Tulsa Oktoberfest Upgrades Experience for Its 43rd Year

Tulsa Oktoberfest, consistently rated as one of America’s Top Oktoberfests by numerous national media outlets including USA Today and Fodor’s Travel, is bringing authentic Bavarian food, culture and entertainment to Tulsa’s River West Festival Park for its 43rd year, October 20-23, 2022. Tickets are on sale now at tulsaoktoberfest.org.

2022 Tulsa Oktoberfest Poster

This iconic Oklahoma celebration features bands and entertainers from across the U.S. and Germany, classic German and European foods, carnival rides, children’s entertainment and activities, an arts and crafters market, German-themed games, activities and contests, eleven stages of entertainment, and over 100 varieties of bier (beer).

“Our focus is on presenting the most authentic celebration of German culture at Tulsa Oktoberfest and we’re thrilled to be adding new Bavarian style programming, structures and décor to the venue,” said Tulsa Oktoberfest Board Chair, Scott Mitchell. “After the success of introducing several new ticketed events last year, we are eager to bring back those experiences, including Abend im FestZelt, an authentic, full-service dining and entertainment evening straight out of Munich. We can’t wait to share the tradition and all that’s new at Tulsa Oktoberfest.”

New elements to this year’s celebration include:

• Seven new structures and chalets reminiscent of old Bavaria
• New mascot, “Dash” the Dachshund
• The oldest existing brewery in the world, Weihenstephan Brewery (founded in 1022)

All admission tickets and packages must be purchased online in advance of arriving at the gate. Gates open Thursday at 4 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. General admission tickets are $15, with children 12 and under admitted free.

Admission ticket packages are available to meet every budget, including FC Tulsa VIP Terrasse passes, Autobahn and Schnelle Packs which include admission, MassKrug, Zeeco’s Family Friday Free Day and more. All tickets can be purchased here.

Pre-Festival events and Festival packages immerse festival goers further into one of the most truly authentic German Oktoberfests in the country.

These private, ticketed events include:

• Abend im Festzelt (Evening in the Festival Tent) – Nicknamed the “Biermeister’s Ball,” this private, ticketed event will be held in Der Lufthansa Technik BierGarten on Tuesday, October 18 from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. and features an authentic three-course meal, Wurstbrett (charcuterie board), entertainment and more. Full tables and individual seats are available for purchase here.
• Corporate Night “Gemütlichkeit!”: Nearly 500 Tulsa area businesses support this sell-out event each year, a primary fundraiser for Tulsa Oktoberfest Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission “to produce an authentic celebration of the German culture and support Tulsa’s River Parks”. Gemütlichkeit will be Wednesday, October 19 from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Table reservations (30 guests) are available here.

Thursday, October 20

Ein Abend mit Freunden und Familie (Friends and Family Night)

Guests can reserve tables for friends and family on Thursday, October 20 from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Activities that evening include the Parade of Brewers, the Tapping of the Ceremonial First Keg and spectacular fireworks over the Arkansas River. A limited number of tables are set aside in each zelt (tent) for reservation, and each table reservation includes a commemorative MassKrug and a first fill for your guests. Reservations are available here.

Opening Ceremonies and Parade

Join us Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. for the Opening Ceremonies and Parade, and O’Zapft Is (It’s Tapped!), where sponsors, City of Tulsa BurgerMeister (Mayor), board members and volunteers tap the ceremonial keg, officially opening the 2022 fest, followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Lederhosen Lauf 5k Race

The Lederhosen Lauf is scheduled for Thursday, October 20 at 7:20 p.m. This approximately three-mile race begins and ends at River West Festival Park in the Oktoberfest Games Arena, taking participants along River Parks trails. All finishers will receive a commemorative KleinKrug (small stein) along with one free 16-ounce beverage voucher. Prizes will be offered for the best costume, so authentic Bavarian apparel is encouraged. More information about the Lederhosen Lauf and a registration link can be found here.

Friday, October 21

“Zeeco Friday Family Free Day”

Free gate admission on Friday, October 21 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Registration is required, but tickets are free. Reservations can be made here.

Saturday, October 22

Bavarian Cup (Bayerische Tasse) Team Challenge

Teams of four people (minimum of two women) will compete for the Goldenes Fass (Golden Barrel) Award on Saturday, October 22 in four intense games: the legendary Bier Barrel Race, the MassKrug Relay, the Strong Stein Hoist and a Mystery Competition to be revealed on-site.

Team registration is $152 and includes admission, commemorative MassKrug and first fill for four team members. Only 20 teams can be accepted. All participants must be 21 years of age or older to compete. More information on the Tulsa Bavarian Cup and team signup can be found here.

Sunday, October 23

Frühstück auf dem Oktoberfest (Breakfast at Oktoberfest)

Bring the entire family for this special breakfast in the expanded Paulaner Bier Stube that will feature our own authentic German Blaskapelle, German Dancers and many other performances on Sunday, October 23 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tickets include admission for the full day of activities, a complete German breakfast and beverage of your choice. Reserve your tickets here.

Dachshund Dash

The wiener dog race always draws an energetic crowd and dozens of four-legged competitors. There is more than $650 in prize Fest Money up for grabs. The race is free to enter, but an admission ticket ($15) must be purchased separately. Pre-registration is also required. Activities are set to begin on Sunday, October 23 at 1 p.m. with the Costume Parade followed by the race in the Karbach Games and Competitions Arena. More information about the Dachshund Dash presented by Woodland West Animal Hospital and Pet Resort and a link to registration can be found here.

Music and Entertainment:

Tulsa Oktoberfest features almost 40 live acts, including two bands from Germany, AlpenFetzer and Dorfrocker. The four large tents will feature traditional Bavarian style music and dancers, polka bands, local Oklahoma bands, yodelers and more! Grammy-nominated and recent Polka Association’s Hall of Fame Award winner accordionist Alex Meixner will be performing throughout the festival. Das ist Lustig and dancers returns for German Gemütlichkeit and Chardon Polka Band will, of course, Polka On! A full lineup of German bands and entertainment can be viewed here.

Das Glockenspiel

Costumed dancers, musicians, and comedians perform every hour on the hour with lively skits, prosting, schuplattlering and songs at Das Glockenspiel. Giveaways and promotional items are tossed to spectators and specialty beverages will also be available at this iconic structure.

Jugendzelt

Der KinderPlatz is the home of children’s activities and entertainment at Tulsa Oktoberfest. Daily entertainment, crafts, games and entertainment are featured at Jugendzelt, presented by Pedistat Pediatric Urgent Care. More information on Jugendzelt can be found here.

Food

Der Restaurant am Himmel (Restaurant in the Sky) overlooks Der Lufthansa Technik Biergarten stage and dance floor. The up-scale, delicious, three-course Bavarian meal is prepared by award-winning Chef Josh Vitt. Dinner seating is available for Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with a second seating at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The Tulsa Oktoberfest food lineup includes:

• Siegi’s signature brats will be served throughout the venue
• German-American Society of Tulsa (GAST) will be offering their delectable potato pancakes
• Check out savory and sweet strudel at Helmut’s on the Hauptstrasse
• Schnitzel will be served by a number of vendors, including the Black Forest Cafe, F&J Concessions, Schnitzel and Giggles, and more!

A complete list of food vendors and information can be found here.

Beer

More than 100 bier brands will be served in the festival’s popular collectible steins from over 300 taps. The German MassKrug is a one-liter (33.8 ounce) stein designed to closely resemble those found in Bavarian bier gardens and bier halls and a staple of the Munich Oktoberfest. A smaller 16-ounce stein, the KleinKrug, will also be available for purchase. Each tent will have a different array of biers to ensure guests will have a unique experience no matter where they choose to enjoy the festival.

A complete list of beers and descriptions can be found here.

Arts and Crafters

Authentic Trachten (costumes), Bavarian and chicken hats, authentic ceramic beer steins and official Tulsa Oktoberfest merchandise can be found throughout the festival grounds and also at the Markthaus Arts and Crafters zelt. A list of confirmed vendors for the Markthaus Arts and Crafters zelt can be viewed here.

Shuttle routes, “Schnelle Fahrt” (Fast Ride)

The free shuttle service will drop off all festival goers at the front gate of Tulsa Oktoberfest. Parking areas are located along Boston Ave. from 8th Street to 13th Street and locations throughout Tulsa including Downtown hotels such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Tulsa Downtown along with the Blue Dome District, OSU Tulsa’s Greenwood Ave. Campus, Promenade Mall and Marriott Southern Hills. For shuttle, parking and other transportation information, please check here.

Carnival Ride Wristbands

Carnival Ride Wristbands are available online for $25 for single day use Friday and Sunday only. Wristbands will also be available for cash/credit purchase at Customer Service and at ticket booths in the carnival area. Carnival rides for all ages will be operating each day of the festival (except Tuesday evening). Credit cards will be accepted at all festival sales locations. Those wishing to use cash may exchange it for a Festival Geld (Money) Card to use throughout Oktoberfest. Festival hours and ticketing information can be viewed here. For a complete list of FAQs, please visit here.