Oktoberfest 

Welcome to the home of Canada's Great Bavarian Festival!

2012 Events

Friday October 5^th to Saturday October 13^th

Downtown Kitchener

King Street (Water St - Cedar St.)

There is something Wunderbar for all members of the family to enjoy at the Oktoberfest Downtown Experience. Check us out on King Street, in Downtown Kitchener, from October 5^th to 13^th. Get downtown during the 10 festival days for lots of family events and great experiences including Grillefest, GTA Midway, Strongman Challenges, the Kitchener market art & food market, Yuk Yuk's Kitchener Comedy Idol and so much more! Downtown is the place to be! Be sure to mark these great events down your calendar:

Grillefest, October 5^th, 2012 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Kitchener City Hall, Civic Square

Join members of Kitchener City Council to celebrate the official opening ceremonies of Oktoberfest. Council and city staff will serve you a delicious, traditional Oktoberfest sausage and a soft drink for only $3.50. This year, sausages have been generously donated by M&M Meat Shops and will be grilled by Broil King, our newest sponsor. All proceeds from the BBQ will be donated to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. 

 Midway, October 5^th to October 7^th

Come downtown for an outdoor festhalle experience right on King Street, downtown Kitchener. Play games of chance, catch a trill on a midway ride, eat a sausage or just come down to enjoy the sights and sounds. Plus purchase advance tickets for the midway rides and save!

Advance tickets available at Hans Haus and the City of Kitchener Welcome Centre in City Hall

Kitchener Market Family Days, October 6 and 13, 2012, 9 a.m to 1 p.m. -            Kitchener Market  (300 King St. E)

Bring your family and friends to celebrate the spirit of Kitchener Waterloo Oktoberfest at the Kitchener Market.  Crafts, entertainment, great food and so much more.

5^th Annual Bavarian Strongman Challenge, October 6^th, 2012, Noon to 5 p.m. Kitchener City Hall, Civic Square

Come see amazing feat of strength at the 5th Annual Bavarian Strongman Challenge. Each challenge of strength tests the dynamic and static force of each competing athlete truly testing their endurance. The day's events will be action packed with addition Oktoberfest attractions. Who will be the 2012 Bavarian Strongman? Get downtown and enjoy this free family friendly event!

Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade, Monday October 8^th, 8:30 a.m.

Bands from across North America, spectacular floats and more are featured in Canada's largest Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade travels almost 5km, entertaining a crowd of over 150,000 cheering spectators and is enjoyed nationally on the CTV Network by over two million viewers. A highlight is the Parade's Grand Marshall whose identity remains a top secret until just prior to the start of the Festival.

Willkommen Platz, October 5^th to 13^th - Benton and King St. Kitchener

The heart of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest! It's a "Bavarian Village" in downtown Kitchener with FREE live entertainment of the Children's Stage, Sponsored by WestJet. Check out displays and activities, excellent food and beverages, information, souvenirs and a Bier Garten! Fun for the whole family. Platz open daily throughout the festival. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest at Willkommen Platz!

German Pioneers Day, Tuesday October 9^th, 5pm - Kitchener City Hall, Rotunda

This event commemorates and acknowledges the numerous contributions made by German immigrants to the building and establishing of the province of Ontario and throughout Ontario and Canada. At 3:30pm the Transylvania Hofbrau Band. The Formal program begins at 5pm with greeting and Heritage Awards. Guest Choirs will be performing during the official program.

Kitchener Market Art & Food Market, October 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Kitchener Market (300 King St. E).

Yuk Yuk's Kitchener Comedy Idol, October 11.

K-W Oktoberfest Chess Open, October 13^th - Kitchener City Hall

The K-W Oktoberfest Chess Open has become quite a tradition in Waterloo Region. Competitors compete in 4 sections based on ability for cash and prizes.  For those beginners wanting to try their hand at tournament chess, you can join in the lower section and play alongside masters competing in the top section.   Entry Fee: $30; Spectators Free. INFO at www.kwchessclub.com or Patrick McDonald at 519-648-3259 or partrick@psmcd.net

Oktoberfest Car Show, October 13^th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Willkommen Platz, Downtown Kitchener King St. between Queen & Scott Streets

 The 15th Annual Oktoberfest Car Show will wrap-up the final day of the festival with a bang, as amazing cars fill the downtown area. We are anticipating an exalt group of classic cars of all makes and models. Event is located in the parking lot off of Goudies Lane, across the road from Market Square and King Street between Queen & Frederick St. Just follow the signs. While you are there come out enjoy a free pancake breakfast on King St provided by the Elmira Kiwanis Club with all proceeds going towards  important community projects.

History of Oktoberfest

In celebration of our area's strong German roots, since 1969 Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has developed its own traditions - becoming the largest Bavarian festival in North America with the greatest Thanksgiving Day Parade in Canada.

Thousands of visitors celebrate annually in our Festhallen, and by attending one or more of our 40 family and cultural events.

Through the celebration of this Spirit of Gemuetlichkeit, the local economy is stimulated and more than 70 charities and not-for-profit organizations raise funds to support the high quality of life enjoyed in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Willkommen to you, your family and friends!

Click here to join in the fun Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest