Raise your steins, because our neck of the woods now wears the crown for America’s top Oktoberfests. From Minnesota’s hearty celebrations to Wisconsin’s beer-soaked traditions, these two festivals have just been named the very best in the nation.
Minnesota is known for our 10,000 Lakes, but we’re also no slouch when it comes to celebrating Oktoberfest. And seeing as a celebration about beer seems much more at home behind the Cheddar Curtain over in Wisconsin, it’s no surprise America’s Dairyland does Oktoberfest right as well.
Minnesota and Wisconsin Oktoberfests Ranked Among Best in the U.S.
And while we’ve always known that living here in the upper Midwest, now the rest of the country is starting to catch on to our top-notch Oktoberfest celebrations, as well, seeing as two huge Oktoberfests– one here in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin– were just ranked as two of the 10 best in the entire country.
SEE ALSO: This MN Apple Orchard Also Made People’s 10 Best List in 2025
Minnesota and Wisconsin became a natural home for Oktoberfest celebrations thanks to the large number of German immigrants who settled in both states in the mid-1800s. History.com reports that the first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese, and they threw quite the beer-infused party to celebrate.
And carrying on their German heritage, those celebrations soon popped up here as well, and today, this German festival is recreated in cities across the United States each fall– especially here in Minnesota and Wisconsin, History.com said.
New Ulm Oktoberfest Named One of America’s Top Fall Festivals
According to People’s 10 Best Oktoberfest 2025 list, two familiar festivals in each state just made their prestigious list this year: So, hoist a stein for both of these well-known fall celebrations. Ranked at #7 on People’s 10 Best Oktoberfest 2025 list, was Minnesota’s Oktoberfest in New Ulm.
Visit New Ulm notes this massive festival is the largest in the state, with live music, a market, polka dancing, and plenty of German fare. People described it like this:
New Ulm Oktoberfest takes place during the first two weekends in October. Celebrations are hosted all across town, including at the iconic Schell’s Brewery, which specializes in Minnesota’s Grain Belt beer.
Wisconsin’s La Crosse Oktoberfest USA Earns National Recognition
You’ll find Wisconsin’s entry on People’s 10 Best Oktoberfest 2025 list one spot ahead of Minnesota’s: The Oktoberfest USA celebration in La Crosse comes in at #6.
According to the Oktoberfest USA website, the event features several parades, the tapping of the golden keg, plus plenty of German food, live music, and more. Here’s what People said:
Established in 1961 and billed as “the longest-running Oktoberfest in the Midwest,” Oktoberfest USA (nicknamed Das Beste) offers fun for everyone.
So, whether you’re staying in Minnesota or heading over to Wisconsin, there’s a great way to take part in this annual fall festival! And speaking of great things to do in the fall in Minnesota, keep scrolling to check out 10 of the best corn mazes to get lost in this autumn as well!