Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest on O‘ahu

Two of the biggest parties at SALT at Kaka‘ako and Aloha Stadium, and where to find seasonal local brews for Oktoberfest 2022.

September 15, 2022

Tracy Chan,

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Oompah! It’s the time of year when the brews flow, polka dancing comes back in style, and German lederhosen and dirndls (that skirt, bodice and apron outfit) can be found, even here in Hawai‘i.

Oktoberfest officially runs from Saturday, Sept. 17 to Monday, Oct. 3 this year. Two major Oktoberfest parties are happening in Honolulu, though they may not be the only ones. The first is this Saturday at Salt in Our Kaka‘ako, centered around Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room. The second is a big to-do at Aloha Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, run by Free Spirits Hawai‘i.

Here’s the breakdown of both events:

Oktoberfest 2022 at Salt Kaka‘ako

The free-admission Oktoberfest festivities in Kaka‘ako’s SALT complex include special Oktoberfest sausages and warm pretzels by Butcher & Bird, live German music by the always-fun Ompah Trio, giveaways, and a stein-hoisting competition sponsored by Samuel Adams. Wander the Beer Hall in The Barn to taste some authentic German festival beers, or head inside Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room to take advantage of beer stations featuring nine German Oktoberfest beers:

Spaten Oktoberfestbier
Hofbräu Oktoberfest
Paulaner Festbier
Schonramer Gold Fest
Weihenstephaner Festbier
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen
Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest Oak-Aged Lager
Samuel Adams Octoberfest
Golden Road Oktoberfest Bier

Admission is free. Must be 21 or older to drink.

675 Auahi St., Sept. 17 from 3 to 9 p.m., villagebeerhawaii.com/events/2022/9/17/oktoberfest-2022-at-salt

Oktoberfest Hawai‘i at Aloha Stadium

More than 15 German style beers will be on tap, including exclusive brews from Honolulu Beerworks, at this event by bar-centric catering company Free Spirits Hawai‘i. You can also check out local food vendors, grab a custom beer stein, dance the polka to live music, play oversize outdoor games and more. Buy tickets in three 3-hour windows between 12:15 and 9 p.m., and enter during your assigned window (but you can stay after the designated time). Tickets come in several tiers and include a 5-ounce tasting mug and a variable number of drink tickets.

99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., Sept. 24 from 12 to 9 p.m., oktoberfesthawaii.com, @oktoberfesthawaii

Kailua Fall Festival

Back in person for the first time since 2019, this community event takes over Ho‘olai Street with live music, yard games and digital games with prizes, 60-plus vendors and four local bars: the Pub Kailua, Kalapawai Market, The Boardroom, and Maile’s Stage Bar. Buy a 22-ounce stein to purchase what are being billed as Oktoberfest beers at any of these bars. Go to Kailua Fall Festival’s Facebook page

kailuaevents.com, @eventskailua