Your Guide to Lake George's Two Oktoberfest Celebrations This Fall
Fall in Lake George means colorful foliage, cooler nights, and not one but two distinct Oktoberfest celebrations just over a week apart! The 15th Annual Lake George Village Oktoberfest kicks off the season October 9-11, followed by the 20th Annual Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party on October 17. Both events have grown into fall traditions in their own right — the Village festival has expanded from a 15-vendor weekend into a three-day celebration with close to 100 vendors, while the Charity Block Party has grown from six breweries and about 150 guests into a gathering of nearly 25 craft beverage producers and crowds approaching 1,000, raising close to $150,000 for local charities along the way.
They're different events with different vibes - but both are can't-miss, major fall festivals in Lake George. Here's a rundown of each event, so you can dive into how they compare, including costs, vendors, kid-friendliness, and what to expect.
At a Glance: How the 2 Events Compare
Lake George Village Oktoberfest
- Dates: October 9-11, 2026
- Location: Canada Street, across from Shepard Park
- Cost: Free entry
- Age: All ages, family-friendly
- Vibe: Bavarian street fair
- Attendance: An estimated 8,000-10,000 people over the weekend
- Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome
Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party
- Date: October 17, 2026
- Location: Adirondack Pub & Brewery, 33 Canada Street
- Cost: $55 in advance, $60 day of
- Age: 21+
- Vibe: Ticketed charity block party benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks
- Attendance: Close to 1,000 guests
- Dogs: Not permitted
15th Annual Lake George Village Oktoberfest
- Dates: Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2026 (Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Weekend)
- Hours: Friday 12pm-10pm | Saturday 12pm-10pm | Sunday 12pm-5pm
- Location: Canada Street, across from Shepard Park
- Cost: Free entry
Now in its 15th year, the Lake George Village Oktoberfest has grown from a Saturday-Sunday event with about 15 vendors into a full three-day Bavarian-style celebration. New this year, the festival kicks off with a full Friday for the first time, running 12pm-10pm. Expect close to 100 vendors, five live music acts, classic German dancers, and a crowd of an estimated 8,000-10,000 people over the course of the weekend.
New for 2026: the festival is using the Village's new stage and sound system in Shepard Park, so German music will be piped throughout the park and the German dancers will have a dedicated stage of their own.
Think nonstop polka music with traditional dancers, an Adirondack Brewery beer garden, local artisan vendors and crafts, carnival rides, traditional fare (bratwurst, knackwurst, weisswurst, potato pancakes), keg tossing and stein hoisting contests, crowd-favorite dancing chicken, and fall foliage as your backdrop. Costumes are encouraged for festival-goers who want to get into the Bavarian spirit!
Over the course of the weekend, festivalgoers typically work through roughly 1,200 pounds of German sausages and about 20 gallons of the beer garden's house-made beer mustard.
A note on payment: Food and beer inside the beer garden are cash only, and ATMs are available on site.
What's on the Beer Garden Menu
Food items include Giant Pretzel, Wiener Schnitzel With Sauerkraut and Mushroom Gravy, Smoked Giant Turkey Leg, German Potato Salad, Bavarian Sausage & Roll (bratwurst, knackwurst, or weisswurst), Bavarian Sausage Sampler (all three sausages with potato salad, sauerkraut, and potato pancakes), and warm desserts.
Drinks:
- Oktoberfest (6.2% ABV)
- Bobcat Pilsner (4.0% ABV)
- Lake George's IPA (6.8% ABV)
- Headwaters Hefeweizen (4.3% ABV)
- Lake George Cider Project (5.8% ABV)
- ADK Original Hard Lemonade (6.0% ABV)
- Select wines from Adirondack Winery
- Craft Bear Wizz Root Beer (non-alcoholic)
Once upon a time the Lake George Village Oktoberfest had about 15 vendors. Now, close to 100 vendors are expected with everything from woodcarvers to jewelry makers to hot cider donuts. In the past, we've seen vendors such as Adirondack Axe, Wittenberg Carvers, Pretty Peaks Bakery, Apple Blossom Farms, Wax 'n' Wix Candle Making, Polish Korner Inc., and many more.
20th Annual Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Hours: 12pm-5pm
- Location: Adirondack Pub & Brewery, 33 Canada Street
- Cost: $55 in advance, $60 day of, $15 designated driver tickets
- Ages: 21+ only (valid driver's license, military ID, or passport required)
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party - and what began as a gathering of just 6 breweries and about 150 people has grown into one of the region's largest craft beverage celebrations, now drawing close to 25 different breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies and crowds nearing 1,000 guests. It's grown into so much more than your average beer festival.
Over the past two decades, the event has raised close to $150,000 for a rotating list of local and regional causes, including the Saratoga Red Cross, Wait House, the Lions Club and Campabilities, the Ben Osborne Memorial Fund, Habitat for Humanity of Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties, Double H Ranch, North Country Ministry, and the ADK Mountain Club, among others.
This year, the event is deepening its commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks as a permanent charity partner, making the Block Party one of BBBS's largest fundraising events of the year. Last year's event alone raised over $16,000 for the organization, which matches adult mentors with children ages 5-18+ across Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties — there's currently a waitlist of over 200 kids hoping for a match.
What Your Ticket Includes:
- Entry to the Charity Block Party
- One complimentary Oktoberfest-branded 5 oz. sampler stein
- One complimentary $15 food voucher (also included with Designated Driver tickets)
- Unlimited sampling of Adirondack Brewery beer and cider, NYS guest brewery beer, and local wine and cider
- Entry into games and contests throughout the day, with prizes for winners
- Free parking in the High Peaks Distilling lot at 1 Canada Street
The Costume Contest
Dressing up is highly encouraged. Head to the band's stage in the main tent at 3 pm to enter, with separate Men's and Women's categories and prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Adirondack Brewery closes down for this event, and the majority of the staff dresses up in authentic German attire to set the vibe! Feel free to dress up along with the Oktoberfest theme, or any Halloween costume is perfect.
A Note on Rules
Please note there are no coolers or lawn chairs (there's plenty of sampling included!), no pets, 21+ only (valid ID required for entry), and refunds are available up to 7 days before the event.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2 Lake George Oktoberfests
What's the difference between the two Oktoberfests?
The Lake George Village Oktoberfest (October 9-11) is a free, all-ages street fair with vendors, live music, and a beer garden. The Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party (October 17) is a ticketed, 21+ event that supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, with unlimited beer, cider, and wine sampling included in the ticket price. They're separate events, and both are worth attending!
What's the cost for each event?
The Lake George Village Oktoberfest is free to enter. The Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party requires a paid ticket ($55 advance / $60 day-of), since it's a fundraiser with sampling included.
Are children allowed at either event?
Children are welcome at the Lake George Village Oktoberfest, which is designed to be family-friendly with crafts, games, and carnival rides for kids. The Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party is a 21+ event only, valid ID is required to enter.
Are dogs allowed?
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at the Lake George Village Oktoberfest. Pets are not permitted at the Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party.
Do I need cash, or is it cashless?
The Lake George Village Oktoberfest's food and beer vendors are cash only, though ATMs will be available on site. The Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party is ticketed in advance, with sampling included in the ticket price.
Where do I park for the Oktoberfests?
Free parking for both events is available in the Biscotti Brothers/High Peaks Distilling lot at 1 Canada Street, with additional street parking available on the side streets surrounding Canada Street during the Village Oktoberfest.
Are the events accessible for those with mobility issues?
Yes, both are accessible.
Can I do both events?
Yes, and it's encouraged, although if you're coming with the whole fam (kids included) you'll want the Lake George Village Oktoberfest, as the Adirondack Brewery event is a 21+ festival. With the events a week apart, it's easy to attend both!
Plan Your Oktoberfest Season
Mark your calendars now for October 9-11 and October 17 for the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Lake George region!
The Lake George Village Oktoberfest kicks off Friday, October 9th at 12pm with free entry. And you can buy your tickets now for the Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party, which starts Saturday, October 17 at 12pm.
