2026 Dates, Times & Location

 

Thursday, October 1 5 to 11 p.m.
Friday, October 2 5 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 12 noon to 11 p.m.

Thursday, October 8 5 to 11 p.m.
Friday, October 9 5 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, October 10 12 noon to 11 p.m.

The Great Northwest Oktoberfest is set to return to Depot Park in beautiful downtown Whitefish, with plenty of free parking available in-and-around the downtown area!

 

Admission

 

2026 INFORMATION TO BE CONFIRMED. COME BACK EARLY NEXT FALL FOR MORE DETAILS!

Admission is $10; and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent. 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. Entertainment will be provided by Europa — one of America’s most sought-after Oktoberfest bands — as well polkas, oom-pahs and more by local talents: The MAC Band, Hungry 5, and Accordion Bob & Co. And on Saturday afternoons, it’s the Flathead’s own German orchestra, the Bavarian Echoes!

Then it’s time for you to get into the act by entering one of our nightly stein-holding or log-sawing contests, hurling kegs on Saturday evening, putting together a team for the Beer Barrel Races, or doing the chicken dance! And don’t forget …

Thursday, Oct. 1 is “Locals Night” — Flathead County residents (with valid ID) get in free of charge for our Opening Night extravaganza!

Saturday, Oct. 3 is “Family Day” —  Kids 12 and under (with parents) get in free for a full afternoon of festivities outdoors in the Oktoberfest Beer Garden.

 

Contests & Activities

 

2026 INFORMATION TO BE CONFIRMED. COME BACK EARLY NEXT FALL FOR MORE DETAILS!

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')

  • Keg Hurling

  • Log Sawing

  • 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:

Oct. 7-8 — The 2026 Oktoberfest Hop Queen Pageant
Join us at Grouse Mountain Lodge (located at #2 Fairway Drive) from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 8 for the “Hop Queen Qualifier,” to meet the Hop Queen candidates and enjoy music by The Europa Band.  Then be under the Bigtop on Thursday Oct. 9 to cast your vote, and see who wins the crown! 

Oct. 10 — Montana State Stein-Holding Championships
Be in front of the Main Stage at 9 p.m. sharp, when the top stein-holders from across the Big Sky State square-off for the first-ever “State Championships” … and a trip to the U.S. Steinholding Association’s National Championships in November!
 

 

General
(but important!)
Info

 

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.