9 Places To Celebrate Oktoberfest In Los Angeles

Oktoberfest is one of those rare celebrations that is openly and proudly about having a good time and drinking beer with your friends. What initially began as a celebration of a royal Bavarian wedding way back in 1810 has blossomed into a beloved annual tradition, complete with over a century of horse races, agricultural expos, and the main attraction of getting one's Prost! on with liter after liter of German beer. But you don't have to make the pilgrimage to Munich to celebrate fall's foamiest festival if you live on the West Coast. Here are nine places to celebrate Oktoberfest right here in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles isn't necessarily a city known for its street festivals. The geographic vastness of the LA area and its consequent status as a "car city" makes large, sanctioned group drinking festivities slightly more complicated — but fear not, Angelenos, our city's stein runneth over with opportunities to get Oktoberfest on. So dust off those Dirndls, because the celebration starts this weekend!

From the family-friendly to a festival that features all vegan cuisine, there are lots of options for revelers to raise a glass to Bavarian culture over the next month. With loads of different neighborhoods getting involved, there's sure to be one close to you.

1. Angel City Brewery

Angel City Brewery is hosting its Oktoberfest this Sunday, and it's sure to be a great one, complete with live German music, a sauerkraut-eating contest, and a special Oktoberfest keg tapping to commemorate the occasion. There is no ticket charge or cover for this event, so if you're feeling spontaneous on Sunday, this is a wonderful no-plans-required option.

When: Sunday, Sept. 20, 12-8 p.m.

Entry: No ticket required

Ages: 21+

2. Vegan Oktoberfest

Vegan Oktoberfest is being held Oct. 3 and 4 at LA Center Studios, a recent darling venue for all things beer- and food truck-related. The list of food and drink vendors attending this year's Vegan Oktoberfest is lengthy and impressive. They'll be serving up everything vegan from sausages to grilled cheese and ice cream — and beer, obviously. Purchase your tickets ahead of time here, as they will not be selling tickets at the door for this event.

When: Oct. 3 and 4, 1-5 p.m.

Entry: Advanced ticket purchase required

Ages: 21+

3. Wurstküche Venice

Throughout the month of October, the westside edition of famed best freakin' sausage restaurant in SoCal, Wurstküche, will be celebrating Oktoberfest with live music, games, Bavarian pretzels, and even lederhosen and dirndls available for sale. Festivities will begin every Sunday of the month from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

When: Every Sunday in October 1-5 p.m.

Entry: No ticket required

Ages: Anyone can eat sausage!

4. Montrose Oktoberfest

Definitely the most family-friendly of all of Oktoberfest events, the 37th annual Montrose Oktoberfest has something for everyone. From rides and games for the little ones, to beer for mom and dad, you can absolutely bring the whole family to this street fair. Located near the 2200 block of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose, admission is free to this event, which will be held on Oct. 3 from noon to 11 p.m. This community event will also feature costume contests for kids and dogs alike, so bring your babies (fur or human) in their finest lederhosen and win prizes.

When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 12-11 p.m.

Entry: No ticket required

Ages: All ages/species are welcome

5. Wirtshaus on La Brea

Free beer alert! Wirtshaus on La Brea is kicking off its Oktoberfest this Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. when a still-unknown celebrity guest will be tapping a ceremonial keg that will pour free beer until it's empty. This is another great option if you're just flying by the seat of your pants and happen to be in the mood for some free, festive beer on Saturday afternoon.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m.

Entry: No ticket required

Ages: 21+

6. Long Beach Oktoberfest @ Roxanne’s

The boozier the holiday, the more you can guarantee that folks in the LBC will be keeping things... festive. Long Beach's Oktoberfest events will include a Beer Olympics, which appear to still be open for team registration, so if your squad's drunk-lawn-games game is strong, register here and win stuff! General admission tickets are available on Eventbrite and are limited, so buy yours ASAP. This year's festivities are at Roxanne's Cocktail Lounge on Saturday, Oct. 3.

When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2-10 p.m.

Entry: Tickets required (available online)

Ages: 21+

7. Alpine Village Oktoberfest

This Oktoberfest is the oldest and craziest in the LA area. Located in Torrance, this nearly two month-long festival has lots of everything related to Oktoberfest. Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for grown-ups, while Sundays are family days, and this party already started earlier in September. Tickets are available online and at the door for entrance into the big tent, where the beer and entertainment will be happening every weekend through Halloween. Additionally, Alpine Village is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to film a scripted movie about the Oktoberfest celebration there. Check out its website for tickets and details.

When: Every weekend now through Halloween (see website for hours, as they vary by date)

Entry: Ticket required (available online)

Ages: Fridays & Saturdays are 21+, Sundays are open for all ages

8. Red Lion Tavern

The Red Lion Tavern is an awesome spot just about any time of the year — but Oktoberfest is this Silver Lake hang's shining moment. Starting this Friday, patrons will be treated to new beers and special menu items at everyone's favorite German-themed spot. Additionally, every year, the Red Lion holds a stein design contest, and announce the winner during Oktoberfest. Tickets are definitely not required, and the party will continue for a full month (through Oct. 18). Come share das boot with your friends and say hello to dirndl-clad Tina and Silvia, who hold it down behind the bar.

When: Friday, Sept. 18 - Sunday, Oct. 18

Entry: No tickets required

Ages: They start carding at the door around 9 p.m.

9. Big Bear Oktoberfest

If you're looking to get a little respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is a must-see spectacle. This year is the 45th annual extremely authentic Oktoberfest, and it's going strong every weekend through Halloween at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center. I accidentally ended up driving by the festivities last year on a hiking day trip, and it looked totally awesome. Tickets are available here.

When: Every weekend through Halloween

Entry: Tickets required (available online)

Ages: Saturdays all ages, Sundays 21+

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