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Oktoberfest season has arrived in the Tampa Bay area

Here are some of the beer-soaked events that start this week.
 
Oktoberfest celebrations start this week in the Tampa Bay area.
Oktoberfest celebrations start this week in the Tampa Bay area.
Published Sept. 14, 2021|Updated Sept. 16, 2021

Get ready to swing your beer stein: Oktoberfest celebrations begin this week across the Tampa Bay area.

Germany’s Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival held every year in Munich, will not take place in 2021 due to the coronavirus crisis. However, it’s still going strong in the Tampa Bay area. So, put on your lederhosen or dirndls and join the fun at one, or more, of the following events.

Oktoberfest: This festival will feature beer specials, games, music and food from the Kitchen. Lederhosen and dirndls recommended. No cover (food/drink additional). 2-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Mastry’s Brewing Co., 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. 727-202-8045.

Oktoberfest at the Boutique: Gather a team of four and join the beer olympics with prizes for best team names and costumes. Includes food and a stein filled with your favorite German beer. 1 p.m. Saturday. Bier Boutique, 465 Seventh Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-827-2691.

Oktoberfest at Dissent: Games and activities include a stein-holding competition, along with beer and food from Marek’s Kielbasa and Pierogi Truck. No cover. Noon-9 p.m. Saturday. Dissent Craft Brewing Company, 5518 Haines Road, St. Petersburg. 727-827-7129.

Bier Fest: Explore seasonal brews and new recipes at the fourth annual festival. Sample your way through an outdoor brewery and culinary stations as you stroll through the park on the all-new beer trail. Included with admission (food/drink additional). Noon-6 p.m. Fridays-Sundays through Oct. 31. Busch Gardens, 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa. 813-884-4386.

American Social Oktoberfest: American Social celebrates Oktoberfest for 16 days with $7 Sam Adams Oktoberfest beers and a stein-hoisting contest on Sept. 30. No cover (food/drink additional). Business hours daily Saturday-Oct. 3. American Social Bar and Kitchen, 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. 813-605-3333.

Oktoberfest with Wine: Lederhosen, dirndl and other German attire is encouraged for an evening filled with varieties of Oktoberfest beer, German wine, a traditional biergarten appetizer platter, short rib Schmorbraten and black forest cake. $69. 7-10 p.m. Sept. 21. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, 4110 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. 813-873-9463.

Gulfport Oktoberfest: Enjoy a weekend of German food, music, games and a special Festbier. $20 (festival mug). Noon-11 p.m. Sept. 24-26. Gulfport Brewery and Eatery, 3007 Beach Blvd S. 727-954-4109.

Oktoberfest Weekend: Join in the tapping of favorite fall/German-style beers including Is it Fall Yet? and Oktoberfest Marzen, Dunkel Dieter, Thrill Kill Kolsch and the Cure Lemon Ginger Hefeweizen. No cover (food/drink additional). Noon-11:30 p.m. Sept. 24-25, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 26. Caledonia Brewing, 587 Main St., Dunedin. 727-351-5105.

Oktoberfest 2021: Known around the area as one of Tampa Bay’s more authentic Oktoberfests, this festival features imported German and domestic beers, traditional German food, a keg-tapping ceremony, a parade of flags, a stein-holding contest, vendors and traditional German music by the Manni Daum Trio (Oct. 8-9) and the Matthias Trio (Oct. 1-2). $10, 12 and younger free. 5-10 p.m. Oct. 1-2 and Oct. 8-9. German American Society of Pinellas County, 8098 66th St. N, Pinellas Park. 727-541-6782.

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Oktoberfest 5K: This run on the Pinellas Trail features awards for top finishers and HOPS beer runner medals for all finishers. $50. 8:30 a.m. Sept. 25. House of Beer Brewing Company, 941 Huntley Ave., Dunedin. 727-216-6318.

Oktoberfest: Coppertail celebrates with the release of a special four-pack of 16-ounce cans for $10. Also, get $5 pours in half-liter Pukey the Seahorse steins and specials on German-themed food items. No cover (food/drink additional). 11 a.m.-midnight Sept. 25. Coppertail Brewing Co., 2601 E Second Ave., Tampa. 813-247-1500.

Oktoberfest at the Brewhouse: Grand Central Brewhouse celebrates Oktoberfest for two weekends with German-style lagers, oompah bands, authentic German street food, games, contests and raffles. No cover (food/drink additional). Noon-midnight Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 2-3. Grand Central Brewhouse, 2340 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-202-6071.

Oktoberfest at Bayboro: Get to the beer garden for live music by Kimmi Bitter, food specials, free watermelon for kids and dogs and Oktoberfest beer releases. No cover (food/drink additional). 11 a.m. Sept. 25. Bayboro Brewing, 2390 Fifth Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-767-9666.

Piertoberfest: The Pier holds its first Oktoberfest with authentic music, games, beer and food. $10-$15. Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 25. St. Pete Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE. 727-289-8499.

Oktoberfest Extravaganza: Dig into a specialty Oktoberfest menu and sip on Oktoberfest Marzen at the annual tasting room extravaganza with oompah music from 2 to 6 p.m. No cover (food/drink additional). 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 26. 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-495-6002.

Oktoberfest Gulfport: Put on your lederhosen and dirndls and join in the fun with German-style beers, games and competitions. Free (food/drink additional). Noon-9 p.m. Sept. 26. 3007 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. 727-954-4109.

Oktoberfest: A taste of Germany comes to Lutz at this festival with food, drinks, games and live music. No cover (food/drink additional). 5-9 p.m. Oct. 1. Hilton Garden Inn, 2155 Northpointe Parkway, Lutz. 813-491-4900.

Oktoberfest: Swing your stein at Lead Foot City’s Oktoberfest with a car show, beer vendors, German bands, lederhosen, German dancers and ax throwing. $15-$20, 12 and younger free. 6-11 p.m. Oct. 2. Lead Foot City, 17109 Old Ayers Road, Brooksville. 844-532-3366.

Oktobeerfest: The annual celebration of fall seasonal beers includes live music and German food. No cover (food/drink additional). 7 p.m. Oct. 7-10. Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave. 727-736-0606.

Oktoberfest Tampa 2021: Tampa’s downtown Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed into a waterfront biergarten with a Bavarian food hall, Oktoberfest-style beers and Bavarian games, including stein hoisting, keg stacking, tug-o-war, a brat toss and carry the wench. $10, $25 three days; military/Tampa first responders free. 4-11 p.m. Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 10. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. 813-397-8722.

IBU Oktoberfest: This brew fest includes unlimited tastings, a food truck, live music and a VIP biergarten. Benefits homeless veterans. $25, $100 VIP. 2-6 p.m. Oct. 9. Nine State Brewery, 200 Tompkins St., Inverness. 352-419-4067.

OktoBEERfest: Celebrate with huge steins and boots of beer, German food, local ciders and cocktails, traditional Oktoberfest music, games and prizes. $19-$69. 4-8 p.m. Oct. 9. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5202.

Brewtoberfest: Enjoy unlimited samples of homebrew beer at this Oktoberfest-themed homebrew festival and ingredient challenge featuring a battle of German beers vs. pumpkin beers. Includes a special release of Barrel Aged Roasted Punkin’ Pie. $20. 4-8 p.m. Oct. 9. Craft Life Brewing, 6810 Tower Drive, Hudson. 727-378-4530.

Oktoberfest Dance: The German American Club of Spring Hill hosts this Oktoberfest Dance. Dress code is “trachten” (club casual); no shorts or jeans allowed. Food includes leberkaese, bratwurst, potato salad, sauerkraut and rolls (4:30-5:30 p.m.). Dancing to music by Manni Daum begins at 6. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $20-$24. 4-10 p.m. Oct. 15. Hernando Shrine Hall, 13400 Montour St., Brooksville. 352-688-3744.

Celtoberfest: This mashup of Celtic and Bavarian culture results in beer-swilling, kilt-wearing, lederhosen-loving Oktoberfest merriment with a lineup of Celtic music. $8-$10, $5 ages 10 and younger. 5 p.m. Oct. 15. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W, Bradenton. 941-567-6218.

Oktoberfest at the Library: Turn empty Pilsner bottles into painted bird feeders. Includes all supplies and birdseed. 13 and older only. $10. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 16. East Lake Community Library, 4125 East Lake Road S, Palm Harbor. 727-773-2665.

BarrieHaus Oktoberfest: Grab your 1-liter commemorative beer stein full of Oktoberfest Marzen beer and swing it to live traditional German music at this party with photos with Mayor Beer, giveaways, beers delivered tableside and traditional German food. $40. 1-4 p.m. Oct. 16. BarrieHaus Beer Co. Biergarten, 1403 E Fifth Ave., Tampa. 813-242-2739.

Upper Tampa Bay Oktoberfest: The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration of Halloween and Oktoberfest features authentic German food, German beer and other drinks, music, dancing, a carnival, midway, a doxie derby (2 p.m. Sunday), VW car show, trunk or treat, arts and crafts and contests for log sawing, stein holding and keg hurling. $5, 12 and younger free. 5-11 p.m. Oct. 22, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 23, noon-6 p.m. Oct. 24. Tampa Bay Downs, 11225 Race Track Road, Tampa. 813-855-4233.

Oktoberfest on the Beach: Sip German beers and sample international foods as you enjoy live music, arts and crafts vendors and contests for keg throwing and stein carrying. Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 23. Kolb Park, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach.