Prost! Oktoberfests Abound Across Tennessee

October unlocks the door to fall, Halloween decorations, and, of course, Oktoberfests.

The celebrations are, maybe, the most German thing most Tennesseans will do all year. Maybe that’s eating schnitzel or knackwurst, or breaking out the lederhosen, but Oktoberfests are definitely about drinking beers with friends.

Nashville’s Oktoberfest claims the title of longest-running in the Southeast. Started in 1980, the festival is now a four-day affair closing 10 city blocks of the historic Germantown neighborhood.

The festival has racked up some pretty hefty praise, too. Food & Wine called it America’s best Oktoberfest and Business Insider said it was the most authentic festival in America. Not too shabby.

It was last weekend. But don’t cry into your beer stein! Here are some other Oktoberfest celebrations to help you capture the German spirit of the season.

  Chattanooga

Credit: Chattanooga Oktoberfest

Chattanooga Oktoberfest runs this Saturday and Sunday at the Chattanooga Market.

Its biergarten promises to quench your thirst with an impressive lineup of local, regional, and international breweries represented. The Bauernhöfe und Kunstmarkt (Farms and Art Market) promises localprodiyce, artisan foods, and arts and crafts.

The schedule has plenty of live “oompah” music. There’s also stein hiding contests, a brat toss contest, and the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Chattanooga Oktoberfest.

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Crossville

Credit: Crossville Oktoberfest

Crossville Oktoberfest got its start way back in 1991.

It promises two full days of music, food, and beer. The festival is organized by the Knights of Columbus and take place on the KOC Grounds just outside of Downtown Crossville.

Those grounds had two temporary tents for the festival’s first year. It has slowly grown into several permanent buildings, space enough for the thousands of revelers who follow the tuba’s call to the Upper Cumberland.

Foodies will love the expansive menu. It includes pork and chicken schnitzel, knackwurst, bratwurst, weisswurst, späetzle, and much more. Beer loves can choose from more than a dozen brews.

For more information, click here.

Memphis

Crosstoberfest has become a signature event for Memphis’ Crosstown Brewing Co.

Beer is the star of this fun fall festival. Crosstoberfest is also the name of the event’s signature beer, brewed to German perfection. But the brewery will also have on other German-inspired lagers, too.   

But the festivities don’t stick to standard Oktoberfest fare. Yes, there’s a stein-holding contest. But there’s also a corn hole tournament. For music, the festival forgoes the oompah for the funky,  brass-band sound of the Lucky Seven Brass Band, and the jammy rock sounds of Devil Train.

For more information, click here.