Prost! Abilene Oktoberfest Returns September 18-19
Dust off your lederhosen, grab your stein and make plans for a weekend of German food, music and fun in Downtown Abilene!
The 9th Annual Abilene Oktoberfest returns Friday and Saturday, September 18-19, 2026, bringing two days of live music, traditional German dancing, competitions, food, bier, wine and family-friendly activities to downtown. Admission is FREE.
Whether you're coming for the German traditions, the competitions or simply a great fall weekend with friends, Oktoberfest is a perfect excuse to plan a road trip to Abilene.
Friday Night: Start the Weekend with a Prost!
The celebration begins Friday at 6 p.m. with food and booth vendors, bier and wine tents and a bounce house for the kids.
Then it's time to test your strength. The Stein Hoisting Competition begins at 7:30 p.m., but save some energy for the dance floor. At 8:30 p.m., 7 South Band takes the stage, bringing a high-energy live show to Downtown Abilene and keeping Oktoberfest going into the night. If you love great live music, Friday night is one you won't want to miss!
Come early, grab dinner, find your favorite brew and settle in for a Friday night in Downtown Abilene.
Saturday: A Full Day of Oktoberfest Fun
Saturday's festivities begin at 11 a.m., with the bounce house, bier and wine tents, food vendors and booth vendors open for the day.
Then the competitions begin!
The Stein Race kicks things off at 1 p.m., followed by the 5th Annual Abilene Oktoberfest Cornhole Tournament at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m., competitors can try their hand at Hammerschlagen, and the Keg Races begin at 4:30 p.m.
At 5 p.m., gather around the Main Stage for one of Oktoberfest's signature traditions, the Tapping of the Keg, Opening Ceremony and Goalschnitzen.
Think you've got what it takes? The Stein Hoisting Competition returns at 7 p.m.
Registration for the Stein Race, Cornhole Tournament, Hammerschlagen, Keg Races and Stein Hoisting Competition is available at the DJ booth.
German Dancing Returns to Abilene
One of the highlights of Abilene Oktoberfest is Blautaler Schuhplattler, bringing traditional German dancing to the Main Stage.
Catch performances Saturday at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The traditional dancers, German-inspired food and festival activities bring a taste of Oktoberfest tradition right to the heart of Kansas.
Sample Kansas Craft Beer
Beer lovers will also have two opportunities to join a Walnut River Brewing Company Beer Tasting on Saturday.
The first session begins at 2:30 p.m., followed by a second session at 6:30 p.m. Sign up online or at the Kansas Best Realty Beer Tent.
Saturday Night with Paramount
Don't head home when the sun goes down!
At 8:30 p.m., Paramount takes the stage for three hours of live music, keeping the celebration going until 11:30 p.m.
It's the perfect finale to a full day of Oktoberfest fun.
Make It an Abilene Weekend
Oktoberfest may be the main event, but it isn't the only reason to plan a September weekend in Abilene.
Come early or stay an extra day to explore Abilene's museums and attractions, discover its Wild West story, visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, browse downtown shops and boutiques, and enjoy local restaurants.
And if you love Friday night lights, you're in luck. Friday, September 18, is also Abilene High School's Homecoming football game against the Chapman Fighting Irish. The Abilene-Chapman matchup is one of the country's longest-running high school football rivalries, adding another longtime tradition to an already festive weekend.
Football, Homecoming and Oktoberfest on Friday. A full day of Oktoberfest activities and live music on Saturday.
Sounds like a pretty good reason to spend the weekend in Abilene!
9th Annual Abilene Oktoberfest
Friday & Saturday, September 18-19, 2026
Downtown Abilene, Kansas
FREE ENTRY
Authentic German food. German bier. Live music. Traditional dancing. Family fun.
Prost! See you in Downtown Abilene!
