Every fall, Big Bear Lake transforms into a slice of Bavaria for one of the most beloved traditions in Southern California — Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest.

From early September through early November, guests gather over several festive weekends to raise a stein, dance to lively polka, and savor bratwurst, pretzels and brews.

This year, Big Bear Lake is in the running for the top Oktoberfest celebration in the nation, according to a USA Today poll.

A panel of experts nominated Big Bear as one of the top 20 Oktoberfest celebrations for the USA Today 10Best Reader Choice Awards. According to experts, it was chosen for its appreciation of German culture and heritage, featured events and entertainment, and selection of German beer and food.

Now, it's up to readers to vote for their favorite German celebration in North America.

Ensure District 23 is represented in the top 10 best Oktoberfests as chosen by USA Today by voting once per day at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-oktoberfest/ until voting ends on Monday, Sept. 8 at 12 p.m. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The origins of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest began in 1810 when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese, and they threw a festive, beer-infused party to celebrate. Today, this German festival is recreated in cities across the U.S. each fall.

The original Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Germany, over a two-week period ending on the first Sunday in October. The mayor of Munich taps the first keg to open the festival.

According to Statista, around 7 million liters of beer were consumed last year during the Munich Oktoberfest. The beer-centric celebration not only fuels cultural interest but also boosts participant economies, including the Big Bear celebration, which typically sells out.

A snapshot of previous Big Bear Oktoberfest performers.

Celebrate with Big Bear

Oktoberfest in Big Bear is a hoot. Last year alone, the mountain town sold 2.5 tons of Sauerkraut, approximately 34,000 pretzels, there were 558 Chicken Dances and enough beer was consumed to fill two gas tankers.

Additionally, if the amount of consumed sausages were lined up, the row would reach 1.5 miles in length. If the amount of sausages consumed in the past 54 years were lined up, there would be enough sausages to extend from Big Bear Lake to Yermo.

This year marks Big Bear's 55th Oktoberfest celebration. There will be two bands from Germany who are scheduled to perform at five weekends of the event’s nine-weekend stretch. Oktoberfest organizers say the German bands "help echo the same tone and pageantry of the original Bavarian Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany."

Other bands will include Southern California’s top German bands Die Sauerkrauts and Ladyhosen, which features international yodeling sensation Kathrin Jakob.

There are two full-service bars located inside the Convention Center and four different bier gartens outside, including the Tiki Bar, which provides a variety of microbrews and craft beer, ideal for beer connoisseurs.

The bratwurst and knockwurst are from a German butcher in Glendale, and fresh apple strudel and pretzels are delivered weekly from a German bakery in Newport Beach, according to organizers.

The authentic Bavarian-style Oktoberfest event in Big Bear is set for 10 consecutive weekends, Sept. 6 to Nov. 8, 2025. To purchase tickets online, visit BigBearEvents.com.

Previous Big Bear Oktoberfest celebrations have been filled to the brim with excited participants.

Ticket deals and specials for Big Bear Oktoberfest

Club Prost

This is a new addition to the ticket booth this year. The ticket option includes exclusive perks like unlimited admission for the member plus one guest, an annual commemorative 1-liter stein that comes with a drink ticket, access to VIP entry, and preferred seating for the member and the member’s plus one.

“We started throwing ideas around how we could give back to our most loyal guests with something extraordinary for our 55^thanniversary celebration, and sure enough, Club Prost was born,” said Monica Marini, director of Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest.

“The other new ticket programs we’re rolling out this year are ‘Saturday After Dark,’ which is an amped-up German-style party on Saturday nights in October, and we enhanced our Sundays with a sports-theme called ‘Game-Day Sundays.’”

Saturday After Dark

Saturday After Dark is for the adults. The daytime fun transitions to Big Bear's biggest party of the year. The amped-up German party begins at 7:30 p.m.

Expect dancing, drink specials, fun contests, and games of skill. There will be plenty of raised steins during the Ein Prosit and a Chicken Dance or two.

Saturday After Dark tickets in October are $25 — $9 less than general admission.

Game-Day Sundays

Sundays at Oktoberfest are more relaxed. Guests wearing a sports jersey will receive $5 off general admission at the door. Sundays are also known as family-fun days, and this year, kids 12 and under are free.

Other ticket options include general admission, preferred seating, and Über Bürgermeister party packs.

The log sawing competition gets competitive at Big Bear Oktoberfest celebrations.

Beer Tasting Fridays

Beer Tasting Fridays is another new addition this year. Beer tasting will feature a wide variety of micro-beers and seltzers from across the West Coast. Beer Tasting Fridays are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3, and Friday, Oct. 24.

The weekend festivities take place at Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. For more information on ticket prices or general information, visit BigBearEvents.com or call 909-585-3000.

McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Prost! Big Bear is in the running for the best Oktoberfest celebration in the nation