2026 Schedule of Events
Please Note — Oktoberfesting is an inexact science. Our schedule is subject to change, so don’t pin your hopes & dreams, bet the farm, and/or plan your vacation around that fact that the scheduled events will take place at the exact times as stated. It is — at best — a rough estimate.
Weekend 1
Thursday, October 1
5:00 pm Oktoberfest officially opens! • Local’s Night – Flathead residents 21 & older get in free!
5:30 pm Authentic Oktoberfest music (& more) by The MAC-toberfest Band!
6:15 pm Keg-Tapping Ceremonies & the arrival of the Oktoberfest Hop Queen
6:45 pm Polka, dance tunes & more by The MAC-toberfest Band!
7:45 pm Ladies’ Log-Sawing; Mens’ Stein-Holding
8:15 pm Great dance music by The MAC-toberfest Band!
9:00 pm Mens’ and Ladies’ Stein-Holding
9:30 pm More great music by The MAC-toberfest Band!
10:30 pm Last call!
Friday, October 2
5:00 pm Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
5:30 pm Great Polka music & more by The MAC-toberfest Band!
6:30 pm Mens’ Log-Sawing Contest; Ladies’ Stein-Holding
7:00 pm Oktoberfest music by The MAC-toberfest Band!
7:45 pm Ladies’ Log-Sawing; Mens’ Stein-Holding
8:15 pm Polka, oom-pah and more by The MAC-toberfest Band!
9:00 pm Ladies’ and Mens’ Stein-Holding
9:30 pm Oktoberfest dance set with The MAC-toberfest Band!
10:30 pm Last call!
Saturday, October 3
12:00 pm Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open! • Kids Day activities from Noon to 5 pm
12:30 pm Great Polka music & more by The Bavarian Echoes
1:30 pm Mens’ & Ladies’ Stein-Holding Contest
2:00 pm Polka, waltzes, oom-pah & more with The Bavarian Echoes
3:00 pm Kids Day Chicken Dance Championships
3:15 pm Mens’ & Ladies’ Stein-Holding Contest
3:45 pm Polka music & more by The Bavarian Echoes
4:45 pm Mens’ & Ladies’ Log-Sawing Contests
5:30 pm Oktoberfest music & more with The MAC-toberfest Band
6:00 pm Mens’ & Ladies' Keg-Hurling
6:30 pm Mens’ Stein-Holding Contest & Ladies’ Log-Sawing
7:15 pm Oktoberfest music by The MAC-toberfest Band
8:00 pm Mens’ Log-Sawing & Ladies’ Stein-Holding
8:30 pm Music by The MAC-toberfest Band
9:15 pm Ladies’ and Mens’ Stein-Holding
9:45 pm Oktoberfest dance set with The MAC-toberfest Band
10:30 pm Last Call!
Weekend 2
Wednesday, October 7
6-8 p.m. The “Hop Queen Qualifier” — The opening round of the 2026 Oktoberfest Hop Queen Pageant takes place at the
Grouse Mountain Lodge — #2 Fairway Drive — with music by The Europa Band!
Thursday, October 8
5:00 pm Oktoberfest officially opens for Week 2!
5:30 pm Bavarski 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 Bavarski
7:30 pm Ladies’ Log-Sawing Contest & Mens’ Stein-Holding
8:00 pm Great dance music by Bavarski
9:00 pm Crowning of the 2026-27 Hop Queen! • Mens’ & Ladies’ Stein-Holding
9:30 pm More great music from Bavarski
10:30 pm Last Call!
Friday, October 9
5:00 pm Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
5:30 pm Great Oktoberfest music by Bavarski
6:15 pm Ladies’ Stein-Holding & Mens’ Log-Sawing
6:45 pm Music by Bavarski
7:45 pm Mens’ Stein-Holding Contest & Ladies’ Log-Sawing
8:15 pm Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by Bavarski
9:00 pm Great Northwest Oktoberfest Steinholding Championships - Mens’ & Ladies’
9:30 pm Music by Bavarski
10:30 pm Last Call!
Saturday, October 10
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 Bavarski
6:15 pm Mens’ and Ladies’ Keg-Hurling Contests
6:45 pm Music by Bavarski
7:30 pm Mens’ Stein-Holding Contest
8:15 pm Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by Bavarski
9:00 pm 2026 Montana State Stein Holding Championships!
9:30 pm Music by Bavarski
10:30 pm Last Call — we’ll see you in 2027!