Deutsches Haus is bringing German culture back to New Orleans on the banks of Bayou St. John with Oktoberfest for three weekends of fun from October 9-24.
Historical Origins of Oktoberfest
Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest celebrates German Heritage on the Gulf Coast with its version of the centuries-old German tradition.
Known as the world's largest folk festivals, according to oktoberfest.de/en, the first Oktoberfest was a horse race held in celebration of a royal wedding in Bavaria in 1810.
Attendees loved it so much that it became a yearly event, and quickly a beer festival.
In 1825, the festival allowed 18 beer stalls circling the grounds. The stalls were replaced with six larger beer halls, solidifying it as a beer festival.
Oktoberfest will celebrate its 191st festival in Munich in September 2026.
German Food and Drink in Full Force
Deutsches Haus is keeping that drinking culture alive with dozens of drink options.
The 2026 Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest will feature more than 20 German beers, 13 wines, and 20 Schnapps.
Multiple traditional German foods are available to go with attendees' alcohol consumption.
Bratwursts, Schnitzel, Sauerkraut, and Bavarian Pretzels will be available for purchase, as well as weekly specials and desserts.
2026 Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest Activities
Deutsches Haus has traditional Oktoberfest activities along with normal American fair traditions scheduled across the three weekends.
Fairgoers can enjoy festival favorites such as Oompa music, Chicken Dance, and Masskrugstemme, the beer stein-holding contest, held daily.
New Orleans Track Club also hosts a 5k, starting at the fairgrounds and ending at the festival gates on the opening Saturday, October 10, at 10 a.m.
And you can try your luck at a raffle to win a wheelbarrow filled with beer, liquor, and wine.
2026 Deutsches Oktoberfest Admission and Parking
Admission to Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest is capped at $10 per person and free to kids 12 and under.
Cabrini High School's Dads Club is offering $20 parking at the school, which is approximately a seven-minute walk to the festival, or a short ride on their complimentary shuttle.
Parking on Deutsches House grounds is $25 on a first-come first-serve basis.
For more information on the festival and parking, visit deutscheshaus.org/oktoberfest/
