‘Zing boom tararrel’ here come the Oktoberfests

Experience Oktoberfest “Munich style” in picturesque downtown Clayton when the popular event returns Oct. 5-6.

Set under beautiful Mount Diablo, this festival evokes a feeling of being transported to festive Bavaria.

The ceremonial tapping of the keg will take place at noon on Saturday, Oct. 5, after it is paraded down Main Street with the Internationals oompah band in tow. Then visitors can enjoy German beer and food, plus dancing to live music in an authentic Munich biergarten. Even the wooden tables and benches were imported from Germany. You won’t want to miss the party under the big tent.

Take a stroll down Main Street, lined with arts and craft vendors selling everything from hot sauces to jewelry to Oktoberfest gear. With more than 50 vendors, there’s a little something for everyone as this year’s festival.

Kids of all ages will delight in a full-size carnival, with amusement rides, game booths and street performers. A special, carnival-only preview takes place 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.

Like the Clayton Art & Wine Festival and Clayton BBQ Cook Off, this event is presented by the Clayton Community and Business Association (CBCA). In 2018, the CBCA donated more than $162,000 to community programs – with more than 51 percent going toward education and scholarships.

The festival will run 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, go to ClaytonOktoberfest.com.

Click here for our Photo Gallery of past years’ Oktoberfest celebrations in Clayton.

Oktoberfest back for 2nd year in Concord at Todos Santos Plaza Oct. 11-12

Todos Santos Plaza will turn into a mini-Munich again on Oct. 11-12 when downtown Concord hosts an authentic German Oktoberfest with beer tent, live music, singing and dancing, strongman contests, food truck fare, arts and crafts booths, kid’s area and more at Concord Oktoberfest 2019.

The beer tent will be the meeting point for craft brew fans with German-style lagers from 20 breweries near and far. Adjacent to the large tent on the Todos Santos stage, the popular SF German Band (aka Deutscher MusikVerein of San Francisco) is back to bring their heritage of playing German music in the Bay Area since 1938.

The free, family-friendly community event includes food, beer and wine and rides available for purchase.

Presented by The Brewing Network, Visit Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Concord Oktoberfest is Friday, Oct. 11, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 12, from 2-8 p.m.

To enter the beer area visitors must be 21 and over. Beer garden tickets are available for advance purchase at Concord Oktoberfest.com. The $25 fee includes a commemorative glass and two half-liter pours. Additional drink tickets will be available for purchase.

Proceeds from the event benefit Bike Concord. There is free parking available at two Concord garages on either side of Todos Santos off Salvio St. and throughout downtown Concord or take BART to the Concord station and walk four blocks to the event.

For more information, please visit ConcordOktoberfest.com.