SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 16, 2026: The third annual Oktoberfest at La Villita returns Sept. 25 to 27 for a free, family-friendly celebration at Maverick Plaza in La Villita Historic Arts Village. Set in a shaded plaza just steps from the River Walk, the festival will feature food, music, dance and traditions representing the German, Alsatian, Czech, Polish and other European communities that helped shape South Texas.
A Celebration of Cultures
“San Antonio’s culture reflects a remarkable confluence of traditions,” said Chef Johnny Hernandez, festival founder. “European immigrants added their customs to the Indigenous, Spanish and Mexican influences rooted here. We still hear those connections in polka and conjunto music and taste them in schnitzel and chicken-fried steak. Oktoberfest at La Villita celebrates those enduring connections.” Across three days, the celebration will fill Maverick Plaza with food, beer, music, dancing, costumes, vendors, educational experiences and fun activities for all ages.
Celebrated Chefs and Culinary Traditions
The Saturday Culinary Showcase features chefs Aaron Juvera of Southerleigh at Pearl, Denise Mazal of Little Gretel of Boerne, Johnny Hernandez of Grupo La Gloria Restaurants, Janie Romo of Ms. Chocolatier, Flor Vergara of La Gloria and Tortillería La Gloria, and Laurent Réa of Mon Chou Chou at Pearl. Oktoberfest-inspired dishes will be available for purchase at individual booths. Cooking demonstrations continue all weekend in the Kitchen Campus demonstration kitchen, concluding Sunday with a demo highlighting the connection between German schnitzel and Texas chicken-fried steak.
Musicians from the Czech Republic
Two large musical ensembles have been invited to San Antonio and will make the long journey from the Czech Republic to San Antonio for Oktoberfest. The first group, Vonička, will perform Czech folk music featuring the cimbalom, a traditional stringed instrument and other traditional instruments. Next, Vukuk, an ensemble of young middle school musicians, will join Vonička as honored guest performers. Both groups will appear in traditional Czech folk costumes.
Czech-born Chef Denise Mazal, whose generosity and enthusiasm have made her a beloved participant since the festival began, returns Friday and Saturday to teach kolache-making in the demonstration kitchen, where fresh kolaches will be sold. A Czech cultural booth will offer Mazal’s cookbook, complimentary gifts and information about the Czech Republic.
Polish Heritage
On Saturday, the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria will also be there to share the story of Panna Maria, Texas, the first Polish settlement in North America. Activities include free coloring books, with Polish pottery, Christmas ornaments and traditional candies available for purchase. Young Polish Texan accordionist Rebecca Jane returns for a third consecutive year and will give two Saturday performances.
Alsatian Heritage and Dance
The Alsatian Dancers of Texas return for a third year, as well, bringing the music, traditional dances and colorful folk costumes of Alsace to the stage. Having also performed in Alsace, the group helps preserve the traditions brought to Texas by the immigrants who founded nearby Castroville in 1844.
German Music and Biergarten
German music includes performances by The Pretzel Meisters and San Antonio’s beloved Beethoven Männerchor band. Members of SV Darmstadt 98, the professional soccer club from San Antonio’s sister city of Darmstadt, Germany, will lead Saturday evening’s ceremonial keg tapping before facing San Antonio FC in an international friendly Sept. 29 at Toyota Field.
A new German biergarten in Maverick Plaza will be at the center of the festivities. Guests can enjoy authentic German beers poured from a custom Bierwagen, a mobile beer wagon fitted with draft taps. Festivities include daily keg tappings, a beer demonstration and stein-hoisting contests. Guests may purchase a handmade ceramic commemorative beer stein commissioned by Chef Johnny exclusively for the 2026 Oktoberfest. The original 2026 design is the third in an annual series that festivalgoers are beginning to collect year after year. Guests may also order a large beer served in a glass stein that is theirs to keep.
Special Sponsors
Special thanks to sponsors Silver Eagle Beverages, NOBLE, Pepsi and La Gloria, and to all participants, volunteers and community partners helping make this year’s celebration another success.
Prost!
Come for the food, stay for the music and join the celebration! Admission is free all weekend.
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Event Details
What: Third annual Oktoberfest at La Villita
When: Friday, Sept. 25, 3 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 27, noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Maverick Plaza in La Villita Historic Arts Village, 418 Villita St., San Antonio
Admission: Free
Information: oktoberfestinlavillita.com and @oktoberfestinlavillita on Instagram
Media Contact:
Janis Turk