What To Know About The 2025 Edition Of Northern Minnesota’s Largest Oktoberfest Celebration

The annual fall tradition returns to Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park this September, with fun for the entire family planned!

The sixth annual Duluth Oktoberfestival is scheduled for September 12-14, 2025 with live music, authentic Bavarian food, games and fun for the entire family, and (of course) beer!

I know I've touched on it a couple of times already, but I want to stress that even though there is beer, this is way more than just a drinking fest. There are activities and things for kids and families as part of the weekend. There really is something for everyone waiting for this year!

Here's a rundown of what to know about the 2025 Duluth Oktoberfestival.

When is the 2025 Duluth Oktoberfestival?

This year's event starts on Friday, September 12, and runs through Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth.

Get our free mobile app

• Friday, the event kicks off with the Lake Superior Brass Ensemble doing a ceremony at the entrance to the event from 3:40 pm to 4:20 pm. Events continue until 11:00 pm.
• Saturday, gates open at 11:00 am, with festivities going until 11:00 pm.
• Sunday, gates open at 11:00 am and things wrap up for the weekend at 4:00 pm.

What's going on at this year's Duluth Oktoberfestival?

In short, a lot! There's food & drinks, live music, games and activities, and more! Here's a look at what to expect this year.

2025 Music & Entertainment

One of the big pieces of the event each year is the live music under the big-top tent. There's music each of the three days of Duluth Oktoberfestival, with a variety of acts hitting the stage.

READ MORE: What to know about Duluth's newest cocktail and food destination, Duluth Whiskey Project

Acts like Alpensterne, Junk FM, Gasper Krek, and The Bockfest Boys are scheduled to play several times through the weekend. You can see the full schedule here and learn more about the bands here.

Dachshund Derby

The Dachshund Derby returns once again this year, happening outside of the tent on the Bayfront grounds. Members of the public can enter your weiner dog into the competition for the fourth annual race, with dogs of all ages welcome to participate.

The entire event is held on Sunday, September 14, with the quarterfinals getting underway at noon pm, with the semifinals and finals following the semifinals.

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", will feature free activities for the kids throughout the weekend. Some of the fun includes inflatables and bouncy house, arts and crafts, petting zoo, pony rides, German games and even a kids stein holding contest.

The inflatables and bouncy house will be open Friday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm Saturday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The remainder of the Kinderplatz will be open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:00 pm.

Sunday, September 14 is Essentia Health Family Day, which will feature a petting zoo, pony rides, kids stein holding competition, and a kids passport to win prizes.

You can learn more about the kids activities and schedule here.

Adult Games & Activities

The kids can't have all of the fun! This year's roster of adult games and activities includes cornhole, stein-holding contests, Nagelbaken, barrel rolling, and a barrel toss.

Food & Beer

What would an Oktoberfest celebration be without food and 'bier'? As always, the Duluth Oktoberfestival offers authentic German fare around the grounds, including Paulaner Bier and Jagermeister.

There will be a handful of beer varieties from Paulaner on tap, which you can see here. There will also be non-alcoholic options on-site, too!

On the food side of things, Black Woods Grill & Bar has partnered with Duluth Oktoberfestival to offer a range of authentic German good items like bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, spaetzle, Black Forest Stew, pork wings, pretzels, schnitzel, and apple crisp. You can learn more about the food options here.

2025 Duluth Oktoberfestival Tickets

Tickets are on sale now in a few varieties:

• Youth Day Pass (15 & under) - Free, must be accompanied by an adult
• Designated Driver/Underage Day Pass - $5 in advance & week of the event
• Single-day Pass (21+) - $10 in advance, $20 week of event
  • Comes with 1 Bier Token & Limited Edition ½ Liter Jagermeister Plastic Stein
• Upgraded Day Pass (21+) - $55 in advance, $65 week of event
  • Comes with 2 bier tokens, 1 Limited Edition 1 Liter Ceramic Paulaner Collector Stein, 1 Limited Edition Collector Coin

A couple of additional notes:

• All College Students (18+) are FREE at this year's event with a student ID (general admission)
  • College Students 18-20 years old will receive admission only, while college Students 21+ will receive a free ½ Liter Paulaner Cup, which can then be used for bier.
• A new addition for 2025: You can get a 1/2 liter Duluth Oktoberfestival logo-branded ceramic collector stein. There are only 150 that were made for 2025> these can be purchased from the event's ticket page.

Learn more about the tickets or buy them here.