Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake

If you are still looking for plans this weekend, look no further! Tempe Beach Park will be transformed into its own version of Germany October 7-9 during Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake. This three day outdoor festival will be full of live music, food and family fun that you will not want to miss.

 The celebration kicks off Friday evening with a spirited parade. The tapping of the first keg of beer follows, in true Oktoberfest fashion. From that point on, there is a steady program of music, food, and beer and one of the most popular events in Tempe.

Did I mention beer? Yes, they will have beer. Taste some of the 22 German beers available, along with other craft beers, in the Beers of the World Garden, or sample wines in the Wine Garden, featuring a variety of options from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. Don’t forget to taste amazing German cuisine like bratwurst and sauerkraut while you’re at it.

 Oktoberfest has plenty of activities for kids, too. There are carnival rides and an obstacle course, Hansel and Gretel Village and a strudel-eating contest. Kids can also fill up their own passport with stamps in order to receive a free treat. Similar to past years, there will be live music with 20 bands on multiple stages, the Frank Kush 5K early Saturday morning, and of course, more food and drink than you can shake a beer stein at.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without non-stop polka music. The polka stage will feature a different band every hour so you’ll have lots of chances to try out your best dance steps.

For over 38 years, Tempe Sister Cities has been hosting the annual Oktoberfest. Originally started as a way to honor our Bavarian Sister City of Regensburg, Germany, Oktoberfest now draws crowds of 200,000 people who enjoy this volunteer-produced event. Oktoberfest is held during the first or second week of October and has been the source of funding for almost 700 student exchange participants since the early 1970s.

Don’t miss the opportunity to spend the weekend outdoors with some good ol’ fashion food, fun, polka and beer.

Admission to Tempe Oktoberfest is FREE.
Friday October 7th: 5 p.m. to Midnight
Saturday October 8th: 10 a.m. to Midnight
Sunday October 9th: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Most everyone who’s been in Arizona for a while is aware of the great roster of Broadway shows that ASU Gammage presents annually.  But I also  look forward to their Beyond Series that brings us truly different, unique and always enormously satisfying performances.  The 2011-12 series opens this Friday, October 8 with the Arizona Premier of AnDa Union.  AnDa Union is musical group whose music draws from all the Mongol tribes that Genghis Khan unified. They combine different traditions and styles of music from all over Inner and Outer Mongolia.  Their performance will also feature an award-winning film of the artists in their homeland. I know I’ll enjoy this musical adventure and experiencing something of the culture of this vast and remote area.

There’s a lot more to look forward to in Tempe this week,  including theatre, opera, ballet, art exhibitions, comedy, live music and our very popular annual Octoberfest at Tempe Town Lake. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• October 5: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• October 5: Jeremy Lappitt with 4 Year Plan, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• October 6: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• October 6: Open Jam, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• October 6-9: Flip Orley, Tempe Improv
• October 7: Music in the Garden: Sonoran Jazz Project, Desert Botanical Garden
• October 7: Persuaders; October 8: Ratio, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• October 7: Tera Crisalida; October 8: Colton Avery, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• October 7:  Shawn Johnson & The Foundation; October 8: Capital Down,  Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• October 7-8: Desert Dance Theatre Presents Arizona Dance Festival 2011, Tempe Center for the Arts
• October 7-8: Stray Cat Theatre Presents: The Sparrow, Tempe Performing Arts Center
• October 7-8:  Love Crazy with Ritch Shydner in the Wonderama Theatre, Tempe Improv
• October 7-9: ASU Lyric Opera Presents You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
• October 7-9: Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake , Tempe Town Lake
• October 7-9: ASU Lyric Opera Presents You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
• October 7-23: ASU School of Theatre & Film Presents Zoot Suit, Lyceum Theater
• October 8: AnDa Union – Arizona Premiere, ASU Gammage
• October 8: New Found Glory, Marquee Theatre
• October 8-16: Childsplay Presents: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Tempe Center for the Arts
• October 9: Music on the Patio with Shelby James , Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• October 9: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• October 9:Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House