What To Know About The 2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival, Northern Minnesota’s Largest Oktoberfest Celebration
Ready or not, fall is here in the Northland, with temperatures in the forecast trending toward cooler days, and leaves are starting to turn to their autumn hues.
The return of fall also means the annual Duluth Duluth Oktoberfestival is back.
The 2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival is the seventh annual Oktoberfest event at Bayfront Festival Park, with fun for the entire family. As always, there will be live music, authentic Bavarian food, games, and (of course) beer!
While the first thing that may come to mind when you think of an Oktoberfest event might be beer, there really is a lot for the entire family to enjoy, even for those not drinking beer.
Here's what to know about the 2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival:
When is the 2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival?
This year's event starts on Friday, September 18, and runs through Sunday, September 20 at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth.
Friday's festivities get underway at 4 pm, going until 11 pm.
Saturday, gates open at 11 am, and visitors are welcome until 11 pm.
Sunday, which is the event's dedicated family day, opens at 11 am and runs until 4 pm.
Alcohol sales will end a half hour before each day's closing time.
What's going on at the 2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival?
As always, there is a lot planned! There's a schedule of live music and entertainment, games and activities, and food and beverages to enjoy. Here's a breakdown of some of the highlights:
2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival Music & Entertainment
There's a huge schedule of fun live music planned for this year's event.
The Lake Superior Brass Ensemble kicks off the event at the main gates from 3:40 pm until 4:20 pm on Friday, and then the schedule of acts gets underway, with acts scheduled throughout the weekend.
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Those acts include the Jolly Zuk Brothers, Alpensterne, Junk FM, Polka-Zeit, Pop Rocks!, and The Bockfest Boys.
You can see the full schedule here and learn more about the bands here.
Dachshund Derby
One of the Sunday highlights is back again this year, happening outside of the tent at Bayfront. For the Dachshund Derby, members of the public can enter their weiner dog into the competition for the fifth annual race, with dogs of all ages welcome to participate.
This year's opening races start at noon, with the semifinals and finals following the early races.
You can learn more about the race and how to enter your dog here.
Der Kinderplatz (Children's Activities)
Der Kinderplatz, which translates to "the children's place", includes a variety of kids' activities and entertainment throughout the weekend.
This year's Kinderplatz will include inflatables and a bounce house, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and German games throughout the weekend. Plus, on Sunday, there will be a petting zoo with pony rides and a kids' stein-holding contest as part of the family day.
Inflatables will be open Friday from 3 pm until 8 pm, Saturday from 11 am until 8 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. Der Kinderplatz activities will be available both Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4 pm, with the other family day activities, like the petting zoo, available from 11 am until 4 pm on Sunday.
Adult Games & Activities
The fun and games aren't just saved for the kids! Adults will have games available, including things like cornhole, stein-holding contests, Nagelbaken, barrel rolling, and a barrel toss. You can see this year's roster of adult games and activities here.
Food & Beverages
What would an Oktoberfest celebration be without food and 'bier'? This year's Duluth Oktoberfestival will offer authentic German fare around the grounds, including food items, Paulaner Bier, and Jagermeister.
You can see the beer varieties available from Paulaner here, plus there will be some Jägermeister drinks.
The food items will include bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, spaetzle, black forest stew, pork wings, pretzels, schnitzel, and apple crisp. You can learn more about the food here.
2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival Tickets
Tickets are on sale now, and come in a few different types:
- Youth Day Pass (15 & under) - Free, must be accompanied by an adult
- Designated Driver/Underage Day Pass - Free; anyone with this ticket will not be allowed to consume alcohol, regardless of if they are of legal age.
- Single-day Pass (21+) - $10 in advance, $20 the week of the event
- Comes with 1 Bier Token & Limited Edition ½ Liter Super One/Jagermeister Plastic Stein
- Upgraded Day Pass (21+) - $55 in advance, $65 the week of the event
- Comes with 2 bier tokens, 1 Limited Edition 1 Liter Ceramic of Glass Paulaner Collector Stein, 1 Limited Edition Collector Coin
- College Student Pass - Free with a college ID. Students 21+ will get a free 1/2 liter plastic Paulaner cup for bier. Those under 21 will just get free admission.
Learn more about the tickets or buy them here.