September 2025
The countdown is on to the most wunderbar time of the year!
The 57th Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest – the largest Bavarian festival in North America – gets underway September 28 – October 16th, 2025.
Here are 5 things you need to know as you get set to Be Bavarian and join in the festivities!
Go Clubbing!
There are 5 official German clubs in Waterloo Region – Alpine Club (which runs Habsburg Haus during Oktoberfest), Concordia Club, Hubertushaus, Schwaben Club, and Transylvania Club. Each club represents a specific Bavarian region and brings its own regional flare to the Oktoberfest celebrations.
Draw back and take in Bogenschuetzenfest (an archery competition) at Hubertushaus; celebrate Bavarian traditions with your kids at Schwaben Club’s Family Day; be entertained by authentic Bavarian dancers at Habsburg Haus; say Prosit! and raise a stein at Concordia Club where KW Oktoberfest all started back in 1969.
Tap into Willkommen Platz
From October 10 – 12, downtown Kitchener transforms into a bustling Bavarian village called Willkommen Platz (which translated means “Welcome Place”). It all begins with the Tapping of the Keg on Friday at noon that signals the official start to the Oktoberfest festivities. From there, you can raise a stein in the Biergarten, savour authentic German cuisine from one of Willkommen Platz’s many food vendors, do some shopping at the local vendor market or sing along during a live performance at the Circle K Main Stage! Friday night’s headliner is Steven Page, singer and former frontman of the Barenaked Ladies. Iconic Canadian rock band The Watchmen, Polka King Walter Ostanek and many other performers will keep the gemütlichkeit going all weekend.
BTW – did we mention entry to all events at Willkommen Platz is free? Now that’s wunderbar!!
(Pro Tip: While you’re at Willkommen Platz be sure to check out Hans Haus in the Square Peg space at Kitchener City Hall – it’s where you can get your official 2025 K-W Oktoberfest pin and other festival merch!)
Game on! Sticks & Steins
What do you get when you combine two icons of Canadiana – hockey and a cold brew? You get a fun new event that’s perfect for a Bavarian celebration!
Sticks & Steins is a high-energy 19+ ball hockey tournament with both competitive and fun divisions that brings together sport, culture and celebration during Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival. This two-day tournament takes place October 11 – 12 with teams hitting the pavement to show off their skills in a lively competition. When you’re ready for an intermission, head over to The Penalty Box Biergarten for a well-earned stein and some festival cheer.
It’s the Best of the Fest at KoolHaus!
KoolHaus at Bingemans is where tradition and entertainment collide for the ultimate Gemütlichkeit experience!
For three action-packed weekends, live music from top Canadian artists meets the sights, sounds, and flavors of a true Bavarian Oktoberfest. This year the entertainment line-up includes Theory of a Deadman, Tim Hicks, 54.40 and Amanda Marshall – along with festival favourite – and Bingemans’ Haus Band – the Golden Keys. KoolHaus also serves up a delicious array of traditional Bavarian treats, including giant pretzels, savory bratwurst, and, of course, steins of cold beer!
Oktoberfest loves a Parade
The annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade is a must-attend event for everyone! With lots of floats, inflatables and bands, the parade is bigger and better every year! The parade gets underway at 9:30 am on Monday, October 13th and winds its way through Kitchener and Waterloo. FYI: Dress for the weather – the parade goes rain or shine!
(Pro Tip: The annual Onkel Hans Food Drive will be collecting monetary donations and non-perishable food items in support of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region right before the parade begins. It’s the perfect way to show your ‘dankbar’ (thankful) side after experiencing an amazing weekend at the festival! )
**Looking for more ways to Be Bavarian during Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest? Check out the fun lineup of events on the festival’s website!**
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