Are you living outside Germany and already getting a ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) seeing Oktoberfest preparations? If you wish to be a part of Oktoberfest 2025 in Munich but can’t attend it in Germany this year, there are many places around the world where you can get a similar experience. While these places are certainly not the ‘OG’ or original Oktoberfest, they offer a similar and equally fun experience to visitors, most importantly, making the essence of this grand festival accessible to many more people in that part of the world. So, relax and keep reading about Oktoberfest celebrations beyond Munich.
If you’re in the U.S. and Munich is too far to visit, Cincinnati is the best place to experience Oktoberfest celebrations. The Oktoberfest in Cincinnati is one of the largest outside of Munich and is the biggest in the U.S. It has a rich legacy supported by numerous breweries, bakeries, and beer festivals, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Every September, Cincinnati transforms into a beer-filled wonderland, with its streets lined with beer tents, food stalls, music stages, and a vibrant atmosphere throughout the city. Interestingly, the Oktoberfest festival in Cincinnati once set a record for the world’s largest chicken dance! With this in mind, it’s clear that the people of Cincinnati have a fantastic time during Oktoberfest, making it a must-visit festival in the U.S.
When: September 18 to September 21, 2025
Where: Sawyer Point, Yeatman's Cove (both in Cincinnati)
From the West it’s time to travel to the East to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. While Japan has a rich history of its own alcoholic beverages, the Japanese love beer a little too much to not have an Oktoberfest celebration. And the one in Yokohoma is especially noteworthy. Yokohama Oktoberfest first began in the 2000s at the historic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and stands as one of the most anticipated cultural events in this prefecture.
Each year, expect a buzzing crowd of beer enthusiasts from all over the world hopping to the fest to get a taste of a 100 unique Bavaria and Japanese brews. Along with it, you have special orchestra performances, beer garden seatings, as well a first-time collaboration with Yokohama Beer (a brewery in Yokohama) to produce specially designed beer mugs for the festival. So hurry up and book your tickets to the Yokohama Oktoberfest if you’re from Japan or willing to attend the festival in Japan!
When: September 26 to October 13, 2025
Where: Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Yokohama
The Brazilian people are known for some of the most liveliest carnivals in the world. And this lively spirit also transcends into the Oktoberfest they host. When you mix that carnival spirit with German heritage, you get Santa Catarina’s Oktoberfest – the largest such celebration in South America!
The city of Blumenau in Santa Catarina is the heart of the Oktoberfest and it has a pretty interesting origin story. It is said that the festival was started after a devastating flood in 1983, in order to reinvigorate the spirit of thousands of misplaced survivors. And cut to 2025, the event has transformed into being one of the world’s largest Oktoberfests. Highlights of the fest include lively parades, dancers dancing in traditional Bavarian costumes, and loads of bratwurst and schnitzel dishes. Along with these food items, you’ll find Brazilian churrasco, tropical fruits, and plenty of local flavors mixing with German classics.
When: October 8 to October 26
Where: Parque Villa Germanica, Blumenau
Crossing over to Europe, it’s no surprise that London has one of the liveliest Oktoberfest scenes outside Germany. After all, the Brits love their pints just as much as the Germans love their steins. Luckily, in London, there’s no one Oktoberfest celebration that holds the city together – almost every corner and neighborhood has its own celebration!
London Oktoberfest events usually begin in late September and go on till the end of October, depending on the venue or neighborhood. And with numerous celebrations, there is sheer variety in the kind of events you’ll see. Some are exact replicas of the German Oktoberfest while some are more modern, hip, and party-heavy.
In London, we recommend attending Oktoberfest 2025 celebrations at the Munich Cricket Club, Clapham Common, German Gymnasium, Albert’s Schloss, and Big Penny Social.
For our last stop on the best Oktoberfest celebrations beyond Munich, let’s head to Madrid. This vibrant city in Spain is known for its sangria, tapas, and plenty of historic sites, but the Oktoberfest in Madrid remains another one of the city’s cherished attractions. At the Madrid Oktoberfest, you’ll find a delightful blend of German traditions and Spanish culture – be it in the delicious foods or quality brews.
While there’s been no official annoucement of the traditional Madrid Oktoberfest that is organized at the WiZink Center each year, there is another Oktoberfest that will be held in the city in 2025. The Oktoberfest Vallekana 2025 will be held in Madrid for 10 days, from September 11 to 21. It will offer attendees a chance to savor authentic German beer directly sourced from the Hofbräu München -the oldest brewery in the world! Apart from that, the Oktoberfest Vallekana 2025 will promise a plethora of music events and food stalls for you to enjoy Oktoberfest in Madrid.
When: September 11 to September 21, 2025
Where: Pistas del Parque Javier de Miguel, Madrid
From Cincinnati in the Midwest US to Madrid in Spain, Oktoberfest celebrations around the world each promise a different, local flavor infused with German traditions. The festival, essentially meant to celebrate beer, isn’t just about it. It’s about building and fostering community, celebrating, and enjoying the simple joy of raising a glass together. So go ahead – pick a city, book your tickets, and pack your bags. The world is ready to ‘Prost’ with you.
