Whitefish's annual Oktoberfest begins Sept. 26

The Great Northwest Oktoberfest will soon return to Depot Park Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5. 

Admission is $10 and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent. Tickets are available only at the gate. 

There will be authentic German beer, food, music and dancing. Entertainment will be provided by Europa, an American Oktoberfest band, as well Vancouver based S-Bahn. On Saturday afternoons, Flathead’s own German orchestra Bavarian Echoes will play.  

Other festivities include stein-holding contests, Beer Barrel Races, and doing the chicken dance. 

The festival kicks off Thursday, Sept. 26, with Locals Night. Flathead County residents with valid ID get in free. Saturday, Sept. 28, is family day with kids' activities from noon to 5 p.m. 

The festival website states that “Oktoberfesting is an inexact science” and that the schedule below is subject to change.  

Thursday, Sept. 26 

5:00 pm Oktoberfest officially opens 

5:30 pm Authentic Oktoberfest music (& more) by S-Bahn 

6:15 pm Keg-Tapping Ceremonies & the arrival of the Oktoberfest Hop Queen 

6:45 pm Mens’ and Ladies’ Stein-Holding Contests 

7:15 pm Great German dance music by S-Bahn 

8:30 pm Mens’ and Ladies’ Stein-Holding 

9:00 pm Encore performance by S-Bahn 

10:30 pm Last call! 

Friday, September 27 

5:00 pm      Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open 

5:30 pm      Great Oktoberfest music by S-Bahn 

6:45 pm      Mens’ and Ladies’ Stein-Holding Contests 

7:15 pm      Music from S-Bahn — Canada’s #1 Oktoberfest band! 

8:30 pm      Ladies’ and Mens’ Stein-Holding 

9:00 pm      Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by S-Bahn 

10:30 pm    Last call 

Saturday, Sept. 28 

12:00 pm      Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open, Kids Day activities from Noon to 5 pm 

12:30 pm    Mens 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      Mens Stein-Holding contest 

4:00 pm      Authentic Oktoberfest music by The Bavarian Echoes 

5:00 pm      Ladies Stein-Holding 

5:30 pm      Great Oktoberfest music by S-Bahn 

6:15 pm      Mens and Ladies Keg-Hurling  

6:45 pm      Mens’ and Ladies’ Stein-Holding 

7:15 pm      Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by S-Bahn 

8:30 pm      Ladies’ and Mens’ Stein-Holding 

9:00 pm      Music by S-Bahn 

10:30 pm    Last Call 

Wednesday, Oct. 2 

6-8 p.m. The “Hop Queen Qualifier” — The opening round of the 2024 Oktoberfest Hop Queen Pageant takes place at the Grouse Mountain Lodge at #2 Fairway Drive with music by The Europa Band. 

Thursday, Oct. 3 

5:00 pm      Oktoberfest officially opens for Week 2 

5:30 pm      The Europa Band 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 and more by The Europa Band 

7:30 pm      Ladies Stein-Holding Contest 

8:15 pm      Great dance music by The Europa Band 

9:00 pm      Crowning of the 2024-25 Hop Queen, Mens Stein-Holding 

9:30 pm      More music from The Europa Band 

Friday, Oct. 4 

5:00 pm      Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open! 

5:30 pm      Great Oktoberfest music by The Europa Band 

6:15 pm      Ladies’ Stein-Holding 

6:45 pm      Music by The Europa Band 

7:45 pm      Mens’ Stein-Holding Contest 

8:15 pm      Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by The Europa Band 

9:00 pm      Mens & Ladies’ Stein-Holding Contests 

9:30 pm      Music by The Europa Band 

Saturday, Oct. 5 

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 and 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 The Europa Band 

6:15 pm      Mens and Ladies Keg-Hurling Contests  

6:45 pm      Music by The Europa Band 

7:30 pm      Mens’ Stein-Holding Contest 

8:15 pm      Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by The Europa Band 

9:00 pm      Grand Finals — 2024 Stein-Holding Championships 

9:30 pm      Music by The Europa Band 

10:30 pm    Last Call