As a Kitchener native and longtime Oktoberfest fester, I know a thing or two about what should be on the ultimate KW Oktoberfest bucket list. Growing up we’d go to the parade as kids and in university it became an annual tradition to go festing with high school friends. It always takes place over 2 weekends, 1 of which is (Canadian!) Thanksgiving. Everyone who’d gone away for university was back in town for a weekend of partying. In my later 20s and into my 30s I missed some years while living and travelling abroad, though I’ve attended events again over the last few years.
While I’ve mentioned the party side already, it really is a family-friendly event. The festival has also expanded to create non-traditional Oktoberfest activities that attract a more diverse crowd. We’ll get into more of those details below so that you can get into the spirit of Gemütlichkeit!
If this is your first time at KW Oktoberfest, make sure to read this blog post on everything you need to know about attending.
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What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is a Bavarian Volksfest that originated in Munich in 1810. In my research, I learned that it started as a horse race to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and his wife Therese on October 17, 1810. Today it’s known as the world’s largest fair and beer festival.
Why Go to KW Oktoberfest?
Why not go to Kitchener-Waterloo’s Oktoberfest? It’s the world’s 2nd largest after the original Bavarian celebration, and as much as I love a superlative travel experience I don’t mind the runners-up at all! As mentioned, it’s a family-friendly event with a mix of activities to attract everyone from the old-school German festers to the first-timers who may or may not imbibe. It’s a fantastic way to meet locals, enjoy sunny fall weather, and experience a tradition unique to Waterloo Region.
Kitchener’s Oktoberfest is, from what I’ve been told, very different from Oktoberfest in Munich – but still a great time.
Where is KW (Kitchener-Waterloo)?
Located in the province of Ontario, Kitchener-Waterloo is an hour west of Toronto…on a good traffic day.
KW Oktoberfest Tickets
Some of the events, like at the Willkommen Platz and the Oktoberfest Parade, are free. Evening events at KW Oktoberfest’s festhallen are ticketed and can be purchased on the official website. Certain venues, like Concordia, sell out quickly. Get on the KW Oktoberfest mailing list or follow them on Instagram for updates.
Getting to Kitchener
By Car
If you’re from out of town and renting a car, check out the online platform Discover Cars. I’ve used them and everything was super easy. They gather data from several companies so that you can compare prices in one place. I also like how they display the breakdown for all fees and taxes. Discover Cars offers lower prices because they negotiate on your behalf directly with the car rental companies.
For those travelling from Toronto or east of Toronto, take the 401 West until you hit Highway 8. Take the ON-8 exit toward Kitchener-Waterloo and voilà, you’re there.
Pro Tip: For the best driving directions for Canada or overseas, I use the Waze app.
By Train
I love taking the train. While it tends to be more economical in other countries, Ontarians have 2 options with VIA Rail and the GO Train. It’s advised to book in advance, especially during peak times. You can purchase your ticket online up to 90 days before travel at GoTransit.com, at ticket offices, or at ticket vending machines when they’re available.
The train trip from Toronto’s Union station to Kitchener’s Downtown station takes around 1.75 hours to 2 hours.
During Oktoberfest, check out the LederGOsen Line. Ticket holders receive round-trip travel, as well as perks like VIP access to the Willkommen Platz Biergarten. I heard rumours that Onkel Hans will be greeting everyone has they arrive at the Kitchener Station! This special event train ticket is valid for return travel from any station to Kitchener GO and return.
By Bus
GO Transit also offers intercity bus options. Visit the website for more information.
Transportation in Waterloo Region
By Foot
My favourite way to see a place is by walking. Within each town it’s pretty easy to do, depending on where you’re staying. Getting from town to town you will likely want a car or other mode of transportation, unless you’re game for a very long stroll!
By City Bus
If you’re travelling within KW to Oktoberfest, have a look at the Grand River Transit website for routes, schedules, and the most up-to-date fare information.
A single ride or single ticket transfer purchased from the vending machine costs $4 CAD as of October 2025. Up to 3 children under the age of 7 ride free with a paying customer. If you’ll be zipping around town, you might consider purchasing a Day Pass for $8 that gives you unlimited travel on a single calendar day. Families might want to look into the Group Pass, which costs $12 and allows unlimited trips for up to five people, of any age, travelling together on any single day.
Pro Tip: Get an EasyGO Fare Card to travel like a local and save money! They’re reusable pre-paid public transit cards using a tap-on system and they reduce the fare by 25% to only $3. The card itself costs $4 and then can be reloaded on an as-needed basis.
By Car / Taxi / Uber
Kitchener-Waterloo public transit can take a while to get from place to place, depending on your departure and arrival points. Perhaps I’m spoiled, but I do find a car faster and more convenient for local transportation. That being said, if you’re planning on drinking or don’t want to deal with parking at some of the venues, there’s nothing wrong with booking an Uber, having a sober friend take the wheel, or hopping on public transit.
Where to Stay in Waterloo Region
There are a range of accommodation options for a weekend in Waterloo Region. For vacation rentals there’s Airbnb and VRBO. If you prefer hotels, there’s Hotels.com for discounted hotel stays. My favourite local accommodation is the Walper Hotel, a boutique hotel and historic building in downtown Kitchener. Even though I’m from Kitchener, I stayed here 1 night just to see if the rumours of it being haunted were true. I won’t spoil the answer for you – it’s best to see for yourself!
Your Ultimate KW Oktoberfest Bucket List
Okay, now that we’ve got all of the logistics out of the way, let’s dive into the fun stuff!
1. Attend the Opening Ceremonies
The opening ceremonies are a must-attend, especially if it’s your first time at KW Oktoberfest. It’s held outdoors and on a warm fall day it’s the perfect way to soak in the sunshine. There’ll be live music and the classic Oktoberfest chants, as well as the first official keg tapping and, of course, snacks and a drink or two for those who care to indulge.
2. Visit a Festhalle (Festival Hall)
There are 5 German heritage clubs in Waterloo Region which also serve as official KW Oktoberfest Festhallen. Each of them have a different vibe, though they will all have live music and performing acts, food, and plenty to drink. Regardless of which one you go to, as long as you’re with good people you’ll have an amazing and memorable time!
- Alpine Club, also known as Habsburg Haus, is a quieter spot with an older crowd. They host So You Think You Can Tanz, where each of the local German clubs’ dance groups perform. The apple strudel here is homemade by its members. Save room for dessert!
- Concordia Club is a livelier location, with events like Industry Night and crowds that span the 20-40-something age range. Fridays and Saturdays tend to sell out, so get your tickets as soon as they’re released. This is the place to meet and mingle with strangers as it’s bigger (4,000 capacity) and louder than the rest. Concordia Club is also where KW Oktoberfest originated! If you want to see something unique, head to the basement.
- Hubertushaus is located the farthest away from the action in Mannheim and is a hunting and fishing club. It’s said that the food is best here (think rollbraten with homemade spaetzle, wiener schnitzel with potato salad, or Oktoberfest sausage on a bun with sauerkraut). If you’re looking for something really unique, they host “Bogenschuetzenfest” which is an archery competition and KW Oktoberfest’s longest running cultural event.
- Schwaben Club is smaller and generally has lower prices, as well as several beers on tap from Germany. You’re also more likely to hear German spoken here or at Hubertushaus.
- Transylvania Club celebrates the Transylvania Saxon region and language and was founded in 1951. They no longer host their own event and instead have joined forces with the Alpine Club to host the “Habsburg Haus” events. If you’re jonesing to try something different, try a pig tail!
- Bingemans is no longer an official part of Oktoberfest. They cater to the 20-something crowd, with more contemporary music and a university party vibe.
3. Try New Foods
Foodies, get those tastebuds ready! There are so many different dishes, snacks, and drinks to try on your KW Oktoberfest Bucket List. Of course, there are the German classics, but let’s not forget the zanier options too. The items below will get you started, though there are even more to choose from during the festival.
Classic German Food & Drink to Try at KW Oktoberfest
- Apple Butter
- Apple Strudel (dessert!)
- Beer Nuts
- Bratwurst (pork sausage)
- Cabbage Rolls
- Kartoffelpuffer (pancakes)
- Oktoberfest Mustard
- Potato Salad
- Preztels
- Rollbraten (thin cut of pork, rolled up and stuffed with a filling)
- Rotkohl (red cabbage)
- Sauerkraut (raw fermented cabbage)
- Schnitzel (pounded, breaded, and fried cutlet that can be pork, chicken, or veal)
- Slow-Cooked Pigtail
- Spaetzle (egg-based noodles or dumplings)
Quirky Food & Drinks to Try at KW Oktoberfest
- Oktoberfest Ice Cream (FourAll)
- Märzen Amber Lager (Wellington Brewery) *Fun Fact: Märzen means “March beer” in English and comes from Bavarian brewing traditions!
- Oktoberfest-Themed Pizza (The Civil, Those Pizza Guys)
- Oktoberfest Poutine (Moose Winooski’s)
- Pickle on a Stick
- These Pretzels Are Making Me Thirsty Festbier (Four Fathers Brewing)
4. Collect the Annual Oktoberfest Pin
KW’s Oktoberfest pin are the ultimate souvenir and a way to blend in Waterloo Region locals. How? Look out in any festhalle or Oktoberfest crowd and you’re guaranteed to spot a sea of pin-covered hats. There are annual pins, special edition pins, and spin-off pins. Keep your eye out for the annual pin – they’re the tried and true option to buy. There are also really neat special edition pins like the 2025 Walter Ostenak pin.
5. Wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen
Dressing up is a whole other level of getting into the KW Oktoberfest spirit! Personally, I’ve yet to wear traditional German attire to Oktoberfest. Typically it was my German-Canadian friends who either grew up going to the heritage clubs or those who had travelled to Munich and bought a dirndl (dress) or lederhosen (pants) in Germany who went all out. This shop in Kitchener imports traditional Tracht (clothing) from Germany.
6. Drink Beer (or another local beverage of your choice)
There are plenty of opportunities to try different beers, both local and German, at KW Oktoberfest. Check out local beer from TWAS NOW Brewing, TWB Brewing, Wellington Brewing, or Four Fathers Brewing, and spirits from Dixon’s Distillery. German import options include Weihenstephan Hefeweissbier, Paulaner Original Munich Premuim Lager, and Erdinger Weissbrau to name a few. Molson is one of the sponsors of the festival, and thus has a monopoly on what gets poured in certain venues. If you’re a beer connoisseur, maybe stick with the smaller heritage clubs.
For the non-beer drinkers, there are pre-made cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks available.
7. Eat a Pretzel with Oktoberfest Mustard
Oktoberfest pretzels are the perfect snack – especially with the right mustard. Schneider’s used to make Oktoberfest mustard but it was discontinued in 2020. People love it so much that someone found and shared the recipe. A local business called SNickelFritz also makes their own Oktoberfest Mustard. Grainharvest Breadhouse is a local artisan bakery that’s been around for nearly 40 years. Their pretzels are so soft and the perfect saltiness. You’ll find their pretzels at the Willkommen Platz as well as various festhallen.
8. Attend the Oktoberfest Parade
The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade is a classic event to attend during the 2-week festival. The parade is always held on Thanksgiving Monday morning, through rain, snow, or sun. I’ll never forget being in this parade as a kid and having to wear a puffy winter coat under my float’s t-shirt because it was so cold. I felt like a bowling ball! It was still a lot of fun though. Gather your friends, the kids, and a cuppa something warm to sit and enjoy the show.
After the parade, which is in Downtown Kitchener, check out local favourites like Matter of Taste, Holly’s Neighbourhood Cafe, Lucero, or any other number of cute and cozy establishments for a bite to eat.
Outside of the festival tents and biergarten, there are several other events to participate in as well.
- Sticks & Steins Co-Ed Ball Hockey Tournament (19+)
- KIDtoberfest
- FARMtoberfest
- Hockey with Hans Ball Hockey Tournament (U7 to U19)
9. Visit the Willkommen Platz in Downtown Kitchener
Located in Downtown Kitchener’s Carl Zehr Square, the Willkommen Platz is a free indoor-outdoor pedestrian-friendly event venue. Here you’ll find everything from outdoor concerts, to keg tappings and a Bavarian market with 60 vendors, to a bumpin’ biergarten serving Ontario and German brews, food vendors, and more.
Here is a tasty list of past food and drink vendors:
- BEER & SPIRITS: TWAS NOW Brewing, TWB Brewing + Dixon’s Distillery, Cowbell Brewing Co, Broken Rail Brewing, Lake of Bays Brewing, Happy Dad, Erdinger Weibbier
- FOOD TRUCKS: Berlin 95, BerryBir & Beans, 519 Patty Wagon, Butter & Creme Bakery and BBQ, Marquez Churros, Revive Game Bar Inc., The Candy Counter Inc., We Burger
10. Donate to the Onkel Hans Food Drive
Donating to food banks is an excellent way to directly and positively impact local communities. Unfortunately there’s more need than ever, so if you’re able please contribute. The popular Stuff a Bus campaign, which accepts non-perishable food at the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as several other events such as the annual comedy show or at a KW Rangers hockey game, is a longstanding Oktoberfest tradition. Donations are also accepted online or by phone.
11. Learn about the Maypole
The maypole has been a symbol of KW’s Oktoberfest since 1988 – a most fabulous year, if I do say so. On it, you’ll find both the Kitchener and Waterloo crests, plus the crests of the 5 local German heritage clubs (Alpine, Concordia, Hubertushaus, Schwaben, and Transylvania). The original maypole is in city storage at the moment. A simpler mobile one used these days until a permanent home is found for the new Hans Haus.
Traditionally maypoles have symbolized the beginning of harvest season and are found in many different cultures. They’re often decorated with flowers and incorporated into dances on May Day and Midsummer celebrations.
12. Buy a Souvenir from the Hans House Pop-Up
If you’re visiting Waterloo Region and wondering what a unique souvenir would be to bring home, look no further than the Hans House Pop-Up Oktoberfest Shop. A classic choice is the annual Oktoberfest pin. They’re a collector’s item and what you’ll see pinned all over people’s hats. They’re also affordable, super easy to pack, and if you’re a pin collector it’s a no-brainer! Another great option is a t-shirt or sweater. I’ve got the yellow one shown in the picture and nearly bought a crimson red one this year too. Everything is printed locally by Civilian Screen Printing.
Random Fact: The official Oktoberfest Hans Haus shop used to be in a “castle” in downtown Kitchener.
13. Try Oktoberfest Ice Cream
I know what you’re thinking – this can’t be a thing. It is though! Local ice cream maker, Four All Ice Cream, is known for their creative flavours made with high quality locally-sourced ingredients. I could go on and on about this company (their sustainability practices, how it’s BIPOC- and woman-owned by a former engineer, or how I’ve tried nearly every flavour and am practically their unofficial ambassador because I tell everyone about it…), but I’ll spare you my enthusiastic ramblings! Instead, let’s focus on the fact that there are real-life Oktoberfest ice cream flavours.
In 2025 the specials were:
- Black Forest Cake (vanilla, brownie chunks, candied cherries, fudge swirl)
- Apfelstreudel (apple, raisins, oat streusel)
- Plum Sorbet
- Sausage and Sauerkraut
Which one would you try? Would you be brave (/crazy?) enough to give Sausage and Sauerkraut a go?
14. Dance the Polka or Do the Chicken Dance
After all these years I still can’t say I know how to Polka, but I can dance the heck out of the Chicken Dance! It’s not necessary to learn any of the steps before you go. That being said, check out KW Oktoberfest Bucket List item number 18 if you’re keen on coming prepared. To really do your research, check out Canada’s Polka King, Walter Ostanek. The main goal, of course, is just to have fun!
15. Meet Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda
Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda (aka Uncle Hans and Aunt Frieda) are the beloved KW Oktoberfest mascots. Onkel Hans has been a part of the festival since 1974. You might even have seen him at other events around North America as an ambassador of the community, such as the Calgary Stampede, Québec’s Winter Carnival, Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Bavarian Festival. When I was growing up they used to visit all the schools to teach students the Chicken Dance and get them excited for Oktoberfest. I’m not sure if they still do that, but those assemblies were the best!
Meet Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda
16. Find the Singing Clock
Kitchener’s Glockenspiel or Heritage Carillon (with 18 bells!) is located in Waterloo, steps away from Kitchener. Originally built in 1984, it was refurbished in 2018 and unveiled, funnily enough, in March of 2020. The time teller plays Polka music and has different anthropomorphic instruments that plays on the hour, a steam paddle wheel, and swaying beer steins. Oddly, I only have a picture of it in winter time, so please enjoy this snowy photo and good luck on your treasure hunt!
17. Participate in the Fair Games
In true fair fashion, there are several games of strength, skill, luck, and just plain fun for you to try your hand at. Some of them are fundraisers for local charities and organizations, so you’re a winner either way.
18. Learn the Oktoberfest Songs
If you’re going to attend Oktoberfest, there are a few songs and chants that you’ve got to know so you can sing along.
- Ein Prosit
- Chicken Dance
- 99 Red Balloons (this is the English version but it’s a German song)
- Ziggy Zaggy
19. Make New Friends
Whether you’re travelling from far away or just down the street, get in the “traveller spirit” and be open to meeting new people. It’s easy to make friends at large festivals like this between the liquid courage, good humour, and fun atmosphere of the event. Not sure how to crack the ice? Compliment someone’s outfit, get out on the dance floor, or offer to take their photo!
20. Put it in the Calendar for Next Year!
Make KW’s Oktoberfest an annual event in your calendar. You know you want to!
Bonus Google Map
I’ve put together this bonus Google Map of places to eat, stay, and adventure during your time in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada for Oktoberfest. There are also location markers for train stations to help you plan the logistics. Feel free to add this map to your phone for easy access on your travels.
Sneak Peek of Your KW Oktoberfest Bucket List
Have a sneak peek of your KW Oktoberfest Bucket List in action!
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Activities
Get Your Guide is a fantastic resource for different activities to try when travelling. They have everything from walking tours, food tours, tickets to attractions, and multi-day trips, and more. Check out this super cool view I had of Tallinn when I was in Estonia for the Christmas markets in 2023, all because of a Get Your Guide experience. My favourite tour so far that I’ve been on with Get Your Guide is a fantastic walking food tour I did in Dublin. That experience had a wild twist – you’ll have to read this blog post to find out why!
