Oktoberfest at SteelStacks 2026

ArtsQuest‘s Oktoberfest, presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), returns to SteelStacks in Bethlehem for its 16th year. The festival runs two weekends, Oct. 2–4 and Oct. 9–11, 2026. Free to attend.

Hours

• Fridays: 5–10 p.m.
• Saturdays: noon–10 p.m.
• Sundays: noon–6 p.m.

What to Expect

Four biergartens pour beers from Hofbräu, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head, Yuengling and more, with polka and oompah bands and Schuhplattler dance performances throughout the weekend. Food vendors serve German sausages and hand-rolled pretzels alongside barbecue, sliders and ice cream, and local artisans sell crafts and specialty foods. Bring your Musikfest mug or buy an official Oktoberfest mug.

• Wiener Dog Races: Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 and 3 p.m., plus 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Registration required for racers.
• Pup Parade: Saturdays and Sundays. Free to enter; sign up at the Oktoberfest Arena starting at noon on parade day.
• Karaoke: Fridays, 8–10 p.m.
• Dragtoberfest: Saturdays, 8:30–10 p.m. Free, 18 and older. Seating fills quickly.
• Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championships: Saturday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m. 21 and older.
• Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition: Sunday, Oct. 11, 5 p.m. Contestants 18 and older.

Ticketed and Registration Events

• Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K: Sunday, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. Pre-registration required.
• Yuengling Oktoberfest Beer Dinner: Saturday, Oct. 3, 5 p.m. 21 and older.
• Oktoberfest Bourbon Tasting: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m. 21 and older.
• Fliplehem Flip Cup Tournament: Fridays, Oct. 2 and 9. Teams of four, 21 and older.
• Hot Glass Experience: daily time slots. Ages 6 and up.

Full schedule, tickets and parking information are on the ArtsQuest Oktoberfest page.