Entertainment
Bavarian Experience Stage
This stage offers unique and fun-filled experiences and contests to "bring out the Bavarian” in all of us! Learn how to Polka with German dance lessons, meet the brewmasters from Tupps, and listen to live music every evening. And what would an Oktoberfest be without a stein holding competition and a brat eating contest?
Carnival
Located on the west side of the festival grounds, adjacent to Mitchell Park, this exciting Midway features adventurous rides and games and is sure to bring out the kid in all of us!
Coupons are required and can be purchased throughout the festival grounds or at coupon stands adjacent to the carnival area.
The carnival is open during all hours of Oktoberfest.
Gemüetlichkeit (Goodwill) Games!
We’ve created the Gemüetlichkeit (goodwill) Games, Hosted by the Lions Club! It’s our fun-filled “competition area” on East Louisiana St., and the contests include Bier Stein Races (Root Beer/water only) on Friday the Weenie Dog Races on Saturday and Marionette Drinking Game (Root Beer only) on Sunday!
Friday Games
- 6 - 8 p.m. | Bier Stein Races (Root Beer/water only)
- 8 - 10 p.m. | Marionette Drinking Game (Root Beer/water only)
Saturday Games
- 11 a.m. | Weenie Dog Race Registration
- 12 - 2 p.m. | Weenie Dog Races
- 2 - 5 p.m. | Wannabe Races
- 6 - 8 p.m. | Bier Stein Races (Root Beer/water only)
- 8 - 10 p.m. | Marionette Drinking Game (Root Beer/water only)
Sunday Games
- 12 - 2 p.m. | Marionette Drinking Game (Root Beer/water only)
- 2 - 4 p.m. | Bier Stein Races (Root Beer/water only)
Presented by Sports Clips Haircuts
Hofbrau Stein-holding Competition
Think you can hold a Hofbrau beer? What if it weighs five pounds? Try your hand - and arm - at a game called Masskrugstemmen, or “beer stein holding.” Masskrugstemmen is not is not a drinking game. It’s a test of strength and endurance.
Music & Dance Schedule
It’s time to “break out the Bavarian” and get your Oom Pah Pah on as McKinney’s Oktoberfest proudly brings you authentic music and dancing that celebrates the German culture and lifestyle!
From a Grammy-winning polka band to Alpine dancing troupes to strolling accordion musicians, you’ll hear and see it all weekend long on our two main stages as well as throughout the festival grounds.
Find out when your favorites are playing and hear them all!
Learn more about our featured polka groups | Check out the full stage schedule
Parade
A long-standing tradition of Oktoberfests around the world, the opening parade marks the beginning of a weekend filled with food, drink and lots of fun!
Led by a high-energy drum line and featuring lots of Lederhosen and smiles, the parade starts Friday afternoon at 6 p.m. and winds through the festival grounds and ends at the keg-tapping ceremony.
Bring your friends and neighbors and help us kick off the weekend’s festivities…Prost!
Petting Zoo
McKinney’s Oktoberfest proudly features the Ponies & Pals Petting Zoo, a completely interactive petting zoo experience presented in a clean, healthy, safe environment that’s ideal for children as well as adults!
Patrons are able to move freely among the animals, and brushes are provided for children to “groom” the animals. The Ponies & Pals animal family consists of miniature farm animals including, goats, sheep, horses, mules, donkeys, pot belly pigs, cows, llamas, and alpacas.
- Admission is five coupons per child, and each child may have one adult accompany them free of charge.
- Admission for additional adults, or adults attending without children, is five coupons per person.
Other children’s activities include the Kinder Korner, a rock climbing wall, bounce houses, face painting and German crafts!
Note: The 2022 Crape Myrtle Run was canceled by its organizers. We hope to see the event return in 2023.
Visit the Crape Myrtle Trail Run website.