Willkommen to Whitefish’s Great Northwest Oktoberfest

Welcome to two weekends of Bavarian fun, great music, cold beer, delicious food and plenty of friendly Oktoberfest competition! 

I’m especially excited about this year’s activities! Our presenting sponsors have some fun surprises in store, and most importantly, we work hard to keep Whitefish Oktoberfest true to its German roots. You won’t find many Oktoberfests in the Northwest more steeped in tradition than this one. Show your brawn in the keg-hurling competition, test your teamwork with a traditional two-person crosscut saw in the log-sawing competition, or see how long you can outlast the competition in the stein-holding contest. But be warned, we take stein holding seriously! Take one thirsty sip or lighten that stein by even a smidgen, and you’re out! 

Of course, no Oktoberfest is complete without great food! Our food trucks are serving up plenty of savory delights, including authentic German favorites and festival classics, from Schnitzel on a Pretzel Bun and Elk Brats to Sauerbraten, classic corn dogs, giant fried pickles and so much more. There’s something for every appetite, so be sure to come hungry! 

Let’s raise a toast to the beer! Bayern Brewing, Montana’s original craft brewery, is back with authentic German-style brews crafted by Munich-trained Brewmeisters who really know their stuff. On top of that, we’ve got four brews on tap from Hofbräu, one of Munich’s original Oktoberfest breweries! Not a beer drinker? We’ve got you covered with seltzers, ciders, wine and plenty of non-alcoholic options.  

Beyond the beer and lederhosen Oktoberfest has become a favorite Whitefish tradition, bringing about 8,000 people to Whitefish’s Depot Park, from the Flathead Valley, around Montana, southwestern Canada, and the entire country. It’s what we love at the Whitefish Chamber, bringing people together, supporting local businesses and creating a vibrant community. 

I encourage you to check out the schedule in this program for things such as the band performances from MAC-toberfest, Bavarski and, of course, the Flathead Valley’s own Bavarian orchestra, the Bavarian Echoes. Add in keg-tapping ceremonies, the Hop Queen competition and the official crowning of our 2026–27 Hop Queen, and there’s plenty more to raise a stein to! 

An event this size takes an incredible amount of work behind the scenes. A huge DANKE! to our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, entertainers and community partners who make the magic happen. We couldn’t do it without you. 

Now grab a stein, gather your friends and get ready for some Bavarian fun. 

Ein Prosit! Cheers to Oktoberfest! 

Katherine Archibald is the executive director of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.