It’s September, and that means … Oktoberfest! Look, we know it’s confusing, but we didn’t make up the timeline for this historic celebration, which began in 1810 with the wedding feast of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in Munich. The party lasted five days, and ever since then, Germans around the world continue to celebrate it each fall. Surly Brewing is taking things to another level this year, offering an entire menu of Oktoberfest specials through Sept. 21, which is the date of their version of the festival — called SurlyFest, of course. Here are some local Oktoberfests that we think are worth checking out — at least they’re where we’ll be celebrating. Prost! SurlyFest A giant pierogi topped with red cabbage and pastrami is on the menu at Surly until Sept. 21. SurlyFest takes place on Sept, 21 in the brewery’s giant beer garden. (Courtesy of Lisa Antony-Thomas) This festival, held in Surly’s sprawling beer garden, includes non-polka live music, Surly versions of Oktoberfest food (don’t miss the giant pierogies topped with stuffed cabbage, melt-in-your-mouth pastrami or schnitzel) and of course, Surly’s crisp version of Oktoberfest beer as well as other Surly favorites. They’re offering dirndl and lederhosen crafting, stein-holding competitions and more. Admission to the Sept. 21 fest is free, and the event runs from 11 a.m. until midnight. Surly Brewing Company: 520 Malcolm Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; surlybrewing.com/event/surlyfest-2024/surlybrewing.com/beer/surlyfest Twin Cities Oktoberfest The biggest local Oktoberfest, held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, features a plethora of live music performances. The No. 1 North American German dancing group, SG Edelweiss, will be performing both days of the fest on the weekend of Oct. 4-5. There will also be performances by Elk River German Band, Shirts and Skins Band, Josh Norman Musik Miesters, Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen, The Stand Ups and many more. All the German food you can think of will be there. Vendors include Gerhard’s Brats, Aki’s Breadhaus offering traditional German baked goods, Pierogi2Gogi, German-style chicken and turkey legs served by Big Guys BBQ and sweet and savory pies from Sara’s Tipsy Pies. The events run from 5-11 p.m. on Friday and 12-10 p.m. on Saturday. All ages are welcome and tickets are available now. The Minnesota State Fairgrounds: 1265 Snelling Ave., St. Paul; tcoktoberfest.com Utepils Brewing Utepils is celebrating Oktoberfest on Sept. 20-21, holding a variety of events (even kid-friendly ones!) in their tap room, beer garden and parking lot. Northeast Pretzels and Gerhard’s Brats are serving both days. Purple People Feeder and Hopper’s Mini donuts join the party on Saturday. There is free admission on Friday, where happy hour lasts from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and there is a free meat raffle and music by Uncle Muskrat. On Saturday, admission is free until 2 p.m. After that, it is $8 unless you’re wearing traditional German attire. There are multiple contests, including a stein-holding contest for both adults and kids, a pretzel-eating contest and a best dressed contest. After all the activities, from keg tapping to polkarobics, Some Sh*tty Cover Band will end the evening. Utepils Brewing: 225 Thomas Ave N Minneapolis; utepilsbrewing.com/events/oktoberfest-2 Waldmann’s Oktoberfest For two weekends at Waldmann (Sept. 20-22 and Sept. 27-29), there will be 28 musical performances from Tom Retka & The Jolly Huntsmen to Adam Sandhurst and the Jolly Jammers playing Minnesota German polka and German-American brass. SG Edelweiss will be making an appearance here as well. To break up all the dancing, there are women’s stein-holding competitions. Kids can play as actors in live storytelling by Gustav Doc’Tain, and everyone can enjoy the zPuppets Rosenschnoz show. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and younger. Waldmann: 445 Smith Avenue Saint Paul; waldmannbrewery.com/oktoberfest/ Malcolm Yards Marketober The second annual Marketober will occur at the market at Malcolm Yards on Sept. 29. There will be beer samples from 16 local breweries, including their Oktoberfest beers. Guests receive a free pint of beer at the Boxcar Bar, and entry into a raffle. On the patio, Mr. Paul’s Po’ Boys and Jams will serve bratwurst po’ boys, Martes Tacos will offer pretzels with the choice of queso or mustard and Schell’s Brewing will host Bock Poking. Tickets are $15. The Market at Malcolm Yards: 501 30th Avenue SE Minneapolis; malcolmyards.market/event/marketober/ Fulton Oktoberfest Fulton Oktoberfest goers can enjoy a variety of specialty Bavarian-based beers, including Fulton’s own Oktoberfest Festbier released on Aug. 12. Bands like Doctor Kielbasa, Richie Yurkovich & Polkarioty and Alperstein Band will perform as well as SG Edelweiss. Fulton’s Kitchen and Lowry Hill Meats will offer foods from juicy bratwursts and gigantic Bavarian pretzels. There are activities for all ages with a tent dedicated to kids, stein hoisting and a brat toss. Fulton Oktoberfest, the weekends of Sept. 20-21 and 27-28, uses tokens only. Before then you can attend the Stein Swap from Sept. 7-17, where you can trade gently-used steins in good, drinkable condition for tokens. One stein equals one token, limit 10 steins per person. Otherwise, admission is free and tokens used for food and drinks are available to purchase. Fulton’s NE Brewery: 2540 2nd St. N.E., Minneapolis; fultonbeer.com/events/fulton-oktoberfest Gasthaus Oktoberfest With beers imported from Munich, Germany, you can hop into Gasthaus Oktoberfest on Sept. 20-22. There will be all sorts of food from potato salad to strudel, live music from the Bill Koncar Band and Sunday is packed with activities for the kids. On the flier, you will see a tribute to Artie Schaefer, the polka voice for Gasthaus Oktoberfest who passed in 2022. Stefani Kiihn of Roseville, Minnesota won the corresponding logo contest for the fest in June. Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter: 8390 Lofton Ave N, Stillwater; gasthausbavarianhunter.com/2024-oktoberfest/ Smorgie’s: It’s Oktoberfest at Smorgie’s, the affordable eatery across from the Xcel Energy Center, from Sept. 21-Oct. 6. Come in your lederhosen or dirndl and receive a free Oktoberfest beer, then enjoy specials like the Jager Schnitzel for just $12 — $15 with a Paulaner Oktoberfest, or Schnitzel Sticks for $8. Single pints of Oktoberfest are just $5. Smorgie’s: 127 W. 7th St., St. Paul; smorgiesbar.com   Related Articles Restaurants, Food and Drink | Let’s celebrate! 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