Amana Oktoberfest 2026: Schedule, Parade and Visitor Tips

Polka music, brats and steins return to Amana October 1–4, 2026, for the 61st Amana Colonies Oktoberfest.

The Festhalle Barn serves as the center of the four-day celebration, with live music throughout the weekend and the official keg tapping on Friday. Saturday brings the Oktoberfest parade, traditional games and some of the largest crowds of the weekend.

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Amana Oktoberfest 2026 details

Dates: Thursday, October 1 through Sunday, October 4, 2026
Official festival grounds: Festhalle Barn, 4707 220th Trail, Amana
Single-day admission: $15 for Thursday, Friday or Saturday
Weekend pass: $30
Sunday admission: Free
Saturday parade: 10 a.m. on Main Street in Amana

Tickets will be available at the entrance each day and do not need to be purchased in advance. Tickets are not sold at the Amana Colonies Visitors Center.

Check the official Amana Colonies Oktoberfest page before leaving home. The shuttle plan and complete festival brochure will be released closer to the event.

Music and events at the Festhalle Barn

The Festhalle Barn is where you will find the official entertainment, food and drinks. Gates open at 3 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Performers bring German music and traditions to the Festhalle stage.

Thursday, October 1

3:30–6 p.m.: Johnny Wagner Band
6:30–8 p.m.: Amana Colony Folksingers
8:30–11 p.m.: Johnny Wagner Band

Friday, October 2

11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.: Barefoot Becky & The Ivanhoe Dutchmen
2 p.m.: Official Keg Tapping Ceremony
3:30–5 p.m.: Malek’s Fishermen Band
5:30–7 p.m.: Die Tiefen Keller Kinder
7–8:30 p.m.: Amana Colony Folksingers
8:30 p.m.: Yodeling Contest
9–11 p.m.: Alpensterne

Saturday, October 3

10 a.m.: Parade
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.: Bavarian Musikmeisters
3–5:30 p.m.: Alpensterne
4:30 p.m.: Brat Eating Contest
6–8 p.m.: Bavarian Musikmeisters
8:30–11 p.m.: Alpensterne

Sunday, October 4

11–11:45 a.m.: Collegium Tubum, also known as Iowa Tubas
Noon–2 p.m.: Bavarian Musikmeisters
2:30–4 p.m.: Alpensterne

The Oktoberfest parade

The parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday on Main Street in Amana. The 2026 theme is “Harvest Moon,” and the parade will take place rain or shine.

Arrive early if you want a good view. Saturday is the busiest day of Oktoberfest, and parking near downtown becomes harder to find as the parade approaches.

Oktoberfest games at the Market Barn

After the parade, the action moves to the Market Barn at 707 46th Avenue.

Keg tossing, log sawing and Nagelhauen run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. All three are free to enter, and spectators are welcome. Nagelhauen challenges competitors to drive a nail into a wooden beam.

The Eisenmann competition begins at 4 p.m. and costs $30 per team. Over at the Festhalle, the brat-eating contest starts at 4:30 p.m. and costs $20 per participant.

Oktoberfest beyond the Festhalle

The celebration is not confined to the official grounds. Amana restaurants, breweries, wineries and shops often schedule their own music, food and activities during Oktoberfest.

Music and traditional clothing are found throughout Amana during Oktoberfest weekend.

Allow time to walk through town, but expect crowds and longer waits at popular restaurants on Friday evening and Saturday. If there is one place you especially want to visit, check its Oktoberfest hours and event schedule before the weekend.

Before you go

Saturday draws the largest crowds, especially around the 10 a.m. parade.
The parade and games are outdoors, so dress for the forecast.
Shuttle stops and hours have not yet been announced.
Lodging in and around Amana can fill well ahead of Oktoberfest weekend.
Families with younger children may prefer the Saturday parade, afternoon games or Sunday’s shorter schedule.

You can cover the parade, games and part of the Festhalle schedule during a Saturday day trip. Staying overnight gives you more time for the evening music and the shops, restaurants and historic sites around the Amana Colonies.