Clear your calendar. Find your lederhosen. We’re doing this!

Oktoberfest is coming to Lost Worlds Brewing, and this year, the expedition has two stops. We’re bringing the beer (Oktoberfest and Festbier, plus all your other favorites), the polka, the steins, the lederhosen, the dirndls, and just enough Bavarian energy to make September feel a whole lot more German.

And before you ask: yes, Oktoberfest really does happen in September.

In fact, Munich’s official Oktoberfest runs from September 19 through October 4 in 2026. The festival began in 1810 as a wedding celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Their celebration featured a horse race outside Munich, and the meadow where it took place was named Theresienwiese after the bride. Today, locals call it the Wiesn.

Oktoberfest has always been a reason to get people together and celebrate, so we’re just carrying on the tradition, but with more beer! 🎉

🍻 First Stop: Charlotte

Friday, September 18, 2026 • 5–9 p.m.
Lost Worlds Brewing at The Met • 1100 Metropolitan Ave., Charlotte
Free admission • Free Parking • Family- and Dog-Friendly

We’re kicking off Oktoberfest weekend in Charlotte on Friday, September 18, with an evening of beer, food, music, and Bavarian fun. The Appalachian Freunde Polka Band will be bringing the live polka, so consider this your official warning to stretch before attempting any dance moves. Raise a stein, listen to some polka, and generally embrace the fact that you are now spending a Friday night dressed as you wandered into Bavaria.

Lederhosen and dirndls are highly encouraged.

🍻 Second Stop: Cornelius

Saturday, September 26, 2026 • 12–10 p.m.
Lost Worlds Brewing in Cornelius • 19700-D One Norman Blvd., Cornelius
Free admission • Free Parking • Family- and Dog-Friendly

One Oktoberfest wasn't enough, obviously.

We’re bringing the celebration home to Cornelius for a full day of Oktoberfest fun on Saturday, September 26, featuring the OOPS Polka Band, plenty of festive beer and food, a stein-holding contest, and our Oktoberfest Market from 12–5 p.m. Come early, wander through the market, grab a beer and pretzel, listen to some polka, and stick around for the festivities. And yes, there will be a stein-holding contest.

So if you’ve been looking for a reason to start training your arm now, this is your sign. 💪🍻

🥨 What Exactly Is Oktoberfest?

Despite the name, Oktoberfest isn't really an October-only situation. The Munich celebration was originally held in October, but over the years, the festival start date moved earlier into September to take advantage of better weather and longer days. The tradition stuck, and today, September is very much Oktoberfest season.

While the original Oktoberfest looked a little different from the modern festival we see today (there weren't exactly beer tents and giant amusement rides everywhere in 1810), the basic idea remains surprisingly familiar in the sense that they both bring people together, celebrate, eat, drink, listen to music, and have a really good time. Honestly? We can get behind that.

🧭 Choose Your Lost Worlds Oktoberfest Expedition

Whether you're exploring the Charlotte event on September 18, or making a full adventure of it in Cornelius on September 26, there's really no wrong answer. Charlotte is your evening adventure, and Cornelius is your full-day expedition, but if we're being honest, you could always attend both. 😉

Just remember these items to note in your Oktoberfest explorer journal:
• Bring your family and friends.
• Wear your favorite dirndl and lederhosen.
• Practice your stein-holding before the events.
• Show off your best polka moves.

See you at Oktoberfest. Prost! 🍻