Whitefish Oktoberfest festivities return for two weekends

Gather your friends, steins, dirndls and lederhosen, as the annual Great Northwest Oktoberfest returns to Whitefish for two weekends of festivities, Oct. 2 – 4 and Oct. 8 – 11. 

Since 2010, the Oktoberfest has brought authentic German beer, food music and dancing to Northwest Montana.  

Entertainment will be provided by Europa, one of the most sought-after Oktoberfest bands in America. On Saturday afternoon, the Flathead’s own German orchestra, the Bavarian Echoes, will take the stage.  

Admission is $10, and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent. Tickets are available only at the gate. 

The festivities kick off Thursday, Oct. 2 with Locals' Night, when Flathead County residents, with valid ID, are admitted free of charge.  

Fun activities will continue Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4, for family day. The acclaimed chicken dance contest will be at 2:45 p.m. 

Special competitions include the 11th annual Hop Queen competition on Oct. 8 and 9, and the Montana State Stein-Holding Championships on Oct. 11.  

The science of Oktoberfesting is an inexact science and the schedule below is subject to change, states the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.  

Thursday, October 2      Local’s Night – Flathead residents 21 and older get in free! 

  5 p.m.           Oktoberfest 2025 officially opens!
  5:30           Great Oktoberfest music by The MAC-toberfest Band!
  6:15       Keg-Tapping Ceremonies & the arrival of the Oktoberfest Hop Queen; Mens Log-Sawing Contest
  6:45 Polka, dance tunes & more by The MAC-toberfest Band
  7:45 Ladies Log-Sawing; Mens Stein-Holding
  8:15 Great dance music by The MAC-toberfest Band
  9 p.m. Mens & Ladies Stein-Holding
  9:30          More great music by The MAC-toberfest Band 

 Friday, October 3
  5 p.m.            Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
  5:30                Great Polka music & more by Accordion Bob
  6:30             Mens Log-Sawing Contest; Ladies Stein-Holding
  7:00      Oktoberfest/Oom-Pah music by the Hungry Five
  7:45                 Ladies Log-Sawing; Mens Stein-Holding
  8:15             Polka, oom-pah and more by the Hungry Five
  9:00             Mens & Ladies Stein-Holding Contests
  9:30                    Oktoberfest dance set with the DJs of Deutschland 

Saturday, October 4      Kids Day activities from Noon to 5 p.m. 
12 noon     Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
12:30 Great Polka music & more by Accordion Bob
1:30         Mens and Ladies Stein-Holding contest
2:00         Polka, folk & more with Accordion Bob
3:00          Kids Day Chicken Dance Championships
3:15 Mens & Ladies Stein-Holding contests
3:45 Polka music & more by Accordion Bob
4:45 Mens & Ladies Log-Sawing Contests
5:30           Polka, Oom-Pah & more with The Bavarian Echoes
6:00         Mens and Ladies Keg-Hurling
6:30       Mens Stein-Holding Contest; Ladies’ Log-Sawing
7:15        Traditional Oktoberfest music by The Bavarian Echoes
8:00        Mens Log-Sawing & Ladies Stein-Holding
8:30         Music by The Bavarian Echoes
9:15 Mens and Ladies Stein-Holding
9:45 Oktoberfest dance set with the DJs of Deutschland
10:30         Last call! 

Thursday, October 9
  5 p.m.     Oktoberfest opens for Week 2!
  5:30        The Europa Band takes the stage!
  6:15       Keg-Tapping Ceremonies & the arrival of the Oktoberfest Royalty; Mens Log-Sawing Contest
  6:45       Polka, Oom-pah, & more by The Europa Band
  7:30        Ladies Log-Sawing Contest & Mens Stein-Holding
  8:00     Great dance music by The Europa Band
  9 p.m.   Crowning of the 2025-26 Hop Queen; Mens & Ladies Stein-Holding
  9:30      More great music from The Europa Band 

 Friday, October 10
  5 p.m.     Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open!
  5:30        Great Oktoberfest music by The Europa Band
  6:15       Ladies Stein-Holding & Mens Log-Sawing
  6:45       Music by The Europa Band
  7:45       Mens Stein-Holding Contest & Ladies Log-Sawing
  8:15         Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by The Europa Band
  9             Mens & Ladies Stein-Holding Contests
  9:30         Music by The Europa Band 

Saturday, October 11 

12 noon      Oktoberfest Bigtop & Beer Garden open! 

12:30     Men’s Stein-Holding Contest 

1:00      Great German music by The Bavarian Echoes 

2:00       Ladies Stein-Holding contest 

2:30     Polka, waltzes, & more with The Bavarian Echoes 

3:15      Kids’ Day Chicken Dance Championships 

3:30       Men’s Stein-Holding contest  

4:15       Authentic Oktoberfest music by The Bavarian Echoes 

5:00    Ladies Stein-Holding 

5:30    Great Oktoberfest music by The Europa Band 

6:15      Mens’ and Ladies’ Keg-Hurling Contests  

6:45       Music by The Europa Band 

7:30     Mens’ Stein-Holding Contest 

8:15     Polka, waltzes, oom-pah and more by The Europa Band 

9:00      2025 Montana State Stein Holding Championships! 

9:30    Music by The Europa Band 

10:30    Last Call — see you in 2026!