Prost! Raise a Glass to Oktoberfest

Dust off your lederhosen and dirndl because Oktoberfest is here, and you don’t need to go all the way to Germany to experience the annual 16-day festival. Here in the DMV, the yearly celebration of pretzels, beer and all things German has grown, with loads of events happening at beer gardens, breweries and restaurants near you. Take a look at our list and PROST!

DC
Heurich House Museum Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 17, 1-4 p.m.
Heurich House Museum partners with the DC Brewers Guild for their annual Oktoberfest celebration, with nine DC beers on tap, brats on the grill, homemade pretzels, live music and more. 1-4 p.m. Buy general admission tickets for $60 and VIP tickets for $75; both can be purchased online.   Christian Heurich Mansion : 1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW, DC;  www.heurichhouse.org  

District Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 17 – Sunday, September 18
Gallery Place/Chinatown turns into Germany for the weekend, with admission including a full 12-oz. serving of an Oktoberfest edition beer at each of the six participating venues. Enjoy entertainment, food and liquor pairings, and more throughout the weekend, with a portion of all proceeds going to local charities.  District Oktoberfest: Six participating bars around DC; www.districtoktoberfest.com

“Sauftoberfest” Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 17 – Sunday, October 2
Dupont’s Sauf Haus is kicking off Oktoberfest with its first ever Sauftoberfest season, with three weeks of daily events to celebrate. Enjoy $8 Oktoberfest flights all day, every day, with 16 German draft beers to choose from. Try your hand at the stein-hoisting challenge or pretzel-eating contest; participate in tastings, giveaways and more. Sauf Haus Bier Hall & Garden: 1216 18th St. NW, DC; www.saufhausdc.com

Biergarten Haus Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 17 – Sunday, October 2
Celebrate Oktoberfest at Biergarten Haus on H Street with ceremonious keg tappings every weekend, featuring 11 additional Oktoberfest drafts on top of their regular 12 drafts offered. Pair your brew with the Biergarten Haus sausage platters, made by third-generation German butchers, or other classic German dishes.  Biergarten Haus:1355 H St. NE, DC; www.biergartenhaus.com  

Wunder Garten
Saturday, September 17 – Sunday, October 2
New to the NoMA neighborhood as of last month, Wunder Garten is here to stay, with a multi-year lease and plans to operate year-round, including Oktoberfest. Head there for an impressive German beer selection, rotating lineup of local and regional craft beers, live music, DJs, tastings and more.  Wunder Garten: 1st and L Streets, NE, DC;www.wundergartendc.com

Virginia
Oktoberfest Parking Lot Party
Friday, September 9, 2-10 p.m.
Saturday, September 10, 12-9 p.m.
Port City couldn’t wait for Oktoberfest this year, so they are throwing their Parking Lot Party a week early. Enjoy two days of live music, local food truck fare and delicious Port City brews. Event runs 2-10 p.m. on Friday, and 12-9 p.m. on Saturday.  Port City Brewing Company: 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandra, VA; www.portcitybrewing.com

Hoppy Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 24, 12-6 p.m.
Mad Fox turns Market Square into a biergarten with live music, grilled food and some of the region’s top IPA and Oktoberfest beers. Admission is free, but get your tasting tickets early – early bird general admission is $25, and includes six tastings, and early bird VIP includes 10 tastings and unlimited food until 5 p.m. Mad Fox Brewing Company:444 West Broad St. Suite I, Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com  

Oktoberfest at Capitol City Brewing Company
Saturday, October 1, 12-7 p.m.
Capitol City hosts its 17th annual Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest with more than 65 breweries giving out samples, local food vendors, including delicious authentic German food, music and more. 12-7 p.m. Admission is $30 for beer sampling, and free for non-drinkers.  Capitol City Brewing Company: 4001 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA;www.capcitybrew.com

Maryland
Das Best Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Taste over 150 beers, wines and schnapps, while listening to awesome music and eating your way through bratwurst, potato pancakes and more. Wear German attire and get a free souvenir bag, or get a group together to dress up for the chance to win a $300 prize. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Advanced general tickets are $29 for an unlimited beer sampling; VIP tickets are $49 for unlimited wine and beer sampling, plus two extra sampling hours.  Das Best Oktoberfest: 300 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD;www.dasbestoktoberfest.com  

Oktoberfest at the Kentlands
Sunday, October 9, 12-5 p.m.
he City of Gaithersburg presents the 25th annual Oktoberfest at Kentlands, covering an impressive reach of Kentlands Village Green, the grounds of Kentlands Mansion, Main Street and Market Square. Enjoy wine tasting, featuring local Maryland vineyards, a beer garden, food vendors, six stages of entertainment and more. 12-5 p.m. Kentlands Market Square: 821 Center Point Way, Gaithersburg, MD;www.gaithersburgmd.gov