Oktoberfest in Helen, Georgia

The Longest Running Oktoberfest in the U.S.!

September – October 

Helen Festhalle

1074 Edelweiss Dr. Helen, Ga

Beer, brats, bands and Lederhosen – the Helen Oktoberfest has them all.  Delicious German food, dancing and lots of fun activities for the entire family – but the highlight is music, which includes enjoyable performances by German bands from around the country and around the world.

Schedule of Events

• The Oktoberfest Parade will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The parade starts at 12:00 PM.
• The Tapping of the Keg. The Tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest will follow at the Fussen Biergarten at the Helen Festhalle, opening the celebration! 
• Keg Tapping events will be held every Saturday throughout Helen during the first 5 weekends of Oktoberfest.
• The Helen Festhalle is host to the Oktoberfest festivities. The Festhalle will be open Thursdays – Sunday in September and open daily through October until the end of Oktoberfest.  Enjoy authentic live German bands after the doors open each day, authentic German Brats, food and drink – and the beloved “chicken dance” that typically happens after consuming a bit of Oktoberfest beer!   
• Each of the music venues throughout Helen will be featuring live music during Oktoberfest with fantastic local and international talent. 
• The Helen Arts and Crafts Festival will be featuring Art-Oberfest Oct 19th – 20th in downtown Helen, featuring handcrafted arts and crafts from local artisans.

Helen Oktoberfest

Music

If you have never experienced Bavarian-style beer hall music, you are in for a treat. During Oktoberfest, traditional German bands from all over, including Stratton Mountain Boys and the Alpen Musikanten will head to Helen in name of the celebration. Get ready for the most jubilant dancing to the most contagious music!

Beer

One of the favorite reasons to attend the Helen Oktoberfest is the beer. On the first day, attend the “Tapping of the Keg” that announces the beginning of the festivities. Enjoy traditional German beers such as the popular Munich Beer that are a little stronger and a little tastier than the American beers. You can also enjoy craft brews from local breweries. 

Great Food, Awesome Drinks

It isn’t an Oktoberfest without lots of food, wine, and beer!  Traditional Oktoberfest food includes a variety of delicious meats, sweet apples, bratwurst, yeast dumplings in vanilla sauce, and jumbo pretzels!

History of Oktoberfest

The original Oktoberfest was actually a two week long party celebrating the royal wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese in Munich, Germany, way back in the day of 1810. Celebrating the last few weeks of September, all the citizens of Munich came out to the festivities including amusement rides, horse racing, games, and of course lots of food, wine and beer. How did this come to Helen? Helen was transformed into a little German town in 1969 in an effort to revitalize the town. In 1970, the first Oktoberfest Festival in Helen was held. Today, thousands of people from across America and the world come to Helen to participate in the German tradition each year.

Celebrate Fall in the Mountains

Celebrate Oktoberfest and celebrate the stunning Fall Season in the North Ga Mountains!  There are several outstanding waterfalls in and around the Helen area. Helen is surrounded by pristine State Parks and National Forests offering you the perfect opportunity to to get out into our beautiful mountains and experience the wonders of nature.

Don’t forget to pick your pumpkins while you are in town! Stop by one of the various local pumpkin patches for a locally grown Georgia pumpkin.