Over 15,000 Expected to Attend FREE Family and Pet Friendly Event with MORE Fun, MORE German Food, MORE Beer and MORE Music, Crafts and Festivities
Encinitas, Calif. (August 23, 2023) — The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce has announced that its 27th annual Oktoberfest will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2023. This free family-oriented and pet-friendly regional festival and artisan faire is open to the public and celebrates German roots and culture. Live entertainment including Bavarian music and dance troupes, German food, international refreshments, two beer gardens and a diverse selection of local artisan products will be featured. A ceremonial parade is slated for noon. More than 15,000 guests are expected to attend this premier Oktoberfest in North San Diego County spanning1/3 of a mile along Mountain Vista Drive off El Camino Real between Wandering Road and Rambling Road.
As lively oompah music plays in the background, festival goers will be transported to Munich as steins of golden frothy beers flow freely and the aroma of sizzling sausages, crispy schnitzel and warm pretzels waft through the air. Highlights this year include a family fun zone, new street performers, games, prizes and an artisan craft fair featuring more than 200 local vendors and Encinitas businesses.
The food and refreshment tents will serve authentic German beer and food from Tarantino’s Gourmet Sausage and Taste of Poland. The Local Craft Beer Garden celebrates San Diego’s thriving craft beer scene and features local breweries Duck Foot Brewing, Burgeon Beer Company, G’s Hard Ginger Beer, hard cider from Bivouac Ciderworks and Eppig Brewing, who is also the beer stein sponsor. The Family Tent will exclusively serve beer from sponsor Modern Times Beer + Coffee.
Live entertainment will include Bavarian music from the Bavarian Beer Garden Band. Dance troupes from The Gemütlichkeit Alpine Dancers and the Encinitas Ballet will perform. Bach to Rock Encinitas will DJ the music at the Craft Beer Tent. And new this year: buskers (local street musicians) will be performing live throughout the festival, showcasing their talent. Additionally, San Diego’s unique photo booth experience Van & Gram will be on hand with their 1980 VW Vanagon “Penelope Cruise” to take Oktoberfest fun photos, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Chamber is committed to reducing its environmental impact and is excited to announce that they have partnered with the Rob Machado Foundation to provide water refill stations at this year’s Oktoberfest. A free shuttle will run to/from the Flora Vista Elementary School parking lot to the corner of Mountain Vista & Wandering Road from 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., and there will be parking for bicycles at each end of the event.
The German roots of Encinitas go back to the northeastern colony of Olivenhain, which was founded by German farmers in 1884. The Encinitas Oktoberfest coincides with Germany’s start of Oktoberfest in mid-September. Visit https://www.
About the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, organization that serves as the catalyst for business success in their community. They connect businesses and residents through events, networking opportunities, and marketing initiatives. For more information visit encinitaschamber.com
