From authentic German food to live entertainment and wiener dog races, Southlake Oktoberfest is back for its 15th year in Southlake Town Square October 7-9.
In a perfect, walkable location, the family friendly event is one of the largest German-inspired festivals in the area and the largest annual event in Southlake, having grown from an estimated 15,000 in attendance during its first year to an expected 100,000 people this year. With free parking and admission, guests are encouraged to come and enjoy what has developed into a favorite fall attraction for the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area.
With a variety of exciting elements, here are a few don’t-miss activities at Southlake Oktoberfest:
Hosted by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and presented by Grubbs Infiniti, the City of Southlake has also been a dedicated partner in the event since its inception in 2001 – providing financial support and police and fire department presence throughout the festival. With many City staffers volunteering their time on the planning committee and during the event, Southlake Oktoberfest truly is a community-wide effort.
Southlake Oktoberfest hours of operation are Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although parking at the event is free, additional free parking and a shuttle service will be available at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church over the weekend. Shuttles will run continuously to and from Southlake Town Square.
For additional information, contact the Southlake Chamber of Commerce at 817-481-8200 or visit www.OktoberfestSouthlake.com.
The 13th annual Oktoberfest Southlake will soon return to Southlake Town Square during October 3-5. Hosted by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and presented by Texas Nissan of Grapevine, the family friendly event is one of the largest German-inspired festivals in the area. Attendance is expected to exceed 80,000 people this year. With free parking and admission, everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy this community event that offers everything from live entertainment to wiener dog races.
Live entertainment will take place throughout the weekend on two stages. Several of last year’s entertainers will perform, including as Micah Blalock, Brave Combo and School of Rock, as well as newcomers The Space Rockers, Blue Finger Disco and Back in Black.
Located in the middle of the festival, Die Festalle, or the Festival Hall Tent, will provide seating, food, beer and wine, and will house one of the entertainment stages. Offering everything from authentic German cuisine to traditional fair food, a total of 18 food vendors will be stationed throughout the event.
Nearly 60 area arts and crafts exhibitors will offer hand-crafted products for sale, including jewelry, furniture and artwork.
The Sports Zone will offer numerous activities, including football tosses, scooter races, free throw contests, snag golf and athletic tests. There will be multiple video gaming stations inside the GameStop tent. College and NFL games will be aired on the 9×16 foot GoVision big screen outdoors. The Sports Zone will also be home to the Biergarten, or Beer Tent, where popular radio personality Adam Bomb will emcee contests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4.
The Kid Zone will provide entertainment for children, including games, train rides, a bounce house, face paintings, and a towering rock climbing wall. Although the festival as a whole offers free admission, admittance to the Kid Zone requires a wrist band, which may be purchased for $10 at any ticket booth during the event.
Street performers, including a magician, a juggler, a clown, a flag twirler and a stilt walker will make their way through the festival streets, providing amusing entertainment for all guests.
The wildly popular wiener dog events will take place on Saturday morning of the festival, beginning with the costume parade at 9:30 a.m. and races at 10:00 a.m. Dachshund owners may register their dogs online for a $20.00 entry fee or on site for a $25.00 entry fee.
Oktoberfest Southlake hours of operation are Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, contact the Southlake Chamber of Commerce at 817-481-8200 or visit www.OktoberfestSouthlake.com.
One of the area’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations is gearing up for its 12th year during October 4-6 at Southlake Town Square. Highlighting this year’s German-inspired festival are the wildly popular wiener dog races, live entertainment all weekend, and bratwurst and beer will be served in the Die Festalle tent. Presented by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and Texas Nissan of Grapevine, approximately 75,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event. Admission and parking are free.
As one of the most popular Oktoberfest celebrations in Dallas-Fort Worth, Southlake Oktoberfest is a fun family event with activities for both adults and children:
More than 180 dogs participated in the wiener dog races last year, which will take place Saturday, October 5, beginning with the costume parade at 9:45 a.m. and races start at 10:00 a.m. Registration can be done online or onsite starting at 8:30 a.m.
Swiss alpine horns will kick-off the festivities Friday at 5:00 p.m. on the steps of Southlake Town Hall. Live entertainment will take place throughout the weekend on two stages, including both local performers and regional bands:
New this year is “Battle of the Bands” presented by School of Rock in Southlake. Six bands, comprised of School of Rock student musicians, will perform 15 minute sets beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday on the Festival Hall Stage (next to Tyler’s). The audience will vote for its favorite via a Twitter hash tag and the winning band will be announced that evening.
Southlake Oktoberfest is free admission to the public. Hours of operation are Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information regarding Oktoberfest, contact the Southlake Chamber of Commerce at 817-481-8200 or visit www.OktoberfestSouthlake.com.