You won’t have to travel to Germany to experience all the fun and excitement of Oktoberfest, as La Mesa is playing host to its very own take on the Bavarian festivity.
Oktoberfest is the perfect event to soak up the vibrant beer garden atmosphere, sample sought-after beers, and devour traditional German cuisine.
More than a beer festival, La Mesa Oktoberfest is a family-friendly event that welcomes San Diegans of all ages.
Keep reading for all the important details and information for attending La Mesa Oktoberfest.
La Mesa Oktoberfest Dates
Oktoberfest in La Mesa is set to take place over three days, from Friday, October 2nd – Sunday, October 4, 2026. Hours are 4 pm – 10 pm on Friday, 10 am – 10 pm on Saturday, and 12 pm – 8 pm on Sunday.
The festival takes over La Mesa Village along La Mesa Boulevard, a short walk from the La Mesa Boulevard trolley station. Pick up your tickets on their official website: La Mesa Oktoberfest.
Passes & Prices
Here’s the good news: getting into La Mesa Oktoberfest costs nothing. The festival is free and open to all ages, so you can wander the village, watch the dachshund races, ride the Ferris wheel, and shop the Artisan Market without spending a cent.
What you pay for is the beer. A Biergarten Pass is $8 and gets you into all three biergartens — the Hofbräuhaus Biergarten, Hop Haus on Palm, and the Craft Bier & Seltzer Garten. Anyone under 21 gets in free. You buy it at the door on the day; it isn’t sold online.
If you’d rather skip the lines, the Hofbräuhaus Biergarten sells VIP passes in advance, and they sell out every year — often well before the weekend. Every VIP pass includes the Biergarten Pass for all three gardens, plus a dedicated VIP entrance, a VIP-only bar, extra restrooms, and front-of-the-line privileges.
For those Over 21:
- $15 — the VIP perks on their own.
- $35 — VIP perks plus two 16 oz beers.
- $45 — everything above, plus a 53rd Anniversary commemorative stein and a chicken hat.
- $49 — the same, but trade the chicken hat for a flower crown or an alpine hat. The festival puts the value at $70.
For the Under 21 Crowd:
- $10 — VIP entrance, VIP restrooms, front-of-the-line, two root beers or waters, and your pick of a chicken hat, alpine hat, or flower crown.
- $20 — the same with a chicken hat.
- $25 — the same with a flower crown.
Things To Do At La Mesa Oktoberfest
Listen to Live Music & Hit The Dance Floor
All three days, all three biergartens have something going on.
The Hofbräuhaus Biergarten main stage runs the widest range: Polka Party plays traditional Bavarian sets between every act, and around them you’ll get cover and tribute bands working through Motown, country, classic rock, Latin rock, nineties hits and Beatles singalongs, with a DJ closing out the night.
Hop Haus on Palm keeps traditional oompah music going all day and turns over to DJs after dark — there’s a dance party from 8 pm on Friday and karaoke from 7 pm on Saturday.
The Craft Bier & Seltzer Garten is the mellower one, with local San Diego DJs all weekend.
The lineup shifts every year, and the festival posts the full schedule by stage and set time.
Cheer On The Cutest Pups at The Dachshund Race
Bring your pooch to the Dackeldorf Dachshund Village, where there will be a range of events for you and your four-legged friend. This is sure to get you in the La Mesa Oktoberfest spirit.
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The doggie village is open to all breeds, featuring races, fashion shows, and even a yodeling contest for pups to show off their finest tricks.
Each event will take place daily during the festival, with doggie goodie bags and prizes up for grabs. Contest categories include the Best Hot Dog, Best Matching Costume, and many more for participating pups.
Do Some Shopping at The Artisan Market and Food Fair
A haven for craft lovers and a fantastic way to support small businesses, the Artisan Market is a treasure trove of handmade jewelry, accessories, candles, and more.
Local and regional crafters create all the products from scratch. Plus, there are lovely souvenirs to remember La Mesa Oktoberfest.
Finally, you won’t want to miss out on the delicious German fare while you’re here.
Keep The Kids Entertained At The Kinder Village
Oktoberfest at La Mesa is more than great beer and live music, with plenty of activities at the Kinder Village lined up for the little ones.
Your kids will look forward to face painting and balloon artists, and there will even be a caricaturist and henna tattooist on site.
For kids who are constantly full of energy, inflatable slides and obstacle courses will keep them busy. There’s even a toddler-friendly inflatable for younger children.
Take On Your Family & Friends At The Glücklich Games
Are you feeling competitive?
The Glücklich Games are a series of good-spirited contests that test your strength and endurance, with events for men, women, and children.
Go head-to-head with your loved ones or face off against your fellow Oktoberfest-goers. Traditional challenges include keg lifting, tug of war, and tire flipping.
If you’re up to the task, head to registration at La Mesa Boulevard.
La Mesa Oktoberfest FAQs
Yes. The festival is free to enter and open to all ages — the Artisan Market, the Ferris wheel, Kinder Village, the Glücklich Games and the dachshund races don’t cost anything.
The biergartens are the part you pay for. A Biergarten Pass is $8 at the door and covers all three; under 21 is free. It’s sold on site only, so there’s nothing to book ahead unless you want VIP.
It’s the easiest way in. Take the MTS Orange Line to La Mesa Boulevard Station and it’s a six-minute walk east along La Mesa Boulevard — about a third of a mile, and you walk straight into the festival.
One thing to know for 2026: MTS fares go up on October 1st, the day before the festival opens. A one-day PRONTO pass is $7, up from $6. Up to two children aged five and under ride free with a paying passenger any day, and on Saturday and Sunday that extends to two children aged 12 and under per fare-paying adult — which covers most of the Oktoberfest weekend. Reduced fares are available for seniors and riders with disabilities; check the MTS site for the current rate.
To avoid congestion, it’s best to take advantage of park-and-ride options.
You’ll find park-and-ride at the following trolley stations: Spring Street, Grossmont Transit Center, and Amaya Drive.
Dogs are more than welcome at La Mesa Oktoberfest. There are even events to get your pup involved in the celebrations, such as the Dackeldorf Dachshund Village and the Dachshund Race, costume contests and much more.
No, there is also the El Cajon Oktoberfest (September 25-27 & October 2-4, 2026), the Ocean Beach Oktoberfest (October 9-10, 2026), Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire (September 27, 2026), East Village Oktoberfest (September 19, 2026), Blacktoberfest (October 10, 2026, and an Oktoberfest-themed cruise on Mission Bay on October 9, 2026)
Not for the festival, and not for the biergartens — both are handled at the gate on the day.
The Hofbräuhaus VIP passes are the exception. Those are sold in advance and they sell out every year, with Friday and Saturday going first. If VIP is the plan, book it now rather than turning up hoping.
Friday, October 2nd: 4 pm to 10 pm.
Saturday, October 3rd: 10 am to 10 pm.
Sunday, October 4th: 12 pm to 8 pm.
Saturday is the long day and the busiest one. If you want the festival at its liveliest, go Saturday evening; if you’re bringing small children or you’d rather not queue, Sunday afternoon is the gentler choice.
Only up to a point, and this is new for 2026. Strollers aren’t allowed inside the Hofbräuhaus Biergarten or the Craft Bier & Seltzer Garten after 5 pm. There’s free stroller parking outside both entrances, but it’s unattended, so don’t leave anything in the basket you’d miss.
Hop Haus on Palm is the family-friendly biergarten, and the rest of the festival is stroller-friendly throughout. If you’re coming with a little one, do the biergarten part of your day in the afternoon.
Very. Kinder Village has face painting, balloon artists, a caricaturist, inflatable slides and obstacle courses, and a toddler-friendly inflatable for the smallest visitors. There’s a Ferris wheel, the Glücklich Games have kids’ categories, and the dachshund races are a hit with everyone.
Under 21s get into the biergartens free, and there are Under 21 VIP passes if you want the skip-the-line perks without the bier.
As one of the festivities San Diegans have been enjoying for 53 years, La Mesa Oktoberfest continues to top its previous celebrations and is a lively affair to enjoy in the company of friends and family.
Who said you have to go all the way to Germany to enjoy Oktoberfest and all the traditional Bavarian festivities?
For more fall festivities around San Diego, check out 8 Ways to Celebrate Fall in San Diego, Halloween in San Diego, and Events and Things to Do in San Diego in October.
Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Maria Haase
