The Austin Oktoberfest is an annual fundraising event held by the German Texan Heritage Society featuring German beer, food, music and artisan vendors. The organization’s historic school building is located in the center of the Red River district, just behind the Mohawk music venue. Their terraced garden is the perfect place for festival-goers to chow down on some German food while watching Polka music on the elevated stage.
“This is the best hidden secret of Austin,” said Chris Markley, the Executive Director of the German Texan Heritage Society. “We like to open it up and have [festivals so] people can come experience the space. We don’t open it up everyday…”
Mr. Markley explained that the organization only opens its doors to the public during fundraising events including: The German Auto Show, German-Texan Beer and Wine Festival (Maifest), Oktoberfest and Christmas Market.
The Christmas Market will be on December 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information on buying tickets, check the Texan German Heritage Society website.
About the German Texan Heritage Society
The German Texan Heritage Society offers free German language classes to all ages at its historic Red River location.
“[The organization] it’s great, it brings us together as a German-Texan community.” Chris said. “Members don’t have to be German, anyone can join. We’re very open and we want to show them the beautiful place we have.”
The German Heritage Society boasts 900 members and has 100 volunteers, acting as a place of connection for many Austinites. The organization also provides a way for Texans to uncover their German roots through offering genealogy resources. The organization has been in the Austin area for 40 years.
More information about Austin Oktoberfest
Hosted on October 12 this year, the Austin Oktoberfest attracted around 1,300 visitors. The event is catered every year by local German catering company Ines catering and audiences can expect performances by Yodel Blitz, Walburg Boys, and Off the Grid. The upcoming Christmas Market on December 7 is expected to attract 3,000 visitors.
History of Oktoberfest in Munich
The Austin Oktoberfest is put on in honor of the annual festival in Germany. Oktoberfest is a two-week long annual festival in Munich, Germany. The festival dates back to October 12, 1810. It began as a celebration of King Louis I to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen’s marriage.
Oktoberfest has evolved and continues to be held annually in Munich, attracting more than six million people every year. Local brewers often construct temporary plywood beer halls large enough to seat 6,000 guests. There are also parades with beer wagons, dances as well as other forms of entertainment.
According to a source who I met at Austin Oktoberfest: the schools in Germany are not allowed to give exams during the two weeks of Oktoberfest.
