Oktoberfest Guide to Milwaukee’s North Shore (2025)

Milwaukee’s North Shore is famous for its festive Oktoberfest culture, with riverside beer gardens and neighborhood festivals celebrating the region’s Bavarian heritage. From Shorewood to Mequon, communities host fall gatherings with German-style music, beer, and brats set against the beautiful late-summer scenery. The Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale, for example, has held an annual Oktoberfest for over 60 years, and neighborhood beer gardens often tap seasonal Märzens and host polka bands under the changing leaves. In short, the North Shore offers a friendly, family-oriented Oktoberfest experience – complete with live music, traditional food, and plenty of communal steins being raised to “Prost!”

Shorewood – Hubbard Park Beer Garden Oktoberfest

In Shorewood, the Hubbard Park Beer Garden (3565 N. Morris Blvd) and the Shorewood Foundation team up for an annual late-September Oktoberfest. Though details for 2025 were not yet announced, the tradition is well-established: the 60th Anniversary Oktoberfest took place on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 from 5:30–9:30pm. This family-friendly benefit supports the Shorewood Foundation and typically features German fare (brats, pretzels, etc.), live polka or accordion music, and free activities for kids. In fact, children 12 and under eat free with RSVP, and organizers often provide face-painting, balloon animals, and games. The cozy setting along the Milwaukee River makes it especially charming – imagine a lantern-lit patio and families gathered with local brews. (Tip: RSVP early if required, and even though it’s free admission, parking in Shorewood is generally easy on Friday evenings.)

Glendale – Old Heidelberg Park (Bavarian Bierhaus)

Just north of Shorewood, Glendale’s own Bavarian Bierhaus (700 W. Lexington Blvd) hosts a massive multi-weekend Oktoberfest at Old Heidelberg Park each September–early October. In 2025, it runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 5 through Oct. 5. The Bierhaus Oktoberfest is a huge beer garden with hundreds of picnic tables and festive tents. It opens at 4pm on Fridays ($5 admission, or free with the mobile app) and 11am on Saturdays ($10 admission, $5 with app Parking is free, and every night there’s live music and German entertainment. On Fridays and Saturdays the grounds include a midway for kids (rides and games), and Sunday admission is free, so it truly spans all ages. Traditional Bavarian bands (like Alte Kameraden, Alpine Blast, Polka Steve, and Biermen) play polkas and oompah classics on the big stage. Food-wise, the Bierhaus menu is a festival feast: grilled Usinger’s bratwursts, giant soft pretzels, schnitzels, pork roast (Spanferkel), and even doner kebabs and vegetarian options. You’ll also find beer staples like Maß (1-liter steins) of Oktoberfest Märzen, seasonals, and imports. Tip: Arrive early on weekends to grab a picnic table, or reserve in advance for large groups. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the crowd peaks with families sharing communal tables. If you’re new, consider free Sunday (no cover) to experience the fun without a fee.

Fox Point – Longacre Pavilion Beer Garden

Fox Point’s beer garden pops up at the Longacre Pavilion (7377 N. Longacre Rd) each summer, run by New Barons Brewing Cooperative and the Village of Fox Point. The regular schedule is on select Friday evenings (5–9pm) from late May through August Importantly, Fox Point also offers “Oktoberfest-style” celebrations on a few Saturdays in the fall: in 2025 the beer garden will be open on Saturday, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, and Oct. 11 (2–7pm each). These late-season dates often feature German-themed specials – for example, in 2024 a “FoxToberfest” finale included special lagers and an oompah band. Throughout the season, New Barons brings a variety of craft beers (hoppy ales, wheat beers, etc.) from its coop taps. Each Friday night also welcomes a different food truck (pizza, tacos, barbecue, etc.) plus rotating guest taps or ciders.

Bayside – Village Beer Gardens & Fall Fest

Bayside does Oktoberfest largely through its summer Bayside Beer Gardens series, presented with Torzala Brewing. From May through October, small beer gardens pop up on weekends with live music, food trucks, and Torzala’s beers. In 2025 there are eight dates: May 3, May 24, June 21, July 12, August 2 (with a car show), August 30, and then Fall Fest on Sept. 20 and one more on Oct. 18. Each event is at Ellsworth Park or Village Hall; for example, Fall Fest (Sept 20) runs 2–9pm at Village Hall.

Mequon – Foxtoberfest at Foxtown Brewing

Just north of these villages, Mequon hosts Foxtoberfest each fall at Foxtown Brewing’s Foxtown Station (6209 W. Mequon Rd). In 2025, Foxtoberfest is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 (11am–10pm). This one-day festival is free to attend, and it’s a full-day block party celebrating Oktoberfest in Foxtown style. The event description promises “live music, delicious eats, family-friendly activities, and… craft beer” all day. Expect multiple bands (both polka and modern covers), German snacks (brats, pretzels, etc.), and special releases of Foxtown’s Oktoberfest lager. Attendees are encouraged to wear Bavarian attire for fun – often there’s a costume contest or stein-holding challenge. It’s very much an all-ages festival: kids can run around the outdoor plaza, and the brewery often sets up yard games. Tips: Since it’s at a brewery campus, consider going early (grounds open at 11am) to reserve parking and claim a table in the open-air beer garden.

Milwaukee City – Oktoberfest at the Lakefront

For a full-scale Oktoberfest, head to downtown Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Oktoberfest (formerly the city’s largest Oktoberfest) takes place at Henry Maier Festival Park (Lakefront) on the first weekend of October. In 2025 it runs Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5 (the 2024 schedule was Oct 4–6). This three-day festival features a huge beer tent and multiple stages. Highlights include a Free Beer Opening at 4pm on Friday – when the grounds open with free pints for the first attendees – followed by stein-hoisting and live bands. On Saturday and Sunday you’ll find multiple polka bands, German dancers, brass bands, and rock acts on the schedule (in 2024 the lineup included Copper Box, Polka Floyd, Alte Kameraden, and more). There are also classic contests: the Usinger’s brat-eating competition, Cornhole tournaments, and a Wiener Dog Pageant on Sunday afternoon. Authentic vendors sell Wisconsin bierocks, spaetzle, sauerkraut, and, of course, plates of brats and mettwurst. It’s billed as a family event, so there are games and giveaways for kids and even a children’s play area. (Admission to the Oktoberfest grounds is free; optional activities or food cost extra.) Tip: Public transit is recommended since traffic can be heavy. You’ll want to arrive by midday on Saturday if you hope to sit down, as this fest draws huge crowds. The official Milwaukee Oktoberfest website provides full schedules and usually publishes them by mid-summer – keep an eye out.

Each of these North Shore Oktoberfests has its own character. Whether you want a quiet afternoon pint by the river (Hubbard Park), an old-school beer hall experience (Bierhaus Glendale), or a full-day festival with brass bands, you’ll find it here. Most events are family-friendly (kids play free, often eat free, and local bands perform), but they all serve great adult-level fun too. Plan to arrive early for best parking and seating, bring a folding chair or blanket when possible, and check if cash is accepted (note that Estabrook Park’s beer garden in Milwaukee went cashless as of last season, and some neighborhood gardens now do too). Grab your lederhosen or dirndl, Prost! – your North Shore Oktoberfest adventure is waiting.