Raise your steins, Triangle—Oktoberfest 2025 is here! Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and surrounding towns are gearing up for a festive fall filled with Bavarian traditions, craft beer, live music, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re after authentic German food, polka dancing, or just a good excuse to enjoy local brews, there are plenty of Oktoberfest celebrations across the Triangle to keep your calendar full.

Raleigh Oktoberfest Highlights

Raleigh hosts some of the region’s most popular Oktoberfest gatherings. Local breweries like Ponysaurus Brewing Co. keep the party alive with steins of seasonal beer, pretzels, and bratwurst. The Raleigh Wide Open Kickoff Celebration also channels the festive spirit downtown, bringing together food vendors, live performances, and fall-themed fun.

Durham & Chapel Hill Festivities

Durham brings Oktoberfest to life with community events and brewery celebrations, while Chapel Hill’s Sculpture in the Garden series at the NC Botanical Garden adds a cultural twist, combining art and seasonal festivities. You’ll also find plenty of beer-themed events at breweries and taprooms across the area.

Cary, Apex, & Beyond

Cary continues its tradition of blending small-town charm with big Oktoberfest energy through fall music series and brewery celebrations. Neighboring towns like Apex, Garner, and Pittsboro also host smaller but equally spirited Oktoberfest-inspired gatherings, perfect for a more local experience.

Events

Oktoberfest celebrations kick off on Thursday, October 2, 2025, with free festivities at Ponysaurus Brewing Co. in Raleigh, continuing on Friday, October 3 at the same spot. Friday evening also features the Triangle Oktoberfest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary (5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.), where entry is free if you bring a wiener dog, or tickets range from $0–$33.73. The fun continues on Saturday, October 4 with another day of Oktoberfest at Ponysaurus, plus the Triangle Oktoberfest at Booth Amphitheatre (12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.), and Bottle Theory’s 5th Annual Oktoberfest in Apex (12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.). On Sunday, October 5, head to The Plant in Pittsboro for Oktoberfest (12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.), or celebrate at Gizmo Brew Works in Raleigh (12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.). The following weekend keeps the party going with Smithfield Oktoberfest in Historic Downtown Smithfield (Saturday, October 11, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and Apex Oktoberfest at Apex Town Hall (12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.).

What to Expect in 2025

Expect stein-hoisting contests, lederhosen, craft beer releases, and authentic bites like schnitzel and sausages. Many events are family-friendly, offering kids’ activities, pumpkin painting, and live entertainment alongside the beer gardens. With the Triangle’s thriving brewery scene, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Oktoberfest seasons yet.

Follow DoRaleigh.com and mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready to toast “Prost!” at Oktoberfest celebrations across the Triangle this fall.