La Mesa Oktoberfest 2026: Dates, Events & What to Know

Overview

Grab your stein and head to La Mesa Oktoberfest from Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, for a weekend of food, music, dancing and Oktoberfest traditions.

Now in its 53rd year, the festival features three biergartens, German and international food, live entertainment, community games, a Ferris wheel, an artisan market and activities for kids and pets.

What You Need to Know

• Event: La Mesa Oktoberfest
• When: Friday, Oct. 2, 4–10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4, noon–8 p.m.
• Where: Historic La Mesa Village, La Mesa, CA
• Admission: Free
• Biergarten: $8; guests under 21 enter the biergarten for free
• Website: La Mesa Oktoberfest

What to Expect

The festival fills Historic La Mesa Village with three different biergartens, each offering its own atmosphere and entertainment. The Hofbräuhaus Biergarten brings traditional German beer, Oktoberfest games and live music, while the Craft Bier & Seltzer Garten combines local drinks with DJs and a more laid-back atmosphere.

New this year, the Prost & Play Garten offers a family-friendly biergarten where parents can enjoy food and drinks while kids take part in games, bounce houses and obstacle courses.

Visitors can also enjoy traditional German favorites, including bratwurst and pretzels, alongside international food options.

Music, Games and More

Live entertainment will take place across three stages throughout the weekend, featuring everything from traditional polka and German music to rock bands, DJs and cover bands.

For those looking to get competitive, Oktoberfest games include stein-holding contests, brat tosses, chicken hops, musical chairs and pretzel-eating competitions.

The festival also features Glücklich Games, an Oktoberfest-inspired competition where participants can test their strength and agility in challenges throughout the weekend.

Family and Pet-Friendly Fun

Oktoberfest isn't just for beer drinkers. Families can visit Kinder Village, which includes activities such as a pumpkin patch, flower crown making and other kid-friendly entertainment.

Four-legged visitors are welcome, too. Dackeldorf Dachshund Village celebrates the festival's canine guests with dachshund races, games and fashion shows.

A Ferris wheel and artisan market round out the festival experience, giving visitors plenty to explore between music, food and games.

Getting There

Parking around the festival is limited, so organizers encourage visitors to use public transportation when possible. The MTS Orange Line Trolley stops at La Mesa Boulevard Station, just steps from the festival's entrance.

Visitors can also use nearby park-and-ride locations, rideshare services or limited street and public parking around La Mesa Village.

For more information on transportation and parking, visit the La Mesa Oktoberfest transportation guide.

Whether you're looking for a festive night out with friends, a family-friendly fall activity or an excuse to break out your best Oktoberfest outfit, La Mesa Oktoberfest offers three days of Bavarian-inspired fun in the heart of East County.

For more upcoming festivals, concerts and things to do around San Diego, explore the Hello San Diego event calendar.