Oktoberfest started in 1810 as a wedding ceremony for Crown Prince Ludwig of Germany and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The royal couple invited the citizens of Munich to attend a huge celebration in front of the city gates, and the rest is history! The festival spread like a lively chicken dance (a traditional Oktoberfest event), and you can now pay homage to your Shepherd’s Germanic ancestry at destinations all over the U.S. Fido’s lederhosen are not mandatory at these awesome pet-friendly Oktoberfest celebrations, but they are definitely recommended.
Celebrate Barktoberfest With Fido
Posted by Billy Francis
Dogtoberfest
It's beer festival meets dog parade at Dogtoberfest in Palos Verdes Estates! Humans and dogs alike are invited to join the festivities at South Coast Botanic Garden every weekend in October. Enjoy a gorgeous walk with Fido in the garden while you taste a variety of beers, take a spin on the dancefloor with your pooch, shop at a doggy marketplace, and let your pup show his skills on an obstacle course. Dottie’s at the Koi Pond will be serving up bratwursts, warm soft pretzels and other Bavarian favorites. Be sure to pick up a “barkuterie box” for your furry friend, too. Admission varies for humans but is $5 per dog.
Dogtoberfest will take place on weekends from October 5 to 27, 2024 with three two-hour time slots per day. Explore more of the coastal community and vacation at this stunning Palos Verdes escape.
Bavarian Belle Riverboat
Bavarian Belle Riverboat is a popular attraction for visitors to the German-themed town of Frankenmuth. A featured attraction in Ruff Guide to the United States, this handsome vessel invites tail-waggers to join the fun. Board with your pup to enjoy views of the town from the Cass River and learn more about the history of the region. The authentic, stern-driven paddlewheel riverboat has an open-air canopied upper deck and a fully enclosed lower deck. Take a float during breaks at Frankenmuth Oktoberfest. The annual event pays homage to the town’s German theme by hosting competitive Wiener Dog Races, authentic music and delicious treats. After your ride, head next door to the River Place Shops, where furry friends are welcome inside many of the retail stores. Stop by Hello Cats & Dogs to pick up a yummy treat for your good boy.
Nicknamed ‘Michigan’s Little Bavaria’ for its German heritage and architectural style, Frankenmuth is home to many Bavarian-themed shops and attractions. Extend your visit with Fido by staying at the Drury Inn & Suites Frankenmuth. Located on Main Street, within easy walking distance of all the downtown attractions, the hotel offers comfortable rooms, free hot breakfast, and a nightly happy hour.
La Mesa Oktoberfest
The biggest Oktoberfest celebration in San Diego County, La Mesa Oktoberfest brings the best of Germany to the Pacific Coast. Sink your teeth into traditional eats from more than 40 food vendors and wash it down with a frothy stein of beer in the biergarten. The live German Polka Bands provide the soundtrack for a trip to the Dackeldorf Dachshund Village. The dog-centric area of the festival hosts classic canine activities like a doggie fashion show, trick contest and wiener dog races. Your pup can also try his hand at some traditional yodeling in the Howl-deling contest.
Book a weekend stay at this unique vacation rental that proves there’s no place like “dome”.
Denver Oktoberfest
With the exception of snakes, all pets are welcome at Denver Oktoberfest. This joyful celebration of sauerkraut, brats and Bavarian brunch is an awesome excuse for you and your pooch to stuff your faces and party like it’s 1810 all over again. Don't miss the much-anticipated Long Dog Derby, which is held on an artificial grass racetrack to ensure the ultimate race conditions. All breeds, shapes and sizes are invited to cheer on the speedy wieners from outside the fenced-in area.
Rest and recover at the beautiful Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, where four-legged guests are welcome with treats, beds and bowls.
Mount Angel Oktoberfest
The Old World buildings, authentic eateries and picturesque churches make any visit to Mount Angel feel like a trip to a Bavarian town, and there’s nowhere better to toast the German flag than the official Mount Angel Oktoberfest & Wiener Dog Races. Join the crowds for the traditional street dances, biergarten brews and Dachshund heats. Wiener Dog Races are a highlight on Sunday of Oktoberfest. These fierce competitors go head-to-head or perhaps head-to-tail on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They line up at the starting line and tear down the race field at tremendous speed!
Settle down for the night at the Holiday Inn Salem an IHG Hotel in nearby Salem. The grassy pet relief area is a nice place for your pooch to practice his traditional German dance of the Schuhplattler.
Cullman Oktoberfest
Cullman Oktoberfest & Wiener Dog Race in Alabama encompasses all the best things about this boozy European bash. Dogs are invited to ride in a wagon with their owners, soak up the sun in the biergarten, and enjoy traditional German music. The main events are the much-celebrated Wiener Dog Races. There’s no better way to honor your Dachshunds’ Deutsch roots than to enter them into this pint-sized sprint to the finish line. Which wiener will have the legs to finish first?
If you want to try stargazing with your pooch after the day's festivities, this hidden mini home at the top of a pasture is a great place to start.
Hermann Oktoberfest
German immigrants settled in Hermann in the 1830s, bringing with them the traditions and architecture of their homeland. When you arrive in town for Hermann Oktoberfest, you’ll see a sprinkling of European flavor on every corner of town. The festival is celebrated every weekend in October, giving you and your pooch ample time to wander the booths of handcrafted items, surrounded by the sounds of traditional music and excited revelers. The fall colors in this scenic area are a treat for the eyes, too. Enjoy all that Hermann Oktoberfest has to offer by extending your stay at the Hermann Hill Vineyard & Inn. Dogs are welcome at this picturesque vineyard and inn year-round, where they host pet-friendly wedding ceremonies, bake dog biscuits with their own special recipe, and welcome two- and four-legged guests to stay overnight.
Barktoberfest Weekend at 4 Paws Kingdom
Enjoy the great American tradition of camping with your pooch at 4 Paws Kingdom, a full-service campground catering exclusively to adults and their furry friends. Bring Fido to Barktoberfest Weekend at 4 Paws Kingdom and you’re sure to have an unforgettable vacation with like-minded humans and their dogs. During your weekend, your dog can spend hours of fun in the campground’s eight fully fenced dog parks. He can take a dip in the swimming pond, practice jumps and weave through poles on the agility equipment, or fetch a stick from the stream. Afterward, cleaning up is a breeze at the grooming station and doggy spa. Barktoberfest Weekend activities will include a meet and greet, lure coursing, a German-inspired dinner, live music from the Josey Wails Band, and more. You must be a camping guest of the resort to participate.
4 Paws Kingdom Campground caters to RV owners by providing full hook-up sites with free cable and wireless internet, along with a bathhouse and laundry facilities. Don’t have an RV? Air-conditioned and heated cabin and trailer rentals are also available. Those accommodations include a Queen-size bed with a futon or sofa sleeper, a full kitchen or kitchenette, and an outdoor grill.