Are you ready to enjoy some great German Food, Drinks, Music, Dancing and so much more? The Great Northwest Oktoberfest 2022 will take place September 22 through 24 and September 29 through October 1, 2022, at the Depot Park in downtown Whitefish. There will be lots of contests including a Stein Holding, Log Sawing, Keg Hurling and Kids’ Chicken dance. But, don’t forget about the great food and beer to be enjoyed as well. Learn more at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest 2022 – http://www.whitefishoktoberfest.com/
Great Northwest Oktoberfest 2022 Details
Great Northwest Oktoberfest 2022 Admission
Admission is $8; kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent. Great Northwest Oktoberfest 2022 Tickets are available only at the gate, but have no fear … there’s plenty of room for all!
Get ready for authentic German beer, food, music and dancing, with entertainment provided by Europa — one of America’s most sought-after Oktoberfest bands — as well as Pech und Schwefel, direct from the Austrian Alps! And on Saturday afternoons, it’s the Flathead’s own German orchestra, the Bavarian Echoes!
Then it’s time for you to get into act, by entering one of our hourly audience participation contests, like log sawing, stein holding, or chicken dancing. And don’t forget…
Thursday, Sept 22 is “Locals Night” — Flathead County residents (with valid ID) get in free of charge for our Opening Night extravaganza!
Saturday, Sept. 24 is “Family Day” — Kids 12 and under (with parents) get in free for a full afternoon of festivities outdoors in the Oktoberfest Beer Garden.
Date, Times & Location
Thursday, Sept. 22 5 to 11 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 5 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 24 12 noon to 11 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 29 5 to 11 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 5 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 1 12 noon to 11 p.m.
The Great Northwest Oktoberfest is set to return to Depot Park in beautiful downtown Whitefish this year, with plenty of free parking available in-and-around the downtown area!
Addition general information:
Leave Fido at home: Sorry, no pets allowed at Oktoberfest.
Parking: Due to parking availability (& to save gas!) we recommend carpooling to Oktoberfest.
ATM: Cash is King at Oktoberfest … so we’ll have ATM machines available on-premises for festival-goers.
Contests and Activities
Oktoberfest is chock full of fun contests & activities on both weekends!
Contests:
There are tons of crazy contests to participate in or to just watch from the sidelines, cheering your favorite contestant on to victory! We’ll have:
Stein Holding (Mens’ & Womens’)
Log Sawing (Mens’ & Womens’)
Keg Hurling
Kid’s Chicken Dance Contests [Saturdays at 2:45pm]
There’s no entry fee, and participants can sign up 1/2 hour before each contest at the table to the left of the Oktoberfest stage. (No sign up necessary for the Chicken Dance Contest.)
Special Competitions:
Sept. 28-29 — The 2022 Oktoberfest Hop Queen Pageant
Join us at the Firebrand Hotel on from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday Sept. 28 for the “Hop Queen Qualifier,” to meet the Hop Queen candidates and enjoy music by Pech und Schlefel. Then be under the Bigtop on Thursday Sept. 29 to cast your vote, and see who gets crowned!
Oct. 1 — Men’s and Ladies Stein-Holding Grand Championships
Be in front of the Main Stage at 9 p.m. sharp, when the top finishers from this year’s stein-holding competitions square-off for the “Grand Championships,” and a shot a winning a spot in next year’s Hofbrau Stein-Holding National Championships in New York City!
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 22
5:00 pm Oktoberfest officially opens! • Local’s Night – Flathead residents 21 & older get in free!
5:30 pm Back by popular demand… The Europa Band
6:15 pm Keg-Tapping Ceremonies & the arrival of the Oktoberfest Hop Queen • Mens Stein-Holding Contest
6:45 pm Polka, Oom-pah, & more by Europa
7:45 pm Ladies Stein-Holding Contest
8:15 pm Great dance music by Europa
9:00 pm Men’s Stein-Holding
9:30 pm More great music by The Europa Band
Friday, September 23
5:00 pm Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
5:30 pm Great Oktoberfest music by Europa
6:15 pm Men’s Stein-Holding Contest
7:00 pm Music by The Europa Band
7:45 pm Ladies Stein-Holding
8:15 pm Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by Europa
9:00 pm Men’s & Ladies Stein-Holding Contest
9:30 pm Music by The Europa Band
Saturday, September 24
12:00 pm Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open! • Kids Day activities from Noon to 5 pm
12:30 pm Men’s Stein-Holding Contest
1:00 pm Great German music by The Bavarian Echoes
2:00 pm Ladies Stein-Holding contest
2:00-5:00 pm Pet a Clydesdale from the Clydesdale Outpost!
2:30 pm Polka, waltzes, & more with The Bavarian Echoes
3:15 pm Kids Day Chicken Dance Championships
3:30 pm Men’s Stein-Holding contest
4:00 pm Authentic Oktoberfest music by The Bavarian Echoes
5:00 pm Ladies Stein-Holding
5:30 pm Great Oktoberfest music by Europa
6:15 pm Men’s and Ladies Keg-Hurling
6:45 pm Music by The Europa Band
7:30 pm Men’s Stein-Holding Contest
8:00 pm Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by Europa
8:45 pm Ladies Stein-Holding
9:30 pm Music by The Europa Band
10:30 pm Last Call!
Thursday, September 29
5:00 pm Oktoberfest officially opens for Week 2!
5:30 pm Direct from Austria… Pech und Schwefel takes the stage!
6:15 pm Keg-Tapping Ceremonies & the arrival of the Oktoberfest Royalty • Mens Stein-Holding Contest
6:45 pm Polka, Oom-pah, & more by Pech und Schwefel
7:30 pm Ladies Stein-Holding Contest
8:15 pm Great dance music by Pech und Schwefel
9:00 pm Crowning of the 2022-23 Hop Queen! • Mens Stein-Holding
9:30 pm More great music from Pech und Schwefel
Friday, September 30
5:00 pm Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
5:30 pm Great Oktoberfest music by Pech und Schwefel
6:15 pm Ladies’ Stein-Holding
6:45 pm Music by Pech und Schwefel
7:45 pm Men’s’ Stein-Holding Contest
8:15 pm Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by Pech und Schwefel
9:00 pm Men’s & Ladies’ Stein-Holding Contests
9:30 pm Music by Pech und Schwefel
Saturday, October 1
12 noon Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
12:30 pm Men’s Stein-Holding Contest
1:00 pm Great German music by The Bavarian Echoes
2:00 pm Ladies Stein-Holding contest
2:30 pm Polka, waltzes, & more with The Bavarian Echoes
3:15 pm Kids’ Day Chicken Dance Championships
3:30 pm Men’s Stein-Holding contest
4:15 pm Authentic Oktoberfest music by The Bavarian Echoes
5:00 pm Ladies Stein-Holding
5:30 pm Great Oktoberfest music by Pech und Schwefel
6:15 pm Men’s and Ladies Keg-Hurling Contests
6:45 pm Music by Pech und Schwefel
7:30 pm Men’s’ Stein-Holding Contest
8:15 pm Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by Pech und Schwefel
9:00 pm Grand Finals — 2022 Stein-Holding Championships!
9:30 pm Music by Pech und Schwefel
10:30 pm Last Call — we’ll see you in 2023!
Music
The Europa Band
One of the top Oktoberfest bands in the country — Europa — is back by popular demand for their 10th year, providing authentic Oktoberfest music like no other! John, Milan and Adam travel coast-to-coast each Fall playing at Oktoberfests from Montana to Florida and back again, cranking-out the oom-pah, polka and waltzes … along with a bit of country, gypsy fiddle and Carlos Santana!
Europa takes the stage from 5:30-11 p.m. the first weekend of Oktoberfest, Sept. 22-24. Check out the band and their music at: http://www.theeuropaband.com/
Pech und Schwefel
This year we’re excited to welcome Pech und Schwefel — a four-piece band from the Austrian Alps who play at top Oktoberfests across Europe and the world! They’ll be touring the U.S. this fall, entertaining Oktoberfesters from coast to coast with a unique mix of traditional Bavarian favorites and their signature country/rock/polka-fusion! Check out their website at www.pechundschwefel.at
The Bavarian Echoes
Taking the stage on Saturday afternoons from 1-5 p.m. are the Bavarian Echoes, the Flathead Valley’s own 20-piece Oktoberfest Orchestra. Check them out under the Oktoberfest Bigtop … and have the kids close-by at 2:45 p.m., for the Chicken Dance Championships!
Food
A half-dozen great local food trucks and mobile vendors will be on-hand for the festival, including:
406 BBQ (Menu)
Tico’s Tacos (Menu)
Montana Mountain Dawgs (Menu)
Piroshki Palace (Menu)
KnucklHed BBQ (Menu)
Dave’s Gelato (Menu)
Drinks & Beer
Hofbrau Beers on-tap:
Oktoberfest
Dunkel
Original Lager
Hefeweizen
Bayern Brewery beers on-tap:
Bayern Oktoberfest
Amber Lager
St. Walter Hefeweizen
Pilsner Lager
Dragon’s Breath Dark Hefeweizen
Wine, seltzer, cider, N/A beer, water & soda will also be available for non-beer drinkers
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Whether you are a local or a visitor, we have all the insider information on the best places to check out every day of the week. Check out our Events Calendar – HERE – and get in the buzz!
