Looking for Oktoberfest festivals? Here are 12 in, around Lexington to raise a beer at

Originally started in 1810 as a celebration of the crown prince of Bavaria’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, Oktoberfest has grown into a gathering observed worldwide. With thousands of German immigrants settling along the Ohio River near Louisville and Cincinnati in the time since, the party has inevitably made its way into Kentucky as well.

From Christ the King’s celebration to a sausage festival, a bluegrass music bash and more, Lexington and Central Kentucky have a bevy of new events and longstanding German traditions to oblige and toast anyone’s Oktoberfest desires. So use this guide and list to help you put on your dirndls or lederhosen, grab a beer and get ready for bottom’s up because Oktoberfest is back!

Christ the King Oktoberfest

This year’s month of events kicks off with Lexington’s and Central Kentucky’s most established gathering, the Cathedral of Christ the King’s Oktoberfest, on Sept. 22 and 23. For over three decades the parish has hosted the event that pairs nationally touring bands with a German fare, carnival games, a cake wheel, casino games, food, kid-friendly games, a raffle to win a 2024 Buick Encore GX or $25,000 and more. This year’s festival will include performances from 90’s alt-rock group Spin Doctors and country artists Ray Fulcher and J.D. Shelburne. Free. 299 Colony Blvd. CTKOktoberfest.com.

Blue Stallion Brewing Oktoberfest

Blue Stallion Brewing will celebrate its 10th year of Oktoberfest festivities with a week and a half long celebration from Sept. 22-Oct. 1 that will include new and old beer releases along with a special German-inspired menu from on-site food partner Salt & Vinegar. Other activities include live music, a German car show and more. Free. 610 W Third St. BlueStallionBrewing.com.

Bluegrass Sausage Fest

The first annual Bluegrass Sausage Fest will take place at Morley’s Backyard in Danville on Sept. 22 from 4-10 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 12-10 p.m. Festival attendees will be able to get a taste of Germany done Bluegrass-style with Bavarian-inspired food to go with music from Whiskey River, the Hannah Wheeler Band and others. $5, children 12 and under free. 234 E Walnut St, Danville. facebook.com/events/787221473196466.

Country Boy Oktoberfest

The taps of Country Boy’s Oktoberfest Lager will be flowing when the brewery hosts its annual celebration at its Georgetown taproom on Sept. 23 beginning at 10 a.m. with a Barktoberfest dog costume contest. Other festivities include a men’s and women’s stein hoisting contest at 3 p.m., live music from rock accordionist Gerhard Albinus at 4 p.m., a UK vs. Vanderbilt football watch party and German food specials all day long. Free. 101 Innovation Way, Georgetown. facebook.com/events/963358414936995.

Mount Sterling Oktoberfest

The Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mount Sterling will host its second annual Oktoberfest festival on Sept. 23 from 7-10 p.m. German polka band Boom Pah Pah will provide a soundtrack for the night that will also have art activities for kids, a stein holding contest, German food and more. $10 for adults over 21 (includes one drink ticket), $5 for people under 21. 101 E Main St., Mount Sterling. GRACKentucky.org.

Oktoberfest In The Garden at Kentucky Native Cafe

Michler’s and Kentucky Native Cafe will hold its annual Oktoberfest in the Garden festivities from Sept. 27-29 with live music from The Swells, Wienerschitzels Brass Band and more. They’ll also be serving fresh-baked Bavarian pretzels and will have plenty of German-inspired beer on tap from 4-10 p.m. daily. Free. 417 E Maxwell St. Michlers.com/Pages/Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest Harrodsburg

Drawing nearly 15,000 patrons every year are Harrodsburg’s Oktoberfest celebrations, which aims to build upon those numbers when it reconvenes from Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in the streets of the Mercer County town. The event includes three days of live music from Danny Barnes & Friends, Bedford Band and others along with a kid’s zone and inflatables, adult games like cornhole and giant jenga, specialty foods and more. Free. 120 S Main St, Harrodsburg. OktoberfestHarrodsburg.com.

Grasstoberfest

After first making its mark on Winchester last fall, Grasstoberfest will again pair Oktoberfest and bluegrass music in the downtown streets on Sept. 30 from 2-11 p.m. with performances from Rumpke Mountain Boys, Reedy River String Band, and more. The event will also feature a BBQ cook off, a beer garden, artisan vendors, a chicken dance and more. Free. 9 N Main St, Winchester. facebook.com/grasstoberfest.

Dreaming Creek Oktoberfest

Richmond-based Dreaming Creek Brewery, which recently announced plans to expand into Berea, will host an Oktoberfest gathering on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. Activities include live music from Will Ulmer and the A/C Unit along with a cornhole tournament, stein hoisting contest and food from the Spatzle Factory German Fare food truck. Free. 109 E Irvine St, Richmond. facebook.com/dreamingcreekbrewery.

Sig Oktoberfest at Sig Luscher Brewery

Kentucky’s oldest brewery, Frankfort’s Sig Luscher, will again host its annual Oktoberfest celebrations from the capital city on Oct. 7 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. For the day the city will feel more like Frankfurt, Germany thanks to a variety of festive food trucks, Oktoberfest themed games and beers, live music from Kristofer Lee Bentley, among others, and more. Free. 221 Mero St, Frankfort. facebook.com/events/1005992324168791.

West Sixth Oktoberfest

West Sixth Brewing will hold day-long Oktoberfest celebrations at its Frankfort farm and Lexington and Louisville taprooms on Oct. 7 at noon. Festivities at its Lexington location will include German style beers, Bavarian eats from Smithtown Seafood, live music from the Wienerschnitzels, a giant pumpkin, a stein hoisting competition, a UK vs. Georgia football watch party and more. Reservations for a table seating 4-6 people start at $160 and come with six 0.5 liter steins to keep, 16 beer tickets, and an assortment of snacks. Table reservations at the Frankfort farm include 1/2-liter steins to keep, soft pretzels from sugar bugs bakery, beer cheese, snacks and more. 501 W Sixth St #100. WestSixth.com/Oktoberfest.

Is this beer heaven? West Sixth farm has hops, hiking, tacos and yoga with goats

Röcktöberfest

Taking place outside of the customary Oktoberfest window similar to Sig Luscher and West Sixth is Rock House Brewing, which will hold its appropriately dubbed “Röcktöberfest” celebration on Oct. 14 from 2-10 p.m. The North Lexington hangout will have The Spaetzle Truck on site from 5-9 p.m. along with pretzels by Papa Pretzel (while supplies last), live music and more. The brewery will also be introducing a new pumpkin-themed beer during the event (something they’re doing every Saturday in October) alongside its other brews. Free. 119 Luigart Ct. RockHouseBrewing.com.