How to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Raleigh, North Carolina

A variety of Oktoberfest celebrations are held at several venues located throughout Raleigh, North Carolina. The most notable is the Raleigh Oktoberfest sponsored by St. Raphaels Catholic Church and the Oktoberfest at Greenshields Brewery. These 2-day events occur on separate weekends and present the pageantry and tradition of the original Bavarian festival, ranging from a scaled down version of the famous Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen's Parade to live performances from large oompah bands. Each venue features a beer tent that serves German beers, wines and foods from around the world. Plan a weekend around these two Oktoberfests or visit a local restaurant, bar or nightclub that is hosting an Oktoberfest night to celebrate this German-themed party in style.

Instructions

Experience Oktoberfest Activities

1. Visit the Greenshields Brewery and enjoy your favorite Bavarian beer, or sample the many North Carolina home brews that the onsite Beer Master has prepared for Oktoberfest.

2. Devour huge links of bratwurst while enjoying German music and folk dancing by local artists and performers.

3. Celebrate Oktoberfest with thousands of visitors in the Greenshields Biergarten, in the cobblestone streets of Raleigh's City Market.

4. See a show by The Little German Band and Dancers on the Greenshields main stage.

5. Walk the fairgrounds and take in the sights and sounds of Oktoberfest with vendor booths offering food, beverages and games in the carnival-like atmosphere.

6. Sign up to participate in one of the many German-themed contests at these events. The keg tapping contest and the stein holding contest are both challenging competitions. The most popular competition at the Greenshields Brewery, though, is the beer drinking contest.

7. Attend the Raleigh Oktoberfest which takes place each year in the parking lot and main hall at Saint Raphael's Catholic Church and School.

8. Join in on the dance floor for the traditional chicken dance.

9. Participate in competitive games such as the beer barrel roll or the beer stein race.

10. Make new friends and celebrate Oktoberfest by learning drinking songs from the around the world in the beer tent.

Tips & Warnings

• Most Oktoberfest events grant entry on a first come first serve basis.

Resources

• Celebrate North Carolina's Raleigh Octoberfest