4.
Estacada Oktoberfest
Pumpkin painting, pie eating and polka music? You’ll find all this, plus a costume contest, traditional food and beer, at Estacada Oktoberfest. This community celebration is free and family friendly.
When: Saturday, September 26, 11 am-7 pm
Where: Downtown Estacada
Admission: Free!
Kennedy School Oktoberfest Brewfest
Oktoberfest meets a McMenamins brewfest at this celebration featuring 24 German-style beers and ciders, German food and live music. Guests who dress in German attire will receive a prize. This event is centered on beer tasting, but minors are welcome with a parent or guardian.
When: Saturday, September 26, 1-7 pm
Where: Kennedy School Gymnasium (5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland)
Admission: For guests ages 21 and older, $35 in advance or $40 on the day. Admission includes 10 tasting tokens and a brewfest glass.
McMenamins Edgefield’s Oktoberfest
At McMenamins Edgefield’s Oktoberfest in Troutdale, you’ll find two stages of live music, German-inspired food specials, face painting, a balloon artist and the once-a-year McMenamins Oktoberfest Lager. The accompanying plant sale features Edgefield-grown plants, produce and seeds, plus local vendors selling native plants, honey, houseplants and more.
When: Sunday, September 27, 11 am-7 pm. Plant sale: 11 am-5 pm
Where: McMenamins Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale)
Admission: Free!
Happy Valley Oktoberfest
Happy Valley welcomes fall with a full day of live entertainment, festive food, local vendors and activities for all ages. Cheer on the wiener dog races, compete in the Chicken Dance Contest or visit the kids’ pumpkin patch and petting zoo. Families can also enjoy games, crafts and wagon rides.
When: Saturday, October 3, 11 am-7:30 pm
Where: Happy Valley Park (13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd., Happy Valley)
Admission: Free!
Occidental Oktoberfest
Celebrate in the shadow of the St. Johns Bridge at Occidental Brewing’s Oktoberfest. Enjoy live brass music, a stein-holding contest, food for purchase and plenty of Festbier, plus fresh-hop beers and nonalcoholic options.
When: Saturday, October 10, noon-9 pm
Where: Occidental Brewing (6635 N Baltimore Ave., Portland)
Admission: Free for kids and nondrinkers; $15 includes a mug and one beer. Additional beers are $7.
