Helen Oktoberfest: Your Ultimate Guide to Beer, Brats, Bands, and Lederhosen (2024)

Can't make it to Munich, Germany, but would love to experience a traditional Oktoberfest? We've got the place for you!

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With a history dating back to 1969, the Bavarian town of Alpine Helen-White County, about an hour and a half north of Atlanta, will celebrate the 54th anniversary of Oktoberfest in 2024. Helen’s biggest celebration and the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States will begin on September 5 and run through October 27, 2024.

Beer, brats, bands and Lederhosen - the Helen Oktoberfest has them all. Helen, Georgia, is known for lots of things -- but the annual Oktoberfest festival has got to be on the top of the list!

COOLEST PLACES TO STAY IN HELEN GA

• Best For Adults: Valhalla Resort is one of the top-rated hotels in the area, accommodating couples in a romantic setting just atop the hill not too far from Hardman Farm. You'll find a pool and restaurant on site.

• Best Location In Town: Black Forest Bed and Breakfast is right in the middle of Downtown, sitting on Main Street. Since it's up on the hill, though, covered in trees you will not hear the hustle and bustle below. Breakfast is always included.

• Best For Families In Town: One of the newest hotels in the area, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Helen is a great family option. It's right off Main Street and comes with multiple room configuration options.

HELEN OKTOBERFEST DATES

In 2024, Helen's Oktoberfest will run from Thursday, September 5 to Sunday, October 27, 2024. It’s the longest-running of its kind in the United States and the Helen Chamber of Commerce’s biggest party of the year.

Starting at 6 p.m. on September 5, the doors of the riverside Helen Festhalle will open, welcoming visitors for German bands, music and dancing and authentic German food and beverages in an atmosphere like no other.

At Noon on Saturday, September 7, the Oktoberfest Parade kicks off with a colorful swirl of costumed marchers and bands pumping out German traditional music on drums, Alphorns, cowbells, accordions and more. The first keg-tapping of the festival will take place afterward at the Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Street.

Read More: Helen GA: 37+ Best Things To Do for Alpine Fun

HELEN OKTOBERFEST HOURS AND ADMISSION

September 5 – 22: Thursdays-Sundays
September 26 – October 27: Every day

Monday-Thursday: 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday: 6 p.m. to Midnight
Saturday: 1 p.m. to Midnight
Sunday: 1 to 7 p.m.

$10 on weekdays, $12 on Fridays and Saturdays, a Friday/Saturday pass is $20, and FREE on Sundays. Children ages 6-12 are half price, and children under 6 are FREE. Active and retired military get in FREE with a valid military ID.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT HELEN OKTOBERFEST

Thousands of people descend on the Bavarian-style town of Helen, GA, every year to take part in their annual Oktoberfest celebrations. You'll find plenty of food and drink -- including traditional German foods -- along with beer, live music, and plenty of good times.

HELEN FESTHALLE

Every year the Helen Festhalle houses the event. German-style bands from around the country and around the world play on the stage for your listening and viewing pleasure. See the Alphorns blown, the cowbells rung and the accordion squeezed. Get your chicken dance ready!

This event is kid-friendly, and kids even have their own dance floor!

The Festhalle is set up with rows of long tables so you can eat and drink while watching the show. Enjoy a good German beer with a Brat on a roll.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Check the schedule for additional events. For instance, those age 21 and over can participate in Helen’s traveling Oktoberfest keg-tapping ceremony on Saturdays that rotates to various biergartens, restaurants and taverns.

In this German tradition an officiant says a few words, the crowd chants and then imbibes from the freshly tapped keg. Listen for these two phrases: O’zapft is! (It’s tapped!) and “Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa!” (One, two, three...drink!).

OKTOBERFEST PARADE

In addition to the main festivities, one of the best parts of Oktoberfest in Helen is their annual parade!

This year's Oktoberfest parade will be held on Saturday, September 7 beginning at Noon, with a colorful swirl of costumed marchers and bands pumping out German traditional music on bass drums, Alphorns, cowbells, accordions, and more.

WHAT TO EAT

At Oktoberfest, you'll find plenty of authentic German foods, including brats covered in sauerkraut and so much more!

Pop-up events throughout the town add plenty of fun, while shops and dining establishments create their own festival ambiance. In the Festhalle, sample the beers and the best of the wurst (six kinds), German potato salad, red cabbage, potato cakes, American dogs, and more.

Enjoy fine German cuisine, wine and brews all over town, but give local wine equal time! Take a break for serene vineyard and mountain views at several award-winning Helen-White County wineries.

The town of Helen is filled with amazing restaurants! Seriously, you cannot go wrong with any of them, but if you want to stick with German food -- make sure to stop by Hofer's Bakery and Cafe! It's a German bakery, our favorite lunch spot, and delicious!

OKTOBERFEST PRO TIPS

Oktoberfest is a popular event in Helen, which means the crowds can get really big. We've got a couple of pro tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Tip #1: Helen has a road less traveled through town. Edelweiss Strasse runs virtually parallel to South Main Street, from the Budgetel Inn and Suites at the south end to the public parking at Chattahoochee Strasse on the north end.

Tip #2: Visit during the week to enjoy fewer crowds. Early risers find more leisurely morning breakfasts and shopping before the party crowd gets started.

Tip #3: Book accommodations well in advance. (We've got some hotel options for you at the top of this article, and some cabin options below.)

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