📅 Saturday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
🕓 1:30-7 p.m.
📍 The Quarterdeck: 22307 Dock Ave S #1, Des Moines
💰 Free
At Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest, beer shares the spotlight with family-friendly Bavarian fun. Sure, there are plenty of opportunities for the grown-ups to raise a glass, but you’ll also find games, crafts and face painting to keep the little ones entertained.
Kids and adults alike can enjoy two full days of German-inspired music, dancing and entertainment on the waterfront — complete with all the tuba, accordion and lederhosen you’d expect from Oktoberfest.
Grab a pretzel or a bratwurst from the Longhorn Chuck Wagon food truck and bounce to the sounds of the Ted Luna Polka Band, the Bonnie Birch Bavarian Band and Bean’s Beer & Brat Polka Band. You’re welcome to bring a low chair or blanket if you’d like to sit, but tuba rhythms can be pretty hard to resist. Really embrace the spirit of the event and you may even find yourself competing in the chicken dance contest.
Adults looking to kick the weekend off early can join the OktoberCrawl on Friday, Sept. 18. This 21+ ticketed event (starting at $58) takes the Oktoberfest celebration into downtown Des Moines with a walking tour through four Marina District restaurants serving curated German-inspired beer and bites. Oktoberfest attire is highly encouraged, with prizes for the best costumes. Prost indeed.
