La Mesa Oktoberfest 2026: Beer, Dachshunds and 53 Years

The 53rd La Mesa Oktoberfest took over La Mesa Village from Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4, 2026, and it's a good example of how a small-town festival can still feel fresh after more than five decades. The main event is free and open to all ages, and the three biergartens charged $8 for entry. If you wanted a bit more comfort, VIP passes started at $15 for guests 21 and over and $10 for those under 21. The top adult package, at $49, came with two 16-ounce beers, a 53rd Anniversary commemorative stein, and a flower crown or alpine hat. According to the organizers, that $49 pass sold out for Saturday.

The beer side of things was spread across Hofbräuhaus Bier Garten, Hop Haus on Palm, and Craft Bier & Seltzer Garten. The festival opened with a ceremonial keg tapping at 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the Hofbräuhaus, and the crowd moved between the three spaces for the rest of the weekend. Each biergarten had its own rhythm, with live bands in the Hofbräuhaus and Craft Bier & Seltzer Garten, and DJs spinning at Hop Haus on Palm, where the Saturday night karaoke kicked off at 7:00 p.m.

The music ran almost nonstop across the village. The main stage opened Friday afternoon with a polka set led by accordionist Linda Herman, then moved through Motown covers from Detroit Underground and a Nirvana and Foo Fighters tribute from Alt2K before Cassie B closed out the night. Over at the Craft Bier & Seltzer Garten, the schedule was packed with rock and funk acts, a Carlos Santana tribute, a country set from Young Guns, and San Diego band Liquid Blue as the final act. Between the bands, the Polka Parties kept things moving, and the 15-minute breaks were filled with games like stein holding and bratwurst tossing at the Glücklich Games.

For dog lovers, Dackeldorf was the place to be. The dachshund village featured wiener dog races throughout each day, along with a canine fashion show on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., barking contests, and trick competitions. Organizers added a new planking competition with dachshunds, and according to Axios, the dog races and new family attractions were among the biggest draws this year. Entries for the races and contests were handled on the day of each event. Families with younger kids could spend time at Kinder Village, where visitors got free mini pumpkins from Oma's Family Farm, decorated pumpkins, made flower crowns, watched maypole dancing by Sparrow Academy, and built custom hats with Rad Hatter.