Fans of food, beer, music, dancing, games and other fun are all but guaranteed to fall in love with Oktoberfest.
The German tradition won over Americans a long time ago and these days the U.S. is home to countless Oktoberfest celebrations that almost mirror the original in Munich.
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With fall right around the corner, Oktoberfest first-timers and seasoned veterans alike will want to start crafting plans to attend one of these renowned Bavarian festivals.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
When: Sept. 15-17
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati draws hundreds of thousands of revelers to Cincinnati, Ohio each year and will once again transform the city in 2017.
Visitors to the three-day celebration can take part in the World's Largest Chicken Dance and the Running of the Wieners while diving into a variety of delicious German food and drink. Plus, traditional Bavarian entertainment will be featured across multiple stages.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is also home to Glier's World Brat Eating Championship and the Sam Adams Stein Hoisting Championship.
New Ulm Oktoberfest
When: Oct. 6-7, 13-14
Minnesota's New Ulm Oktoberfest enhances its glowing reputation year after year.
The annual fall festival is held all across town during the first two weekends in October. Participants include Schell's Brewery, which has been around forever and specializes in German-style beer.
Whether booking the Oktoberfest package at the Best Western Plus New Ulm or taking in the sights and sounds downtown, this autumn tradition is certainly worthy of your travel bucket list.
What's more, TravelPulse's own editorial staff can vouch for the event, as both Executive Editor Michael Schottey and Managing Editor Joel Cordes once called New Ulm home. Pro Tip: Make sure you're able to stick around long enough to enjoy the work of the Concord Singers-a singing group that dates back to 1931 who will mentally transport you directly to the native German celebrations.
Oktoberfest by the Bay
When: Sept. 22-24
Oktoberfest by the Bay brings the best of Munich to San Francisco.
The party on Pier 48 never stops and rarely slows down. The 21-piece Chico Bavarian Band will provide traditional German music throughout and Bavarian dancers entertain festival-goers every few hours.
It doesn't matter if you attend Friday's grand opening, either of Saturday's two sessions or Sunday's German Day celebration because you'll only need a few moments to be hooked.
Addison Oktoberfest
When: Sept. 14-17
Texas' Addison Oktoberfest is celebrating its 30th anniversary this September and you won't want to miss it.
Considered one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S., this year's four-day event will feature Germany-based band the Munich Evergreens, as well as Grammy award-winning polka artist Alex Meixner (who you may remember from the Hormel Pepperoni ads).
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Other highlights outside of Dallas will include dachshund races, bier barrel bowling, a yodeling contest and a German spelling bee.
International Oktoberfest
When: Oct. 7
The annual International Oktoberfest in Providence, Rhode Island packs tons of Bavarian tradition into just a single day.
Taking place at Bold Point Park on the East Providence waterfront, this year's event will feature overflowing Biergartens as well as German brats, sausages and pretzels. Visitors can also compete in a stein hoisting competition or opt for the less traditional German favorites in flip cup or beer pong.
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The SPITZE! band-a German-American Oktoberfest show band that's been featured at festivals all across the country-will provide the live soundtrack.
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