Munich canceled its world-famous Oktoberfest celebration back in April, but in Southern California a few places are willing to keep the party going with beer and brats.
Those venues will be required to have social distancing, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. State COVID-19 guidelines also ask businesses to “consider limiting excessive consumption of alcohol.”
Two German eateries are in Orange County, which on Tuesday got the go-ahead from the state of California to allow indoor dining at reduced capacity.
Most Oktoberfest celebrations, however, have been called off due to the pandemic.
Here’s what’s happening and what isn’t around Southern California.
Scheduled events
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Where: Convention Center of Big Bear Lake, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake
Details: One of Southern California’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebrations will mark its 50th anniversary at this year’s festival. Its website isn’t currently providing details, but says there will be a safe outdoor celebration with limited attendance but with table service and live entertainment.
The event website has posted dates for weekends in September, beginning Friday, Sept. 11. But with the threat of wildfires in mountain communities, fire and law enforcement officials are asking visitors to avoid Big Bear Lake for several days, according to an email sent Thursday, Sept. 10, from the city’s travel and tourism website, bigbear.com.
Prices vary by date, starting at $40 per person for seating reservations on Friday and going to $85 on Saturday.
Information: 909-585-3000, bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest
Old World Village Oktoberfest
Where: Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach
Details: This venue, which includes a restaurant and European market, will be serving German food and beer on a 10,000 square foot patio Wednesday through Sunday, beginning Sept.18, according to the venue’s website.
Information: 714-895-8020, oldworld.ws
Oktoberfest at the Phoenix Club
When: Weekends, Oct. 1-25
Where: 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim
Details: This German dance hall is still working out its plans for Oktoberfest, but is open Wednesday through Sunday for German food and beer.
Information: 714-563-4166, thephoenixclub.com
Canceled events
Alpine Village: Oktoberfest had lost its home in this Bavarian shopping center in Torrance when the pandemic hit. Its restaurant, losing money, was already closing. The shopping center is still open, including a market and bakery that sell German sausages, beer pastries. But the property hadn’t announced any Oktoberfest events at press time. alpinevillagecenter.com
Lake Arrowhead Village Oktoberfest: Last year it ran mid-September through October. This year it’s seeking donations to help bands and entertainers who lost work to the pandemic. lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com
King Ludwig’s Oktoberfest: This would have been the 31st year for this Beaumont/Cherry Valley event. bcvparks.com/oktoberfest.html
Long Beach Oktoberfest: The Long Beach event will be rescheduled, according to its website. tasteofbrews.com/oktoberfest.html
Montrose Oktoberfest: This one-day street party took place on Honolulu Avenue last year. oktoberfest.montrosechamber.org
Oktoberfest at Fairplex: It was scheduled to run three weekends in October at the Los Angeles County fairgrounds in Pomona. fairplex.com/events/oktoberfest
Redlands Oktoberfest: The one-day event usually takes place in Sylvan Park in October. redlandsoktoberfest.com