Why You Can’t Miss Out on Oktoberfest in Helen, GA

Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich, Germany in the early fall. It celebrates the German culture with many people gathering to hear German music, eat German food and drink German beer. It is truly a bucket list event.

Unfortunately, not everyone can make it to the Oktoberfest in Germany. However, it is celebrated in locations all over the world. Helen, Georgia is a German village that does Oktoberfest big time.

Here’s what you can expect when you visit Helen for the Oktoberfest season.

About Helen Oktoberfest

Helen Oktoberfest has been going on for over 50 years. It is held at the city’s riverside Festhalle.

The event takes place from Thursday to Sunday over the course of three weekends in September and is then held daily throughout late September and all of October.

In 2022, it will be taking place:

Sept 8-11

Sept 15-18

Sept 22-25

Sept 29-30

Hours are as follows:

Thurs: 6-10:30PM

Friday: 6PM – 12:00AM

Saturday: 1PM – 12 AM

Sunday 1-7:00 PM

Admission is $8 Monday through Friday, $10 on Saturday and free on Sunday.

Kids under 6 get in free and kids 6-12 get in half price. Active and retired military get in free with a valid military ID.

Tickets can be purchased at the door. Groups of 25 or more can do advanced reservations and will receive 2 free tickets.

Events

Helen Oktoberfest offers a variety of events and activities. Here are some things you can look forward to.

The Parade: Helen Oktoberfest kicks off the first weekend with a parade that happens on noon in downtown Helen. This year it will be taking place on September 10. Businesses take part with special floats and people dressed up in German costume. The parade starts on Edelweisse Strasse near the Festhalle and turns on Chattahoochee Strass and then again on Main Street before ending at Betty’s Country Store.

The Tapping of the Keg: In keeping with the German tradition, Helen Oktoberfest also has ceremonial tappings of the keg. These take place at various bars and restaurants throughout the town at different dates and times during the Oktoberfest celebration.

Bands: Different German bands perform each year. Check out the website for the lineup. People are welcome to dance the polka.

Food: The event offers a variety of German food items. Favorites include cheddarwurst, Thuringer brats, knockwurst, weisswurst, leberkase, sauerkraut and German potato salad. While in town, you can also check out the various German restaurants in the area, many of which will be serving Oktoberfest specials. These include Hofer’s of Helen, Café International, The Troll Tavern, Bodensee, the Heidelberg German Restaurant, Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant & Lounge, Muller Famous Fried Cheese Café and Hofbrauhaus.

Drinks: Guests can look forward to drinking a variety of German and American beer which will be sold out of the tents set up in the area. Wine, wine coolers and ciders, and soft drinks will be available as well.

Where to Stay

For the full German experience, you may want to stay in an Alpine inspired hotel like Valhalla Resort Hotel and the Heidi Motel. Other options include chain hotels, rental cabins, and campgrounds in nearby communities.

Getting to Helen Oktoberfest

The town of Helen tends to be congested with traffic during Oktoberfest. You are best off taking a tour bus or Uber in. This is also convenient if you plan to be drinking.

Another unique option? Take a horse drawn carriage ride in and out of town.

About Helen

Helen is the perfect location for Oktoberfest. It’s a bustling alpine village set against a backdrop of mountains and riverbanks. Its colorful shops and authentic restaurants will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to the streets of Germany.

The village offers no shortage of things to do. The nature landscape and the Chattahoochie River makes for plenty of outdoor adventures. You can hike, enjoy the waterfalls, paddle across the river and more.

It also has its share of cultural sites including the Sautee Nacoochee Center and Indian Mound, the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, the Helen Arts and Heritage Center and Skylake Galleries.

You can enjoy family fun at the Alpine Speedway Slot Car Racing Center, the Alpine Fun Factory, and the Alpine Mini Golf Village, the Babyland General Hospital Cabbage Patch Kids Display, escape rooms and more.

You can explore the area’s many vineyards and breweries or relax at the hotel spas.

If you can’t make it to Germany for Oktoberfest, Helen, GA makes a terrific alternative. It offers so many exciting things to see and do. Will you be scheduling your trip for the coming season?

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