It’s almost that time again. Time for German bier, Bavarian music, family fun, pretzels, strudel, bratwurst, folk dancing, and more at the 8th Annual OktOBERfest at Ober Gatlinburg! Held this September 22 – October 29, OktOBERfest at Ober is just a month away now! Each October, Ober Gatlinburg celebrates this beloved German tradition with a mini version of the original Oktoberfest. No less festive, it features delicious food, good beer, and plenty of fun for all ages!
The Food
Traditional German food is on the menu at OktOBERfest, from schnitzel, sizzling bratwurst, and giant turkey legs to strudel, soft pretzels, and tangy sauerkraut. During Ober Gatlinburg’s OktOBERfest, the Seasons of Ober Restaurant transforms its menu into an Oktoberfest-approved lineup! Of course, there are plenty of other options for the kiddos or those who just want something different!
The Bier
What would OktOBERfest be without the bier?! Open from noon until 6 p.m. daily (7 p.m. Saturdays), the Bier Garten at Ober Gatlinburg’s OktOBERfest features a great lineup of seasonal and Bavarian beers. Those 21 and over can enjoy samples and pick a favorite, with different featured breweries each weekend. Grab a drink and enjoy the Smoky Mountain surroundings, have it served alongside a bratwurst, or sit back while you watch the Bavarian Fun Makers in action!
The Music
Year after year, the Bavarian Fun Makers Oompah Band has brought the OktOBERfest celebration to life, and 2017 will be no exception. Dressed in authentic lederhosen, the Bavarian Fun Makers perform Bavarian folk dances, play oompah music, have sing-a-longs, yodel, and more! Showtimes are 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays; and 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Just be sure to get there early (at least 30 minutes) for a good seat!
Fun for the Kids
OktOBERfest isn’t all about the beer. Ober Gatlinburg offers plenty of fun things for the kids as well. While you’ll enjoy some great food and beer, the kids can ride the Ski Mountain Coaster, take a turn around the indoor ice skating rink, meet the animals at the Wildlife Encounter, ride the Alpine Slide, check out the Chair Swing, play arcade games, putt around with mini golf, wind through the Amaze’n Maze, or enjoy awesome views on the Scenic Chairlift!
After you grab a drink at the Outdoor Bier Garten, take the kids to check out the outdoor games and inflatables set up from noon until 6 p.m. Sundays through Fridays and noon until 7 p.m. on Saturdays. They’ll even have FREE face painting on Saturdays for the kids!
The History
Oktoberfest started in 1810 with the celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen’s Royal Wedding on October 12. Munich’s citizens were invited to join in the 5-day celebration. The Munich, Germany, festival now falls over 16 days, with more than 6 million people attending! The massive event requires 1.5+ million gallons of beer, hundreds of thousands of sausages and spit-roasted chickens, and entertainment to last more than 2 weeks!
Cabins for YOU
After a day of dancing, drinking, and filling up on Bavarian favorites, you’ll want to kick up your feet and relax. We have hundreds of cabins to choose from, offering space for couples to big groups. We also have budget-friendly cabins to help you save and pet-friendly cabins so even your 4-legged family members can come along.
And our cabins are loaded with awesome amenities and the conveniences you enjoy at home. Browse our cabins online to see what fits your needs, but you’ll find big screen TVs, washer/dryers, Wi-Fi, private home theaters, private indoor pools, rec rooms with game tables, fully equipped kitchens, king-size beds, bunk beds for the kids, outdoor hot tubs, indoor jetted tubs, community pool access, mountain views, and so much more!
More Ober Gatlinburg Fun
Even if you can’t make it for OktOBERfest, don’t miss out on the fun at Ober Gatlinburg. Year-round, they offer fun for families – from skiing in winter to outdoor games in summer. You can spend an entire day exploring and playing here with:
- Aerial Tramway
- Ski Mountain Coaster
- Alpine Slide
- Snow tubing
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Indoor ice skating
- Scenic Chairlift
- Water raft rides
- Wildlife Encounter
- Chair Swings
- Carousel
- Shopping & Dining
- Fresh fudge, and more!