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In 1996, Lord Mayor Christian Ude of Germany officially sanctioned the Frankenmuth Octoberfest celebration, making it the only city outside of Munich to receive such an honor.  In homage, Munich-based brewer Hofbrauhaus became the festival’s official sponsor, making this the first city in the U.S. to import the German Beer.  Dubbed Michigan’s Little Bavaria, the city is as head-to-toe German as an American city can get, from its cuckoo-clock store to the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion, a scaled-down version of an authentic German beer hall.  (German beer halls can hold 10,000-20,000 people; the pavilion holds a mere 5,000.)  The German bands performs annually and authentic German fare is served daily.  The music and entertainment begins around noon and ends as late as midnight.  On Saturday, Wiener-dog races are always a crowd pleaser at the Oktoberfest.  Head to the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion at the stroke of 1 p.m. on Saturday.  Fifty to 100 dachshunds are positioned on one side of the pavilion floor and let loose in the hopes that they’ll race to the other side.  Sometimes they cooperate; sometimes they don’t.  But the sight and sound of hundreds of thundering dachshund feet as the herd bounds across the floor of a German beer hall-short legs flying and oversized ears flapping draws a dedicated crowd of spectators every year.

(800) 386-3378  

When is the Oktoberfest 
September 20-23, 2012

Hours of Festival
Thursday 3pm-10pm
Friday Noon-Midnight
Saturday Noon-Midnight
Sunday Noon-6pm

Oktoberfest Location 
Oktoberfest is located at 
Heritage Park  
601 Weiss street
Frankenmuth, Mi 48734

Parking at the Oktoberfest
Parking is free at the Oktoberfest.  Parking is located right on the festivals grounds, as you arrive at Heritage Park.

Dancing at the Oktoberfest 

Dancing at the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest is on a 68’ X 60’ wooden dance floor. 

Traditional Foods at the Oktoberfest

A large selection of ethnic food and beverage specialties are available throughout the Festgrounds along with American items.  

Oktoberfest Prices, Tickets, Bus Groups

Admission to the Oktoberfest is 8.00 per adult.  12 and under are free. 
Sunday all day is Free. 

 
Purchase Tickets 
You may purchase tickets at the front gate the day of the event. 

 
Bus Groups
Bus groups must fill out your group package online, fax back or mail in. Tickets can only be purchased ahead of time for groups larger than 20.  Discounts only apply to groups 20 or more.