Fort Worth Oktoberfest

About this happenin

For three days in late September, Fort Worth Oktoberfest puts German beer tents and a carnival midway in Trinity Park in Fort Worth. The entrance is by the Van Zandt Cottage, across from Farrington Field. It runs Thursday to Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m. on the first two nights and 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. The main tent is the air-conditioned Paulaner Festzelt, which seats more than 900 at long biergarten tables and has a dance floor and live bands all day. The open-air Van Zandt Zelt has more music, and the Hacker-Pschorr Biergarten sits in a grove of the park's oldest trees. Local community leaders open the festival by hammering a bronze spout into the first keg. Stein-holding contests run nightly in the big tents. The Aktivität Tent hosts bier barrel rolling and Saturday's Dachshund Dash, which starts with a costume parade in the Paulaner Festzelt. Dogs must be pre-registered, and no other pets get in. A marktplatz sells German clothing and handmade goods. The carnival has rides and games, and a 5K and fun run follows the Trinity Trail. Children 12 and under get in free with a paying adult. The festival goes ahead rain or shine and takes cards only.

More in September: 12 other Dallas-Fort Worth events.

Where

Trinity Park · 2933 Farmhouse Way, Fort Worth, TX 76107