Ein Prosit! Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest on O‘ahu
Nine places to celebrate with German beer, bratwurst and plenty of lederhosen.
What began as a Bavarian tradition to celebrate a prince’s wedding has now, happily, become Oktoberfest. This festival of great German beers, food, and music has spread around the world—even the middle of the Pacific. So grab a stein, bring your empty belly and enjoy these festivals around O‘ahu.
SEE ALSO: Kalihi Beer Returns as Olohana Brewpub in Chinatown
Photo: Alexander Gates
Waikiki Brewing Co. Oktoberfest Party
Saturday, Sept. 20, 3 to 10 p.m.
Free entry, pay as you go
Waikiki Brewing Co. is putting on a party for the first time in many years, and it’s releasing four new Oktoberfest styles of beer to celebrate. In the brewpub’s parking lot off Ala Moana Boulevard, the event is free entry with German street-style food specials for purchase and live music by the Matternhorns. Purchase of a limited-edition stein for $35 includes your first full pour (it’s $25 without the beer); refills are $10 all night.
Photo: Courtesy of Hana Koa Brewing
Hana Koa Brewing Co. Oktoberfest in the Back Alley
Saturday, Sept. 20, 5 to 8 p.m.
Free entry, pay as you go
Hana Koa’s party in the alley behind the brewery features DJ Foozy and is dog-friendly! Saturday will see the release of their annual Hammershlager Festbier Style Lager, which will be on tap for a few weeks. Admission is free, with beer and food available for purchase, including an Oktoberfest-exclusive double bratwurst plate with potato salad ($28). More German food will be available until Oct. 4, including beer brat dogs ($9) with optional onions, mustard and sauerkraut; and a knotted soft pretzel ($6).
Lanikai Brewing Co. Oktoberfest in Kailua
Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Free entry, pay as you go
This Windward O‘ahu brewery is celebrating Oktoberfest at its taproom in Kailua. If you happen to be going to Hawai‘i Island, there’s another Oktoberfest party at the new Volcano taproom on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Off the Wall Craft Beer & Wine Oktoberfest
Thursday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Free entry, pay as you go
Honolulu’s only pour-your-own beer bar is celebrating with German-style eats and music. The first 10 people to arrive in Oktoberfest festive wear will get a free pretzel with beer cheese and brat sandwich.
Oktoberfest 2025 at Hale Koa Hotel
Friday, Sept. 26 from 9 p.m.
Tickets: $65–$75 online
Reserved for active or retired U.S. military and DOD ID holders and their guests, the festival returns indoors this year to the Banyan Tree Showroom. It sells out quickly, so book tables in advance. Expect German foods like sauerbraten, schweinshaxe, bratwurst and more with a few German beer selections for purchase. A live German band plays dance songs all night, with breaks for stein-hoisting competitions.
Photo: Alexander Gates
Oktoberfest at Salt at Our Kaka‘ako
Saturday, Sept. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 5 to 9 p.m.
Free entry, pay as you go
Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room’s popular multiweek event features stein-hoisting competitions and German beers from classic breweries such as Ayinger, Spaten and Paulaner. German food specials will be available for purchase by Butcher & Bird (sadly, this may be their last event before closing). Also featuring live entertainment by Mike Lewis & Friends and the Honolulu Brass Quintet & The Matterhorns.
Kailua Fall Festival
Saturday, Sept. 27, 4 to 10 p.m.
Admission: General $20, VIP $70, 21+ only
Kailua’s annual block party and trolley crawl is back, and entry to the street festival is free for the whole family, including pets. If you’re drinking, you can upgrade to a wristband that grants access to four bars, including Kailua Town Pub and Maui Brewing Kailua, with a trolley shuttling you between venues. VIP tickets include guaranteed seating and discounts at some venues. See website for parking, transportation and entry details.
Oktoberfest 2025 at Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks
Saturday, Sept. 27, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Early entry $25, late entry $30, race $30
Another one open to Military/DOD ID holders and their guests, this family-friendly event includes traditional German beer, food and music by the 25th Infantry Division Band—plus a Keiki Root Beer Festival, Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest Competition, keg competitions and bounce houses. The evening kicks off with a Wurst 5K Fun Run with pretzels, brats and chocolate cake to eat along the way.
Photo: Alexander Gates
Aloha Beer Co. Oktoberfest 2025
Friday, Oct. 3, 5 to 10 p.m.
Aloha Beer in Kaka‘ako always throws the best parties, and Oktoberfest is one of the most fun. This will be on a Friday night and feature the classic Aloha Fest Bier in giant commemorative steins with $10 refills, food and a dirndl and lederhosen contest.
Also keep an eye out for local breweries releasing Oktoberfest beers this year, including Landbier Before Time Dunkel from Kalihi Beer. Prost!
Alexander B. Gates, a BJCP Certified Beer Judge and Cicerone Certified Beer Server, is a regular contributor to Frolic Hawai‘i. @alohastatebeer
