Tulsa Oktoberfest 2024 Tickets, Parking, Food, Beer

Before the decade was over, the Munich city fathers decided to turn the celebration into an annual festival with parades, carnival stalls, horse races and other attractions. However, it would be another 70 years before vendors began selling bratwursts to festival-goers, and it wasn't until 1892 that beer was served in the glass mugs that are now a hallmark of every modern Oktoberfest.

Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa, to use the local event's new official name, may not have as long and extensive a history as its Munich counterpart. But this fall Tulsa tradition, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year Oct. 17-20 at River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave., has become one of the best festivals in its relatively short existence Type developed in America.

Earlier this year, Tulsa Oktoberfest received the seal of approval from USA Today readers, who named it the No. 1 Oktoberfest in the country.

“We are thrilled to demonstrate our recent ranking as the No. 1 Oktoberfest in America at this year’s Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa,” said Mike Dodson, CEO of Oktoberfest Tulsa, adding, “This celebration has become a cornerstone of our community and has become a tradition” every fall for thousands of families and individuals.

“We look forward to sharing all of the exciting and authentic festivities that Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa offers its guests and visitors, just like in Munich, Germany,” said Dodson.

This year's festival is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors from the Tulsa area and throughout the region to experience one of the most authentic Bavarian cultural events in the United States, featuring local, national and international entertainers as well as classic German and European artists, food, rides, entertainment and activities for adults and children, an arts and crafts market, Germany-themed games, activities and competitions, 11 entertainment stages and more than 100 types of beer from local and national breweries.

Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa takes place Thursdays and Sundays, Oct. 17-20, at River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave. instead of. A special fundraising event, the “Gemutlichkeit” Corporate Night, will take place on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct 16

Festival hours are Thursday, October 17, 4-11 p.m.; 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Friday – Saturday, 18 – 19. Oct.; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 20th.

General admission tickets for Oktoberfest 2024 are $15 and must be purchased in advance online. Children under 12 are admitted free and no tickets are required for the Zeeco Family Friendly Free Day, which takes place on Friday October 18th from 11am to 4pm.

Various ticket packages are also available, ranging from those with souvenir beer mugs to those with VIP treatment with special seating, meals and other perks. All tickets can be purchased at tulsaoktoberfest.org.

There are no parking spaces available on the festival site, which is why festival visitors should use the shuttle service Fast rideor “quick ride.” The shuttle service begins 30 minutes before opening hours each day and continues until everyone has left the festival site.

The shuttle operates from several parking lots throughout the city, including:

• Tulsa Community College Metro Campus, 12th Street between Cincinnati and Boston Avenue
• Blue Dome District, Third Street and Elgin
• DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Tulsa Hotel, 616 W. Seventh St.
• Hyatt Regency Downtown, 100 E. Second St.
• Seventh Street and Boulder parking lots (formerly 17West Hotel Stop)
• Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, John Hope Franklin Boulevard and Greenwood Avenue (NOTE: This location has a dedicated handicapped parking space)
• WeStreet Ice Center at Promenade Mall, South Garage, 43rd Street and Yale Avenue
• Marriott Southern Hills, 1902 E. 71st St. (NOTE: This location has a dedicated handicapped parking space)

You can also ride bikes to the festival and drop them off at the Spoke House Bike Corral. A dedicated drop-off and pick-up location is available for those who wish to use rideshare services.

Nearly 40 music acts, including two bands from Germany – AlpenFetzer, who play everything from traditional German folk music to versions of US hits like “Achy Breaky Heart,” and Dorfrocker, a trio of brothers whose music tops the German pop charts – will perform in the four large festival tents as part of this year’s Oktoberfest.

At the popular glockenspiel, dancers, musicians and comedians perform in front of the life-sized Bavarian cuckoo clock every hour on the hour. Giveaways and promotional items will also be thrown to viewers during the show. The Youth tent on the children's square, or Kid's Zone offer daily entertainment and activities to keep little ones entertained.

Rides for all ages will be available throughout the festival, and day-long ride wristbands can be ordered online for $30 per day. Bracelets are only suitable for Friday and Sunday.

Each day of Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa has its own special events, including:

• Friends and Family Evening, Thursday, October 17, 5-11 p.m., with traditional opening events such as the Brewers' Parade, ceremonial first keg tapping and fireworks over the Arkansas River.
• Lederhosen Run 5K race, 7:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, at Oktoberfest/FC Tulsa Games Arena. All finishers will receive a commemorative 16-ounce KleinKrug and voucher to fill out, entry to Oktoberfest on race day, and a finisher medal and t-shirt.
• Oktoberfest games and activities all Saturday at the FC Tulsa Games Arena, including the Bavarian Cup (Bavarian Cup) Team Challenge, Beer Barrel Races, MassKrug Relays and Stein Hoist Competition.
• Dachshund Dash, Sunday, October 20, 2:00 p.m., with dozens of low-slung, highly enthusiastic, if directional, racers, most of whom will also attend the pre-race Dachshund costume party at 1:00 p.m. Dogs must be registered in advance to participate.

Whether your tastes lean toward fine dining or street food, Oktoberfest in Tulsa offers all sorts of culinary options, from authentic Bavarian fare to simple carnival fare—pretzels and pizza, brats and burgers, sauerkraut and sundaes, funnel cakes and frankfurters Sausages.

Dining options on offer include:

• The BierGarden Himmeldeck overlooking the main stage offers a three-course meal paired with signature German beers and Riesling dessert wine prepared by award-winning chef Josh Vitt. Seating is Thursday, October 17, 6:30 p.m. and Friday to Saturday, October 18-19. October, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required and the cost is $70 for adults and $45 for children.
• Breakfast at Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 20th at 11 a.m. will feature a German breakfast buffet with sweet and savory dishes as well as live entertainment from Das ist Lustig and Mach Schnell. Reservations are required. Cost is $60 for adults, $35 for children.
• The Wurst, a local sausage company, will have two locations on site and will serve locally made sausages with condiments like their signature curry ketchup.
• Ludger's Black Forest Café offers Wiener Schnitzel sandwiches and plated meals, bratwurst burgers, smoked sausages and a selection of German sweets.
• German Specialty Foods will offer its Buffalo Jalapeño Cheddar and German fried potatoes, as well as original sausages made from meats such as veal and pork.

For a complete list of food vendors, visit tulsaoktoberfest.org/food

Seriously – do you have to ask?

Oktoberfest has always been, among other things, a celebration of the brewing craft, and Tulsa Oktoberfest 2024 continues that tradition, offering more than 100 brands of local, domestic and international beers from more than 300 taps throughout the festival grounds.

To allow guests to enjoy these beers in bulk, Tulsa Oktoberfest offers two sizes of its commemorative beer mugs: the half-liter KleinKrugs and the full-liter MassKrugs. Each is available for $5 and costs an additional $10 or $20 to fill with your choice of beer.

The Markthaus Arts and Crafters tent will feature more than 100 artists and craftspeople offering authentic German items from clothing to classic ceramic beer mugs, as well as original artwork, personal care items, pet treats and toys, novelties, food and more.

All purchases made on the festival site, including food and drinks, must be made by credit card. Cash is not accepted at Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa.

Further information: tulsaoktoberfest.org.