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Walnut Creek Oktoberfest Returns Sept. 25 & 26

The Walnut Creek Downtown Association's festival features an enhanced Chillgarten, German-inspired food, live music, and more!

(WALNUT CREEK, Calif. 8.20.26) – Forget the passport; Bavaria is coming to downtown Walnut Creek this fall. Walnut Creek Downtown Association's annual Oktoberfest returns to Civic Park East on Sept. 25 & 26, welcoming more than 15,000 guests for a fun-filled weekend celebrating German traditions with authentic food, festive drinks, live entertainment, and activities for all ages.

Enjoy an enhanced Chillgarten, a relaxed 21-and-over lounge where guests can kick back with specialty cocktails, enjoy a dedicated bar, and experience a festive good time. Festivalgoers can look forward to an expanded lineup of authentic German bands and folk dancers, live music on multiple stages, family-friendly attractions, and returning favorites throughout the park. And of course, Oktoberfest is packed with German beers and local craft brews.

“From the reimagined Chillgarten to the lively music and family traditions, Oktoberfest makes you want to stick around for a while, raise a stein, and enjoy the fun,” said Kathy Hemmenway, Executive Director, Walnut Creek Downtown Association.

Festival Highlights:

  • Chillgarten (21+) – A lounge experience featuring a dedicated bar, specialty cocktails, and more.
  • German Entertainment + Live Music – Traditional German bands and authentic Bavarian folk dancers throughout the weekend, including Nature Friends Schuhplattler dancers, BlowMusik, and Deutscher Musik Verein San Francisco. And rock out to bands like Mad Apple, The Ripplers, and the Dive Bombers.
  • Contests – Stein holding, yodeling, and costume contests on both Friday and Saturday.
  • Artisan Vendors – Dozens of artisan and authentic food vendors, ranging from German cuisine to local Bay Area favorites.
  • Kinder Karneval – The kids zone is filled with giant slides, train rides, mini-golf, games, and family entertainment.

Getting There: $10 event parking is available at 1111 Civic Drive; additional street parking and nearby garages are available. BART accessible (less than a 10-minute walk), and FREE bike valet from the Iron Horse Trail.

Event Hours: Friday, Sept. 25: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 26: Noon – 9 p.m.

Tickets/Information: Admission is free to enter the festival. Drink packages start at $12, Kids Karneval wristbands will be available for purchase onsite. To learn more and view the entertainment lineup, go to walnutcreekdowntown.com.

Note to Editors: High-resolution event images, video, and logos are available. Media are welcome to attend Oktoberfest.

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About Walnut Creek Downtown: WCD is a registered 501(c)(6) organization that manages a Walnut Creek Business Improvement District (BID) promoting the downtown business community through advocacy, beautification, events, and marketing. WCD's 501(C)(3) partner organization, Community Partnership for Walnut Creek Downtown, develops, supports, and promotes artistic, cultural, and public events like the Locust Street Festival, Oktoberfest, and the seasonal ice rink Walnut Creek on Ice.

Media Contact:
Elisabeth Nardi
The Marcom Group
elisabeth@themarcommgroup.com