Everything You Need to Know for Amana Oktoberfest 2024

Iowa's oldest Oktoberfest celebration is coming up this weekend! Amana Oktoberfest will take place Friday, October 4th through Sunday, October 6th.

When it comes to Oktoberfest celebrations, the Amana Colonies have one of the best. The weekend is filled with German food, live polka music, a big parade, and, of course, plenty of beer. Here's a rundown of everything you should know ahead of the 2024 event:

Where do I park?

There is parking all throughout the Amana Colonies, but it is limited. It's important to note that parking is NOT allowed on Hwy 151 or 220th Trail. Attendees are encouraged to park at the Amana RV Park and take the free shuttle, courtesy of Amana Colonies Festivals and Express Midwest. The website says that the "shuttle will pick up passengers outside the gates on the south side of the Amana RV Park, where ample free parking is available." The shuttle runs Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Shuttle stops in the Amana Colonies are located directly across the street from the Ox Yoke Inn, in front of the Market Barn, in front of the Festhalle Barn, and next to the Amana Furniture & Clock Shop. You can check out a map below:

Does it cost money to get into Oktoberfest?

If you're planning to head to the Festhalle Barn, yes. A one-day pass is $15 and a two-day pass is $20. Admission is free on Sunday.

You can purchase your tickets in advance HERE.

So what's happening at the Festhalle Barn?

Directly outside of the Festhalle Barn is a giant tent where beer and food are available for purchase. Inside of the barn there's a full schedule of live entertainment:

• FRIDAY
  • Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen - 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Alpensterne - 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Amana Colony Folk Singers - 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Die Tieffen Keller Kinder - 9 p.m. to midnight
• SATURDAY
  • Bavarian Musikmeisters - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • UNI Dancers - 2 p.m.
  • Alpensterne - 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Bavarian Musikmeisters - 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Alpensterne - 9 p.m. to midnight
• SUNDAY
  • Collegium Tubum (UI Tubas) - 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  • Bavarian Musikmeisters - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

And don't miss the Yodeling Contest on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and the annual Brat Eating Contest on Saturday at 5 p.m. ($20 to enter)!

Does Oktoberfest have a kick-off event?

It sure does! On Thursday, October 4th at 11 a.m., the Official Keg Tapping Pre-Party & Parade will begin in the Museum Courtyard. Ticketholders will receive a complimentary beer from the first keg, a free brat, and admission to the Festhalle Barn. There will also be beer from Millstream Brewing Co. available for purchase. The parade to the Festhalle will begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets for this event are $20 and cannot be purchased in advance. They will be available the day of the event at the Amana Heritage Museum beginning at 11 a.m.

What else is there to do at Oktoberfest?

So much!

Let's start with the Oktoberfest Parade! It starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and travels through the village of Amana. This year's theme is “Famous Frauen.”

For games and activities, check out the Market Barn on Saturday:

• Keg Toss Competition - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Log Sawing Competition - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Nagelhauen - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Eisenmann Competition - 4 p.m.

If you're looking for more live music, Millstream Brewing Co. and Hotel Millwright will both be hosting big parties on their lawns with food, drinks, and free live entertainment:

• Millstream Brewing Co.
  • FRIDAY
    • Food Trucks
      • Comfort Food 154
      • Aroma Artisan Pizza
      • County Line BBQ
    • Live Music
      • Polkameisters - 10:30 a.m.
      • Fat Back Boys - 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Swampland Jewels - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • SATURDAY
    • Food Trucks
      • Millstream Brau Haus
      • Beast & Bird
      • Moys Food from the Streets
      • Opal & Hazel’s Woodfired Pizza
    • Live Music
      • Teck & Reno - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
      • Barry Boyce Party Polka Band - 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
      • AIRWAVES - 5 p.m.
  • SUNDAY
    • Millstream Brau Haus Food Truck
    • Live Music
      • DTKK Band - 11 a.m.
      • Exit 185 - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Hotel Millwright
  • FRIDAY
    • Alabaster-N-Harmony - 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • The Remains - 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    • New Trick - 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • SATURDAY
    • Ben Schmidt Band - 12 p.m. to 4p.m .
    • Dogs on Skis - 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    • ViceBox - 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

There is plenty for kids to do at Oktoberfest, too! Be sure to stop out for Kinderplatz at the Amana Colonies Visitors Center on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for balloon art, games, crafts, and more!

Other businesses in the Amana Colonies that will have specials and activities throughout the weekend include Ox Yoke Inn, Ackerman Winery, Bumble Books, the Amana Woolen Mill, Price Creek Event Center, Ronneburg Restaurant, and more. For a full schedule, check out the official Oktoberfest brochure HERE.

Looking for more October events in Eastern Iowa? Click HERE!