Get ready for the fifth year of Oktoberfest Muskoka, back for October 23 to 26 with new events, returning favourites, and Bavarian spirit spread across Muskoka. Organized by the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce and grown with development funding from Experience Ontario, this regional celebration brings together local breweries, restaurants, Legions and retailers for four days of music, food, and community cheer.
“As part of Bracebridge’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Oktoberfest highlights the vibrancy of our fall season,” says Jaden Hollingshead, Executive Director of the Bracebridge Chamber. “The event not only extends the shoulder season but also pays tribute to the area’s German heritage tracing back to the 1800s with the hamlet of Germania.”
From a networking breakfast featuring powerhouse speakers on how events like these fuel our economy, the Traditional Tapping of The Keg, and brewery tours to Dragtoberfest: The Biggest Wurst Show Ever featuring two Drag houses, a Bracebridge 150 celebration with Weiss Blau at Santa’s Village and the Muskoka debut of The Golden Keys from Kitchener-Waterloo at the Bala Bay Inn, a Family FunFest in Bala with a vendors market, a Kidtoberfest zone including mobile curling, giant jenga, crafts and more, and specialty dishes at local restaurants, there’s something for everyone.
“Oktoberfest Muskoka brings together the best of our communities — local food, live music, and shared celebration,” adds Norah Fountain, Oktoberfest Project Lead and Executive Director of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber. “Our goal? To extend the high season even longer to support employers and our workforce by giving our seasonal residents a reason to keep their Muskoka homes open longer and drawing more visitors here to discover fall in Muskoka.”
More from Fountain on this year’s Oktoberfest kickoff:
This year’s events include special brews made only for Oktoberfest Muskoka, including a Kartofellbier called “Mashed Taters” from Sawdust City, Hefenweizen from Clear Lake Brewing, Wolfgang from Lake of Bays Brewing and FestBier from Muskoka Brewery. There’s live music and special events at these breweries as well as at select venues over the four days of the festival. Attendees can win prizes when they register and download a specially made Oktoberfest Muskoka app that includes a scavenger hunt like “FestQuest” to gamify the festival experience.
A huge Danke goes out to Experience Ontario, Engel & Volkers Muskoka, TD and Explorers’ Edge along with sponsors Lakeland Networks, Weismiller Timber Mart, Generation Fine Homes, Rosseau Lake College, Bala Cranberry Festival and Bala and Port Carling Garden Centres along with all the businesses taking part to make this 5th year really stand out.
NOW, CHECK OUT THIS OKTOBERFEST MUSKOKA LINEUP!
🍂 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23: Kicking It Off in Style
7:30–10AM – Damenfest Breakfast: A Women in Tourism Social Club Networking Event
Quality Inn, Bracebridge | Breakfast by Blake’s Memories of Muskoka
Featuring a powerhouse speaker panel: Tracy Van Kalsbeek (K-W Oktoberfest), Grace Sammut (former GM of Resorts Ontario), and Liz Beatty (Here and There, Canadian Geographic).
- 10–11AM – Official Tapping of the Keg (Free Event: All welcome to join)
Join Town Crier Bruce Kruger, Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney, Dan McCoy on accordion, and the breakfast crowd at the Quality Inn for the official kick-off. - 7-10PM DRAG-toberfest: The Biggest Wurst Show Ever at Sawdust City Gravenhurst, 7pm
Two drag crews, Oktoberfest flair, and plenty of fun for just $10.
🍻 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24: Bracebridge Turns 150 with Oktoberfest at Santa’s Village.
- 6-11PM: Bracebridge 150: Weiss Blau Party at Yule Lodge (Santa’s Village)
Hosted by Lake of Bays Brewing. Experience the Lager Loop with a Bracebridge route ending at Santa’s Village – only 2 seats left!
Live music from Weiss Blau, German-inspired food, and a traditional Festhall vibe and free shuttle courtesy of Driver’s Seat Muskoka and District.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25: Brewery Tours & Family Fun
- OktoberBaus Brewery Tours: Only two seats left for these popular tours from Muskoka Brewery and Bracebridge Barrelhouse to visit Sawdust City and Clear Lake Brewing with a secret stop and souvenir stein.
- 10AM-6PM: All-Day Free Family FunFEST – Bala
Bala Community Centre and Bala Legion
Live music from the Happy Wanderers, market vendors, crafts, custom made Muskoka Oktoberfest brats produced and cooked by Brackenrig Butcher, cornhole, mobile curling with tips from the Bala Curling Club pros and more. - Family Fun and Lawn Games – Bracebridge
At Bracebridge Hall with the HopHeads playing inside.
- 7PM: Feral Minks at Bracebridge Hall
•7PM THE GOLDEN KEYS Live at Bala Bay Inn - A Muskoka first! Experience the band that rocks Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest with Oktoberfest flair added to your favourite rock party anthems.
- 6PM: Deb Misener Jones Bavarian Revue at Port Carling Legion
A Bavarian Buffet Dinner and Revue (a milder Oktoberfest experience)