Big Bear Lake
Octoberfest

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Oktoberfest
39th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Weekends, September 19th - October 31st

Planning for the 39th Annual Oktoberfest is well underway. This event enjoys a long built loyal following attracting 18,000 to 20,000 visitors over the six and a half week show.

For six and a half consecutive weekends every fall, a very special extended family in Big Bear comes together and invites Southern California to join in the celebration. A celebration carried on over the years with the traditions of a simpler era. An era when life was simple and friends and family were all that mattered.

And that is exactly what makes the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest such a long-standing tradition. It is about getting together with good company and becoming part of a family. It is celebrating the passion of life . . . creating memories that bring a smile to your face.

This year's festival once again features live German entertainment direct from Germany. The Franken-Power Express band from Bavaria will be performing weekends - September 26 & 27, October 2, 3, & 4 and October 10 & 11. The Southland's top German band - The Express, will also be among our entertainment line-up, kicking off our 39th Oktoberfest, September 19 & 20. As well as performing weekends - October 17 & 18, October 24 & 25 and October 31.

Activity Schedule

Schedule of Events
(Schedule is subject to change)

Ongoing events taking place each weekend include:

* Log Sawing & Stein Holding Contests - held several times throughout the day both Saturdays and Sundays.
* The Safe Slam Beer Drinking contest is held every Saturday evening after 8:00 p.m.
* Children's contests held Sundays at approximately 3:00 p.m.
* Outside Budenstrasse (Game Booths, Exhibitors, Petting Zoo) is open Saturdays from 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Please note: On Saturdays after 6:00 p.m. only persons 21 years and older will be admitted. However, families with children who have entered Oktoberfest prior to 6:00 p.m. will not be asked to leave Oktoberfest after 6:00 p.m.

Weekend 1
America's Heroes Weekend
(Free admission for Past and Present Military, Law Enforcement & Fire Fighters)

Saturday, September 19 (Noon - Midnight)
12:30 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight - The Express Band, Southern California's Premier German band
1:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies
2:00 p.m. - Big Bear Lake Polka Tots
6:00 p.m. - Joyful Noise Cloggers
Special All-American tribute to the Troops

Sunday, September 20 (Noon - 5:30 p.m.)
12:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - The Express Band
2:00 p.m. - Big Bear Lake Polka Tots

Weekend 2
Saturday, September 26 (Noon - Midnight)
12:30 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight - Die Franken Power Express, direct from Germany
2:00 p.m. - Big Bear Lake Polka Tots
6:00 p.m. - Oktoberfest Queen Stein Carrying Contest Preliminary

Sunday, September 27 (Noon - 5:30 p.m.)
12:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Die Franken Power Express, direct from Germany
2:00 p.m. - Big Bear Lake Polka Tots

Weekend 3
Friday, October 2 (6:00 p.m. - Midnight)
LOCAL'S NIGHT
6:00 p.m. - Midnight - Die Franken Power Express, direct from Germany
7:00 p.m. - The Joyful Noise Cloggers

Saturday, October 3 (Noon - Midnight)
12:30 p.m. - Midnight - Die Franken Power Express, direct from Germany
2:00 p.m. - Danube Swabain Dancers
5:00 p.m. - Danube Swabain Dancers
6:00 p.m. - Oktoberfest Queen Stein Carrying Contest Preliminary

Sunday, October 4 (Noon - 5:30 p.m.)
Noon - 5:30 p.m. - Die Franken Power Express, direct from Germany
2:00 p.m. - Danube Swabain Dancers

Weekend 4
Saturday, October 10 (Noon - Midnight)
12:30 p.m. - Midnight - Die Franken Power Express, direct from Germany
2:00 p.m. - Big Bear Lake Polka Tots
5:00 p.m. - Joyful Noise Cloggers
6:00 p.m. - Semi Finals Oktoberfest Queen Stein Carrying Contest

Sunday, October 11 (Noon - 6:00 p.m.)
Noon - 5:30 p.m. - Die Franken Power Express, direct from Germany
2:00 p.m. - Big Bear Lake Polka Tots

Weekend 5
Saturday, October 17 (Noon - Midnight)
12:30 p.m. - Midnight - The Express Band, Southern California's Premier German band
2:00 p.m. - Gemutlichen Schuhplattlers
5:00 p.m. - Gemutlichen Schuhplattlers
6:00 p.m. - Finals Oktoberfest Queen Stein Carrying Contest

Sunday, October 18 (Noon - 5:30 p.m.)
Noon - 5:30 p.m. - The Express Band, Southern California's Premier German band
2:00 p.m. - Gemutlichen Schuhplattlers

Weekend 6
Saturday, October 24 (Noon - Midnight)
12:30 p.m. - Midnight - The Express, Southern California's Premier German band
2:00 p.m. - Cripple Creek Cloggers
5:00 p.m. - Cripple Creek Cloggers

Sunday, October 25 (Noon - 5:30 p.m.)
Noon - 5:30 p.m. - The Express Band, Southern California's Premier German band
2:00 p.m. - Cripple Creek Cloggers

Weekend 7
Saturday, October 31 (Noon - Midnight)
12:30 p.m. - Midnight - The Express Band, Southern California's Premier German band
2:00 p.m. - Big Bear Lake Polka Tots
3:00 p.m. - Children's Halloween Costume Contest
9:00 p.m. - Adult Halloween Costume Contest
10:30 p.m. - Auf Wiedersehen - Closing Ceremonies

Go to Oktoberfest Website