Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Melbourne

Yarra Valley Oktoberfest returns for its fifth year, with beer lovers congregating at the Lilydale Showgrounds for the frothy tradition. Don your dirndl and lederhosen on Saturday, October 28, for the German beer spectacular, where you can enjoy beers imported straight from Munich, German wine, schnapps and even a non-alcoholic cocktail cart to ensure no one is left out of the festivities. Plus, there'll be plenty of food to soak up the booze, including pretzels, bratwurst, roast chicken and pork knuckle. Providing entertainment on the day will be a classic oompah ensemble, quirky competitions and sideshows, roving performers and a DJ to round out the night. Find out more at the website.

Celebrate Oktoberfest in magical medieval surrounds at the wondrous Kryal Castle in Ballarat, as it hosts the ultimate Bavarian extravaganza on October 21. Expect flowing beer (of course), plus loads of live music from artists like Australian rapper 360, DJ Joel Fletcher, Inspired Unemployed regular guests Big Twisty and the Funknasty, and heaps more. There'll be traditional German folk music and an oompah band too, to give the traditional experience. You can book a ticket online here. 

BeerMash is serving up a traditional Oktoberfest celebration — think a no-frills afternoon filled with good beer, salty snacks, clinking glasses with strangers and perhaps a touch of tabletop dancing. If you're keen to get amongst it, head to the Collingwood bar from September 28 to October 5. The taps will be gushing with a whole lot of German and German-inspired beers, plus imports from traditional brewers like Schneider Weisse, Weltenburger, Schlenkerla and Weihenstephaner, alongside some of the best local offerings. Find out more on the website. 

Hofbräuhaus Melbourne, the city’s much-loved slice of Bavaria, is holding a very special Oktoberfest celebration coinciding with its 55th birthday. The German bier house, nestled in the heart of Chinatown, is commemorating the momentous occasion with a spectacular suite of performances, specials, competitions and all-round Bavarian shenanigans until October 28. Find out more on the website. 

Of course, the German-themed joint the Bavarian is holding a celebration of all things Oktoberfest. Until October 7, visit the pub at Knox Westfield or Highpoint Shopping Centre to enjoy massive platters of traditional food, games, dancing and, most importantly, huge steins of German beer. Expect froffs from local and European brewers — and if you can't decide which to drink, try a bunch with a beer paddle. Find out more at the website here. 

The beloved brewery is hosting an Oktoberfest party at its huge Preston venue across the first weekend of October. The usually beach-themed bar will transform into a traditional German beer hall for three days from October 6-8, with food specials and kegs to fill your steins from Bavarian brewery Weihanstephan. Come in traditional German garb to win a best-dressed prize or try your luck in a pretzel-eating contest. There will also be a roving oompah band and DJs pumping out Euro-esque tunes. The OG Moon Dog bar will also be holding an Oktoberfest event over same the weekend. Find out more on the Moon Dog website. 

This Brunswick craft beer brewery and bar will take on the form of a German beer hall on Saturday, October 7. There'll be a plethora of pretzels and Polish pierogies, plus small-batch brews of traditional German beers to drink. You can BYO stein and get a schooner price pour, or purchase a Foreigner stein mug (which can get you discounts at the bar) to get your fill of beer. Find out more on the event page here.