2025 Peoria Oktoberfest

Peoria Oktoberfest 2025 is back and bigger than ever, bringing together the heart of Central Illinois for a unique celebration of German culture right on the scenic Peoria Riverfront. If you’re looking for traditional German music and dancing, genuine German food and beer, plus unique activities that you and your family can participate in, Peoria Oktoberfest 2025 will deliver.  The event is hosted by the Peoria German American Society and the Peoria Park District.

Peoria Oktoberfest 2025 Event Details: Everything You Need to Know

Peoria Oktoberfest 2025 runs September 19–21, 2025, transforming the Peoria Riverfront into the center of German food, music, and entertainment in Central Illinois.

Admission is:

• Friday only: $10
• Saturday only: $10
• Sunday only: $7
• Weekend Pass: $18
• Children 12 & under: free admission

Hours are:

• Friday, Sept 19: 5 – 11 pm
•  Saturday, Sept 20: Noon – 11 pm
•  Sunday, Sept 21: 11 am – 5 pm

Buy your tickets in advance online

Have questions or need more information? Check out the official event site at oktoberfestpeoria.com This is a family-friendly event with activities suitable for all ages.

What You’ll Experience at Peoria Oktoberfest 2025: Full Fest Details

From the opening ceremonies on Friday, you’ll find everything German right here on Peoria’s Riverfront.   We recommend that you start with the Heritage Tent where you’ll find genealogy searches with the Peoria County Genealogical Society, video presentations, German language lessons for all ages, plus a reading library. You can also get more information about Friends of Friedrichshafen, Peoria’s Sister City.

Kids will find lots of fun things to do at the Kinderplatz (German for Children’s Place).  And on Sunday, there will be two community church services:  one Catholic and one Presbyterian beginning at 10:30 am.

You’ll find delicious food from vendors including Sportverein Peoria, Harmonie Concordia, Jane’s Sweet Addiction, Heritage Meat Pies, St. Abbey Bakery, Balco and Pierogi Rig.  There will also be merchandise vendors including Damenchor Germania, Novelty Trade and Alpaca Creations.  Plus, the Homebrewers Of Peoria, a homebrewing club promoting the art and science of brewing, will also be on hand.

This year’s event will feature live entertainment from the following organizations: the Bolzen Bier Band (party punk polka), Heidelberg German Band (music in the tradition of the German Bier Hall), Brasshaufen, (German & Czech music), Die Spitzbuam (contemporary & traditional folk music from Germany & other European regions), the Springfield International Folk Dancers (folk dancing from various world cultures), the Schwarzwald Vagabunden (a high energy mix of tradtional Oktoberfest-style brass, regional Volksmusic and modern show tunes) and Eddie Korosa (polkas, big band, rock and roll and country music).

Unique Activities the Family Will Love

Competitors in the Log Sawing Competition will race against the clock to saw through a log as fast as possible. No experience is necessary and training is provided.  Make sure to cheer on your favorite.

Also known as the Nail Game, Nagelbalken, or der Nagelspiel, this game is played by tapping nails into a log and then taking turns swinging a hammer at them. The goal is to drive the nail flush with the wood, and the last player to do so loses.

The Steinholding Contest (Masskrugstemmen in German) is a traditional Bavarian strength competition where competitors hold a full one-liter beer Stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm, parallel to the ground. Whoever holds for the longest with good form is the winner.

The Peoria Oktoberfest 3rd Annual Doxie Derby (Dachshund Races) is sure to entertain on Saturday.  There will be a wiener dog costume contest too and prizes awarded to the winners of the race.

And the human race, Der Bier Lauf, includes a 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Walk, & 0.0K (in other words, you can register to participate but don’t have to if you don’t want to).  Registration includes 2 Drink Tokens, Sunday Entry to Oktoberfest and a Race Packet.

History of the Oktoberfest Celebration

The first Oktoberfest was held in the year 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12 and ended on October 17th with a horse race. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated and, later, the festival was prolonged and moved forward into September to allow for better weather conditions. Because the September nights were warmer, the visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over “die Wiesen” or the fields much longer without feeling chilly. Historically, the last Oktoberfest weekend was in October and this tradition continues into present times.

You’ll save some money by purchasing your tickets to Peoria Oktoberfest 2025 in advance at https://www.etix.com

Looking for Peoria area event information?  Visit our Events Calendar!