ArtsQuest announced the return of Oktoberfest to SteelStacks for its 16th year, presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport. The free, two-weekend seasonal festival brings German-inspired food, brews, live music, and family-friendly entertainment to Bethlehem.
The event kicks off Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, and returns the following weekend from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. Attendees will have access to four biergartens, along with traditional and unconventional festival activities.
The schedule features a brand new bourbon tasting experience alongside long-standing event attractions. Festival competitions include the official Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championships, wiener dog races, and a bratwurst eating contest.
Organizers emphasize the event’s role in bringing local communities together to highlight regional fall traditions and culture. The annual celebration continues a multi-year partnership between ArtsQuest and Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Additional details regarding specific schedule times and daily programming at the SteelStacks campus will be available as the festival dates approach.
Events
Oktoberfest Bourbon Tasting with Matthew Peters
New this year, ArtsQuest is partnering with certified Bourbon Steward Matthew Peters and Levy Restaurants for an elevated bourbon tasting featuring eight uncommon and unique bourbons, with a focus on cask-strength selections, paired with delicious bites from Levy Restaurants Executive Chef Julie Marble. The 21+ experience will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
Fliplehem: Oktoberfest Flip Cup Tournament
Join us for the second annual Oktoberfest Flip Cup Tournament presented by D.G. Yuengling & Son on October 2 and again on October 9! Teams of four will compete in a bracket style tournament to determine a winner. Cups will be filled with water, not beer.
Only one person needs to register on behalf of your team of four. All participants must be 21+.
Winners take home a $50 ArtsQuest Gift Card for each team member!
The Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championships
ArtsQuest is partnering with the US Steinholding Association (USSA) to once again host the official Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championships presented by Samuel Adams on Saturday, October 10 at 6 p.m. This event is 21+. Men and women’s competitions will be held separately, with the champions taking home an official stein, the glory of being able to say they’re Pennsylvania’s best, and a trip to the 2026 Steinholding Nationals provided by the USSA.
The State Championship Qualifier Competition will take place on October 5 at 6 p.m. in the Oktoberfest Arena, and the participants with the top times will move on to the finals. Register for the free competition here.
Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition
The Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition will be on Sunday, October 11 at 5 p.m. in the Yuengling Tent. Contestants, ages 18 and up, will go head-to-head to see who can be the first to finish 10 Karl Ehmer brats (no buns) and keep them down for two minutes, with the winner taking home a $250 prize. Register here to become the next bratwurst eating champion.
Oktoberfest Hot Glass Experience
Work one on one with a hot glass instructor to create your own piece of art from molten glass – choose between a pumpkin or a sleeping kitty. Ages 6 and up, no experience necessary. Pieces need 48 hours to cool, and participants need to return to the festival to pick up their work or to have it shipped directly, pay a shipping charge.
20-minute time slots are available every day of Oktoberfest starting at 5 p.m. on Fridays and noon Saturdays and Sundays. Please arrive 10 minutes before your time slot. Register here.
The annual race for beer is on! The Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k, in partnership with Run Lehigh Valley, returns for the 12th year on Sunday, October 4 at 10:30 AM. Runners will be welcomed at the finish line with a 22 oz. mug of delicious Yuengling Oktoberfest or root beer Pre-registration is required.
On your bark! Get set! Register! The annual running of the wiener dogs is back at Oktoberfest. Join in the festivities at the Oktoberfest Arena by registering your fast, four-legged friends in the unforgettable Wiener Dog races. Purebreds, Dachshund mixesand wiener dogs at heart under 25 lbs. are welcome. Races are held both weekends, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays with an additional race on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. Register your pup here!
The festival will host a parade every Saturday and Sunday. Pups of all kinds are invited to don their favorite costume or simply trot at they vie for the chance to be elected President or Chancellor of the Oktoberfest Pup Parade! There will be prizes and there will be adorableness. The parade is free to participate in, and no pre-registration is required. You can sign your dog up on the day of the parade beginning at 12 p.m. at the Oktoberfest Arena.
SPECIALTY FOOD/BEVERAGE:
ArtsQuest, Levy Restaurants and D.G. Yuengling & Son have partnered to put together another delicious Oktoberfest beer dinner on Saturday, October 3 at 5 p.m. in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room in the ArtsQuest Center! This is a 21+ event. We have four courses paired with 6 oz. pours of four different Yuengling beers. A Yuengling brewer will be talking about the brewing process and each beer as we go through the dinner. And each patron will get a special Yuengling pint glass! Purchase your tickets here!
OKTOBERFEST FOOD VENDORS:
Enjoy a bite from some festival favorites! From German sausages and hand-rolled pretzels to smoked BBQ, sliders and ice cream, there are too many delicious options that you don’t want to miss.
Island Expressions / Heidi’s Strudel
Humpty’s Dumplings (10/3-10/4 only)
Slide On By (10/10-10/11 only)
Be sure to visit all four of our biergartens where you’ll find Hofbräu, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head, Spaten and Yuengling on tap and more. (Feel free to bring your Musikfest Mug or purchase an official Oktoberfest Mug).
RETAILERS/CRAFTERS:
Hometown Spark Permanent Jewelry
Celtic Vibe
LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT:
It wouldn’t be an ArtsQuest event without live music! Between our four biergartens – Hofbräu Biergarten, Samuel Adams/Dogfish Head Biergarten, Spaten Biergarten and Yuengling Biergarten – we’re hosting can’t miss performances from bands Fritz’s Polka Band, Polkadelphia, South Penn Dixie Trio, Zaire, Sam Houseal Band, Bavarian Kings, Schützengiggles Oompah Band and many more. Not to mention the Schuhplattler performances by GTV Almrausch, GTEV D’Lustigen Isartaler and Almrausch Altoona. For a comprehensive lineup, visit Oktoberfest Biergarten Schedule – ArtsQuest
Oktoberfest Karaoke with Notorious S.Y.D
Don’t miss the karaoke fun at Oktoberfest! You can sing your heart out on Friday, October 2 and Friday, October 9 at 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. with the Notorious S.Y.D.!
This 18+ event is hosted by former Miss Gay Pennsylvania Elektra Fearce St. James, back to direct one of our most enduring Oktoberfest traditions: Dragtoberfest! She’llhave a cast full of the region’s most talented queens ready to serve you with jaw-dropping performances on both Saturdays, October 3 and October 10, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.