Long Beach Oktoberfest, the city’s largest celebration of the German tradition, has opted not to continue into 2024. And while that is a loss, there are plenty of other celebrations happened to kick off the Long Beach Oktoberfest season.

Wait—Long Beach Oktoberfest was canceled?

Long Beach Oktoberfest quietly discontinued their website and left their last social media post on 2023, the year it held its third iteration.

Organized by the stellar team behind The Bamboo Club, Jim Ritson and Brett Gallo, Ritson has assured me that they are “hoping to reignite the event next year.” It was the only celebration that spanned throughout the whole season with vigor, taking over the massive parking lot at the Scottish Rite Theatre in DTLB. Under an 800-square-foot tent, it felt like a proper festival, if there was one.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t other stellar Oktoberfest options happening throughout the season in Long Beach.

Long Beach Beer Lab Oktoberfest Kick-off (Sept. 13 through Sept. 16)

518 Willow Ave. / 4000 E. Anaheim St.

“Our Oktoberfest Kick-Off Weekend is packed with beer steins and lager specials, food specials, sourdough soft pretzels, and release of our Marzen Oktoberfest and Oktoberfriends Festbier,” said co-owner and master brewer Levi Fried.

Expect house-made pretzels, deep-dish pizzas, the aforementioned fest-centric beers, and, of course, good times. And that is especially true on Monday, Sept. 16, when the space hosts The Vandals for what is not really a Vandals reunion, more than an entirely unique take on entertainment from the band that might or might not include magic and ukeleles.

Ten Mile Brewing Oktoberfest & Anniversary Party (Sept. 14, Noon-4PM)

1136 E. Willow St. (in Signal Hill)

“This is our 7th anniversary and the 7th Annual Oktoberfest,” said co-owner Jesse Sundstrom. “We will have a wiener dog race at 12:30PM. Log Sawing throughout the day and two stein hoist competitions: One at 1:30PM and the big one at 3:30PM, where the winner will be getting a brand new mini-beer fridge. We will also bring back our kids’ stein hoist at 3PM.”

And yes, the stein host? It is one of the best in the region as the Ten Mile crew not only sells their own steins (including kids’ root beer steins) but utilizes the official rules of the U.S. Stein Hoist Association.

“We will be bringing back the crowd favorite Flammkuchen pizza as well as delicious pretzels with mustard and a house-made beer cheese,” Jesse added. “We will also have two different types of brats—a Nuremberg-style and a spicy cheddar—served with caramelized onions and bell peppers.”

Five fest biers will be featured:

• Sunnyside (German Pilsner)
• Evidence of Autumn (Oktoberfest)​​​​​​​​
• Czech Prosim (Czech Premium Pale Lager)
• Koji (Japanese Rice Lager)
• Colonia (Kolsch)

Rasselbock Long Beach Oktoberfest (Sept. 21 through Oct. 26)

4020 Atlantic Ave.

While Rasselbock will have live music and festivities every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 26, the real party is the kick-off on Sept. 21 at 3PM. And I really suggest you make your reservation now because it eventually sells-out. In addition to the space’s amazing German food and beer, celebrations also include games such as stein-holding competitions, live music and more. Staff will be dressed in lederhosen and you’re encouraged to join them in traditional garb.

Click here to make a reservation.

ISM Brewing Long Beach Oktoberfest (Sept. 21, 11AM-10PM)

210 E. 3rd St. Unit A

There’s no question that ISM Brewing is hoisting itself up as the city’s best brewery less than a year into operation. After scoring their first medal just this past February and following that with wins at the Brewers Cup of California, ISM Brewing—the brewery that over the former Beachwood space on The Promenade in DTLB—added three more medals to that collection from the World Beer Cup.

So it makes sense that they will be hosting their first Oktoberfest event. What’s on hand? For one, the release of their Ditte Strasser festbier, poured in liter mugs. Pretzel necklace-making kits. Liederhosen and costume contest with prizes. And possibly a special food menu—but that is up in the air until the event gets closer to reality.

SteelCraft Long Beach Oktoberfest (Sept. 21, Noon-10PM)

3768 Long Beach Blvd.

The annual tradition at SteelCraft in Bixby Knolls continues. Here’s the schedule:

• 1PM-6PM | Live Polka Music ft. West Coast Prost
• 1:30PM | Best Dressed Contest
• 2:30PM | Wiener Dog Races
• 3:30PM | Stein Holding Round 1 – Women
• 4:30PM | Stein Holding Round 2 – Men
• 6PM-8PM | DJ set

Doodlefest at Trademark Brewing (Sept. 28, Noon-10PM)

233 E. Anaheim St.

The annual tradition that is Doodlefest continues at Trademark Brewing on Anaheim Street. Colossus, Honey Cake Horse, and a variety of pretzels and sausages will be on for food while the brewery releases its annual Doodlefest bier. On top of that:

• Stein + Fill + Pretzel Necklace special promo, or “try our limited-edition German-inspired Doodlefest beer, which drinks best in a giant stein,” said co-owner Sterling Steffan.
• Kids Doodle Buckets (pretzel toss), Hammer Schlagen, a Doggo & Human Costume Contest, a Dog Ice Cream Eating Contest, a Stein Holding Contest (Mens & Womens). All games are with prizes.
• Starting at 7PM, they will also have DOODS ‘N DRAG show with a live DJ, “We are calling all drag queens, kings, and things,” Sterling said. “Showcase your talent and battle for the crown for a good cause.”
• Free parking is available at their lot: 1401 Long Beach Blvd with 100+ spaces.

Pre-order your 1L Trademark Doodlefest Beer Stein at an über-special pre-sale price. Includes:

• Souvenir 1L Doodlefest Stein;
• One 1-liter fill of Doodlefest bier;
• One Oktoberfest pretzel necklace;
• Free entry to stein-holding contest

Free RSVP to let them know you’re coming.

Port City Tavern Oktoberfest (Sept. 28, 3PM-10PM)

4306 E. Anaheim St.

There’s no question that Port City Tavern already serves up some of the city’s best cocktails—but few know just how kind and caring the watering hole is when it comes to the community. Thier Oktoberfest? That’s no exception, as the proceeds will benefit cancer research at St. Baldrick’s. After last year’s inaugural fundraiser scored over $3,000, this year they’ve increased their goal to $8,000 this year.

Included? A biergarten, food, live music, games, contests and prizes.

“We’re excited and honored to be hosting this Oktoberfest fundraiser for the second year in a row,” said Dylan Davis, owner of Port City. “This event not only brings people together for a day of fun and great music but also supports an incredibly important cause. With the help of our generous community, we’re confident we can reach—and hopefully exceed—our fundraising goal for St. Baldrick’s.”

Even more, local barber and child cancer survivor Hayley Mackanin (known as Hair Hunny) will be on hand for free head shaves to demonstrate solidarity with child cancer patients.

“As a two-time childhood brain cancer survivor turned small business owner, I’m so excited to barber at the 2nd Annual Oktoberfest for St. Baldrick’s,” Hayley said. “I’m looking forward to shaving heads and raising money for this incredible foundation that funds childhood cancer research.”

Those who wish to have their head shaved by Hayley can sign up ahead of time and create a fundraising page to collect donations online. 

Long Beach Bear Lab Anniversary and Oktoberfest (Oct. 20, Noon-5PM)

518 Willow Ave. / 4000 E. Anaheim St.

The annual celebration of Long Beach Beer Lab’s anniversary has always been combined with a full-on Oktoberfest in their backlot. And as with tradition, the only form of currency are wooden tokens that can be purchased in advance here or at the event, with each token costing $5.

As always, the event will kick off with the annual dog race tradition. Participants and their pets must arrive on-site no later than 12:30 PM for check-in at the welcome booth. Two handlers will be required to be at each end of the race track. This race is open to all dogs 40lbs or under. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. The race will begin at 1PM to kick-off their Oktoberfest celebration

On top of that:

• New beer releases.
• Stein holding competition.
• Special merch: Score some exclusive 7th Anniversary & Oktoberfest swag.
• Kids’ activities: “Our Oktoberfest is a blast for the whole family,” co-owner Levi Fried said. “We’ll have two epic bounce houses, face painting, balloon twisting, an ice cream truck, and cotton candy to keep the little ones (and the young at heart) grinning from ear to ear.”
• Small business popup shops: Support local vendors and discover hand-crafted unique finds.
• Plenty of grub: “We’ll have some amazing food vendors, plus our kitchen will be serving up mouthwatering treats like soft sourdough pretzels, cheesy focaccia deep-dish style pizza squares, and of course, freshly popped popcorn,” co-owner Harmony Sage said. All Long Beach Beer Lab food will cost one token.
• Live music: Jam out to live performances that will keep you grooving all afternoon long.

Ambitious Ales: Das Knolls (Now through tap out)

4019 Atlantic Ave.

Okay, so this isn’t a formal Oktoberfest celebration but this is for the crowd that maybe doesn’t want the party or wants to take the Oktoberfest back home for their own shindig: Ambitious Ales has brewed their German-style festbier, Das Knolls, and it is already available on tap and in four-packs to go.

“This pale German Lager has malt-forward flavor-ations delicately balanced with Hallertauer Mittelfrueh hops,” said Garrett Carroll. “Complete with notes of sweet bread, slightly floral’n’fruity resulting in a smooth, clean, light and drinkable experience.”

Once again: Das Knolls is available on draft and in four-packs.