Hermann might be a small town, but it embraces Oktoberfest in a big way. With a full month of fun events planned, this annual tradition is an autumnal must-do. Come for the scenery and the schnitzel, stay for the biergarten and the polka performances.

Test your upper-body strength in the stein-hoisting competition.

In Munich, the traditional Oktoberfest celebration runs from late September until the first Sunday of October—usually a hair longer than two weeks. In Hermann, a town that’s held on to the traditions of its German founders for more than 180 years, the festivities last all month. What makes Hermann’s Oktoberfest so great?

“It’s really a celebration of fall for us,” says Tammy Bruckerhoff, Tourism and Economic Development Director with the City of Hermann. “The area is just so gorgeous this time of year. You couldn’t ask for better weather than what we have today, and hopefully it will continue.” 

And although Hermann is only 3 square miles in size, there’s a month’s worth of attractions and activities to take in.

“There’s great food all around town,” says Bruckerhoff. “The German food is a huge attraction for our visitors, everything from sausages and brats to schnitzels and pretzels.”

Hermann Wurst Haus and Swiss Meats and Sausage Co. are known for their expansive selections of traditional—and traditional with a twist—sausages and bratwursts. Tin Mill Restaurant, Vintage Restaurant at Stone Hill Winery, and Concert Hall & Barrel Tavern also are great places to grab a German bite.

The Hermann Trolley whisks visitors from site to site.

And then there’s the libations. Like Germany’s Rhineland region, Hermann is a wine-making powerhouse. There currently are 10 wineries in Hermann and the surrounding area. Here you’ll also find distilleries, craft breweries, and specialty bars and tasting rooms. 

Outside of these, there’s also the Jaycees Bier Garten at Sesquicentennial Park, open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every Saturday in October. Attendees can enjoy live music and nibbles from a variety of food vendors. If you’re feeling good about your upper-body strength, you can take part in the stein-hoisting contest, which challenges participants to hold a full mug of beer out in front of themselves for as long as possible. 

Many of the wineries also will host live entertainment. The Loehnig German Band—who have been delighting audiences with traditional polkas, waltzes, and schottisches since the late 1970s—is not one to miss. 

On October 12 and 13, the Brush and Palette Club will host an arts and crafts festival at Hermann Middle School. The event features more than 70 juried vendors selling handicrafts, fine art, and antiques. 

You can find a full calendar of Oktoberfest events here. Meanwhile, here are Bruckerhoff’s tips for getting the most out of your Oktoberfest experience.

  1. Oktoberfest is a great time to stock up on all your favorite German delicacies. “Definitely bring a cooler to take home sausages, bratwursts, whatever it might be,” Bruckerhoff says. 
  2. Remember the mercurial nature of Missouri weather. “We always say dress in layers. You never know what it’s going to be like from morning to evening,” Bruckerhoff says.
  3. Consider your transportation options. Downtown Hermann is easily walkable, or you can rent a Pedego electric bike to zip around town. For those destinations that are a bit more of a trek, consider the Hermann Trolley. Bruckerhoff says a wristband costs $25 per person per day, and you can get on and off as many times as you’d like. 

For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar. 

All photos courtesy of Visit Hermann.