If you missed the big mid-September Oktoberfest weekend, La Crosse gives you a second chance — and a great one. Oktoberfest USA runs September 24–27, 2026, the weekend immediately after the major September 17–20 cluster, making it a natural follow-up for festival-hoppers or a standalone destination for anyone in the upper Midwest. It’s one of the largest Oktoberfests in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to this Mississippi River city in western Wisconsin every fall.
2026 Dates
September 24–27, 2026 — Thursday through Sunday. The festival spans four days, with the weekend days drawing the largest crowds.
Admission & Tickets
Sunday free admission starting at 11am. If you’re on a budget or just want to experience the festival without committing to a full ticketed day, Sunday morning is your window. For Thursday, Friday, and Saturday pricing — and any reserved seating or special events — check the official Oktoberfest USA site, as ticket structures are confirmed closer to the event.
What to Expect
La Crosse has been celebrating Oktoberfest for decades and the festival is woven into the community’s identity. Expect a grand parade, a royal family coronation, live German music across multiple stages, traditional food, and a lot of beer — local craft alongside the classic German imports.
La Crosse sits in the Coulee Region where the Mississippi River runs wide and bluffs rise steeply on both sides. The fall foliage by late September adds to the atmosphere. This is not a parking lot festival.
Getting There
- Minneapolis: approximately 3 hours southeast via I-90
- Chicago: approximately 3.5 hours northwest via I-90/I-94
- Milwaukee: approximately 4 hours west via I-94
- Madison: approximately 2 hours west via I-90
Tips
Use the Sunday free entry. The 11am free-admission window on Sunday is genuinely useful — full festival experience without the ticket cost, and Sunday crowds are more manageable than Saturday.
The later date is a feature. Most major US Oktoberfests cluster September 17–20. La Crosse runs September 24–27 in slightly cooler late-September weather. For an outdoor beer festival, that is better. If anything, late September in Wisconsin feels closer to how Oktoberfest in Munich actually runs.
The parade is worth catching. The Oktoberfest parade runs through downtown La Crosse and is one of the largest in the region. Check the schedule on the official site and stake out a spot early.
For a full picture of where La Crosse fits among the country’s best celebrations, see our guide to all major US Oktoberfest festivals.
Planning the Munich trip? See our Oktoberfest Beer Guide — the 6 breweries, Märzen vs Festbier, and what to order — and our Table Reservations Guide for how to secure your tent seat. Want to know which Munich tent is right for you? Read the Beer Tent Guide. Not sure when to go? Check the 2026 Dates & Schedule.