Prost! Oktoberfest is a German beer-drinking festival and tradition that dates back more than 200 years; it's now held annually over the course of two weeks in late September and early October. And because the Raleigh area is no stranger to good beer and good times, there are plenty of ways to get in on the fun!

On Sept. 26, NC Oktobefest is an all-day street festival in downtown Raleigh, featuring nearly 50 breweries and 50 food trucks—plus local craft vendors and two stages of live music. Admission is free. 

The 12th annual Triangle Oktoberfest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary is a two-day affair (Oct. 2-3), with plenty of family-friendly activities including live music, storytelling, dancing, the beloved wiener dog races and traditional Bavarian food and fare from local favorites that include The Butcher's Market and Annelore's German Bakery—strudels, kuchen, bier pretzels, bratwurst, German chocolate and more—plus of course both local and traditional German beers on hand and all-day music from the King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band.

Admission to the festival starts at $20 (buy online or at the door), and food and beverages are purchased separately (a sampler pass for unlimited beer pours can be purchased at the venue). 

What other Oktoberfest events are happening? The list below is made up of mostly free-admission celebrations at Raleigh area breweries! 

• Sept. 19: Oktoberfest at Bombshell Beer Company
• Sept. 19: Oktoberfest at Clouds Brewing Tap Room
• Sept. 20: Oktoberfest at Raleigh Brewing
• Sept. 20: Sproktoberfest at Crank Arm Brewing
• Sept. 20: Oktoberfest at Fortnight Brewing Company
• Sept. 25: Oktoberfest at Lonerider Brewing Wake Forest
• Sept. 26: Oktoberfest at Compass Rose Brewery
• Sept. 26: Oaklyn-Toberfest at Oaklyn Springs Brewery
• Sept. 26: Peaktoberfest at Southern Peak Brewery
• Sept. 26: Oktoberfest at Bearded Bee Brewing Company
• Sept. 26: Oktoberfest at Gizmo Brew Works
• Sept. 26: Oktoberfest at Blackbird Brewery
• Oct. 3: Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village
• Oct. 10: Apex Oktoberfest
• Oct. 11: Oktrophyfest at Trophy Brewing Maywood

And finally, speaking of breweries—did you know that Raleigh has its own Beer Trail? Visit breweries, earn rewards—a beautiful concept. 

Download your digital Passport and plan your exploration of more than 40 breweries across the Raleigh area this fall!

^{Header photo courtesy of Triangle Oktoberfest}