Drinking beer at Oktoberfest in Munich is on our ultimate travel bucket list, but until we get the chance to visit Germany, we’re celebrating Helen-style! From the first time we saw photos of Oktoberfest in Helen, we knew we had to check it out. And fortunately it’s the longest running Oktoberfest celebration in the U.S. so we had plenty of time to get there.
We visited on a day trip with our friend, Kelly, and had such a great time. We’ll definitely be back again!
What to See & Do at Oktoberfest in Helen:
There are two ways to take part in Oktoberfest in Helen: the official event at the Helen Festhalle and the party in the area’s downtown. The celebration at the Festhalle is open to all ages and includes German-style bands from around the U.S.
We had planned to start the day at the Festhalle but arrived in Helen before the official celebration started at 1 pm. It wasn’t open so we snapped some fun photos outside the hall.
While we waited for the official Festhalle to open, we headed over to the party in downtown… and ended up hanging out there most of the day!
The tent party was a fun atmosphere with lots of German beer choices and Oktoberfest must-have munchies. The only disappointment was the music: we heard a lot of country, but nothing German!
After sharing a big beer, we headed around the corner to the Heidelberg pub where we finally got to enjoy some live music from a rock polka band. More beer and more fun! I also adore the Heidelberg’s cute blue and white building.
If you need a beer break (I said if), wander through town and check out the shops. As always, we had to find a Christmas ornament for our travel tree. We also enjoyed the cool trinkets in the The Glassblowing Shop and checking out the live demonstration (though not nearly as large scale as the glassblowing demo we saw in Jamestown, Virginia).
Another fun thing we stumbled upon in Helen: a roller coaster! The ride costs $16 per person. We debated riding but it had started to rain so we decided against it. Would love to hear how it is though!
Want a fun photo opp? Stop by the Alpine Wedding Chapel and share some vows. Note: If you actually want to get married, you’ll need an appointment.
Oktoberfest in Helen: What You Need to Know
Oktoberfest in Helen begins in September and runs through October. The celebration at the Festhalle costs $8.00 Monday through Friday and $10.00 on Saturday. Sundays are free (but likely most crowded)! A parade kicks off the beginning of the Oktoberfest season. Get more information on the official Helen Festhalle event on the Helen Chamber of Commerce website.
We found parking lots nearby the Festhalle for just $5 per car.
Need more Southeast U.S. inspiration?
Check out these other articles that may help you plan your trip within the Southeast U.S.:
- Exploring the Small Towns Near Asheville
- Weekend Getaways in the Southeast U.S.
- Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
- 75 Things to Do in Florida
- Exploring South Carolina’s Chau Ram Park
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