Alpine Fun at the Annual Helen Georgia Oktoberfest
Did you know that the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States happens in Helen in the North Georgia mountains each year? Join the town of Helen this Fall to celebrate the annual Helen Oktoberfest!
Helen Oktoberfest 2023 starts on September 7th and lasts for 7 and a half weeks! Get details below on how to enjoy Helen’s most popular annual event!
Helen Oktoberfest 2023 begins on September 7, 2023
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest 2023
The 2023 Helen Oktoberfest dates are from September 7 through October 29. Make plans now to attend the festivities with the details below.
So what should you expect at the annual Oktoberfest event in Helen?
Oktoberfest fun includes beer, music, German food, and traditional attire
The alpine mountain town of Helen looks like a Bavarian village all year round, but this small town packs extra oomph during Oktoberfest. In addition to the lively German music and attire, expect to find plenty of beer, wine, and traditional German foods including brats and sauerkraut!
The weather may still be hot as festivities get started in September — you may even find yourself sweating in your lederhosen! As the event nears its close in late October, the weather will be cooler and the Georgia mountains will burst with gorgeous fall colors. Make sure to check the weather forecast in advance to ensure your comfort.
Traffic can slow down considerably during peak hours, so give yourself extra time for travel. The biggest crowds show up when the fall colors of the leaves in the mountains are at their most colorful peak — this annual display attracts thousands of people to enjoy the natural beauty and coincides with the Oktoberfest schedule.
Make certain to book your lodging well in advance for these peak weekend dates in October.
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest Schedule
You will find that the entire Helen village gets wrapped up in the spirit of Oktoberfest, but the main event happens in the Helen Festhalle at 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. Mark your calendars and plan to attend the festivities.
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest 2023 Dates
Helen GA Oktoberfest 2023 Dates
The 2023 Helen Ga Oktoberfest starts on Thursday, September 7th, and runs through Sunday, October 29th. The Helen Festhalle will be open Thursdays – Sundays in September (9/7 – 9/30) and open daily through the end of Oktoberfest (10/1 – 10/29).
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest 2023 Daily Hours
Purchase your tickets at the door for the Helen Oktoberfest. The event is kid-friendly and kids even have their own dance floor! Active and retired military get free admission with a valid military ID. Plus, everyone gets in free on Sundays!
- Monday – Thursday • 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
- Friday • 6:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Saturday • 1:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Sunday • 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest 2023 Parade
There is an Oktoberfest parade on the first Saturday of Oktoberfest to kick off the festival. The 2023 Oktoberfest parade is on Saturday, September 9th at 12:00 pm.
Get there early to find a great viewing spot along the Helen Oktoberfest parade route:
- Starts on Edelweiss Strasse near the Festhalle
- Turns on to Chattahoochee Strasse
- Turns on to Main Street
- Ends at Betty’s Country Store
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest 2023 Bands
Enjoy authentic live German music at the Helen Festhalle that starts 30 minutes after the doors open each day.
The 2023 Helen Oktoberfest music lineup includes some of the top acts performing Oktoberfest favorites.
- September 7 – 10 with music from The Czechers and Alpen Echos
- September 14 – 17 with music from Martin Gross und sein Sonnenschein Express and Das Haus
- September 21 – 24 with music from Prost and Alpen Echos
- September 28 – October 1 with music from Zuelfel Brothers and Sonnen Schnapps
- October 2 – 8 with music from Squeeze Box featuring Ted Lange & Mollie B. and Sonnen Schnapps
- October 9 – 15 with music from Alex Meixner Band and Duncan Schoen
- October 16 – 22 with music from Alpenmusikanten and Pech & Schweifel
- October 23 – 29 with music from Europa and Das Haus
Arrive early for the best seats or spend the entire time doing traditional dances on the dance floor!
You can also find great bands at other places throughout Helen – read this article for more information on where you’ll find live music in Helen all year long!
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest 2022 Keg Tapping
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest 2022 Keg Tapping and parade route
Visitors that are ages 21+ are invited to join the Helen Oktoberfest keg tapping events located around town. These events happen on Saturday afternoons during the first half of Oktoberfest. Bring $10 cash for daily participation.
The keg-tapping schedule is announced about a month before the start of Oktoberfest, but the 2022 schedule below allows you to see what you might expect for 2023.
- Saturday, September 10th
- 1:30 pm – Helen Festhalle
- 3:00 pm – Bigg Daddy’s
- 3:30 pm – Slice of Helen
- 4:00 pm – Bodensee
- Saturday, September 17th
- 12:00 pm – Cowboys & Angels
- 12:30 pm – The Troll Tavern
- 1:00 pm – Cafe International
- Saturday, September 24th
- 12:00 pm – The Heidelberg
- 12:30 pm – King Ludwig Biergarten
- 1:00 pm – Alpine Brew Deck
- Saturday, October 1st
- 12:00 pm – Hofbrauhaus
- 12:30 pm – Betty’s Country Store
- 1:00 pm – Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe
- 1:30 pm – Two Tire Tavern
- Saturday, October 8th
- 12:00 pm – Sweet Acre Farms Wine
- 12:30 pm – Chattahoochee Dog Haus
- 1:00 pm – Spice 55
- 1:30 pm – Monday’s Pub
See the interactive map below to help plan your trip.
Helen Georgia Oktoberfest Cost
The Helen Oktoberfest is free for everyone on Sundays. Active and retired military personnel get free admission every day with a valid military ID.
Helen Ga Oktoberfest 2023 Tickets
Oktoberfest tickets are available for purchase in person at the door. Helen Oktoberfest is a kid-friendly event and kids even have their own dance floor!
- Monday – Friday • $8.00 ages 13+ • $4.00 ages 6 – 12 • free for kids under age 6
- Saturday • $10.00 ages 13+ • $5.00 ages 6 – 12 • free for kids under age 6
- Sunday • free admission for everyone
Groups of 25 or more can request a group package with advance reservation & prepayment only. Tables will be reserved for groups booking Monday through Thursday (must arrive at Festhalle by 6:30 pm). Each group will receive 2 free tickets.
Note that everyone has their ID checked upon entrance, so remember to bring your ID!
Helen Oktoberfest Food Menu
Helen Oktoberfest Menu
The Helen Festhalle serves traditional German favorites like bratwurst, sauerkraut, leberkase, and German potato salad. Snackable standards like nachos, hot dogs, and cookies are available for any picky eaters in your group.
Outside of the Festhalle, Helen is known for many great restaurants with German food and drink all year long!
Helen Oktoberfest Lodging
There are lots of different options for lodging in Helen during Oktoberfest, but be sure to book in advance as most Helen hotels and rentals will sell out on peak Oktoberfest dates.
For the best experience, try to find a place within walking distance from downtown Helen. It’s a great time of year to be outside for a walk around town, plus vehicle traffic can be especially busy during Oktoberfest.
Helen Vacation Rentals by Owner
Lost Soles of the River Cabin Rental in Helen, GA
There are many great VRBO vacation rentals in Helen located within walking distance to the center of the Helen village. Choose from great options including riverfront rentals of houses, condos, cabins, and cottages. Find pet-friendly options or something big enough for a large group!
Helen Hotels & Motels
Stay with familiar brands and find perks including free breakfast, parking, and internet access. Earn free nights or loyalty points with select rates. Find the best prices and search multiple hotel properties/brands with online travel agencies like Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline, and Booking.com.
Helen Camping
Get a little closer to nature with a stay at a campground. Find primitive campsites, glamping options, or rent an RV for your camping trip.
Helen Oktoberfest Transportation
The popular Oktoberfest event sees the small town of Helen (population 543) swell to greet thousands of visitors each year. This can stretch transportation resources like taxi companies, making it challenging to find a driver when you need one most. Make plans in advance to ensure you get home safely.
- If possible, book Helen lodging within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and the festhalle and don’t drive during Oktoberfest
- Visitors from nearby cities may be able to book tour buses that include transportation to Helen and back
- If you will be drinking and cannot walk home, designate a sober driver or arrange for other transportation
- Rideshare apps (like Lyft and Uber) do not officially show Helen as a city that they serve, but drivers may be in the area during peak times (it is not advised to count on this option)
- For trips within Helen, you can opt for a horse-drawn carriage to take to you into town and back (service area and business hours are very limited)
- Alpine Carriage Company +1 (706) 892-8134
- Pegasus Horse Drawn Carriages +1 (706) 499-1159
What to Take to the 2023 Helen Oktoberfest
Plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need during the festival.
Essentials for Oktoberfest
Everyone is going to be asked for identification, so be sure to take your ID with you to the Helen Festhalle. Additionally, it is recommended to carry some cash, because even though most places accept credit cards, most of the parking lots are cash only and you may want to tip servers and musicians with cash.
An easy-to-carry crossbody purse or satchel can keep important items close while you dine and dance to live music. Keep a water bottle with you to make sure you stay hydrated during long days and nights of festivities!
Dressing for Oktoberfest
Although dressing up for Oktoberfest is not required, you may find that it helps you to enjoy yourself just a little more.
Oktoberfest Clothing for Men
Men can choose to wear a simple checkered trachten shirt that is traditional and festive, but also versatile enough also to be something that could be worn year-round.
For those wanting to wear very traditional attire, take comfort in knowing that there will be plenty of men wearing lederhosen in Helen during Oktoberfest. Formerly, lederhosen were worn for hard physical work, as the leather material was more durable than a fabric garment. Today, they are mostly worn as leisurewear and are commonly seen at Oktoberfest events.
Oktoberfest Clothing for Women
The traditional Oktoberfest dress for women is the dirndl. Women should be aware that the way the knot is tied on the dirndl may signify your relationship status: a knot on the left means you are single, a knot on the right means you are taken, a knot in the center may signify virginity, and a knot in the back can indicate a widow or a waitress.
Oktoberfest Clothing for Children
Children can choose to get in on the fun by getting fully dressed up or simply adding a fun touch to any outfit.
Oktoberfest Accessories
Add an extra touch to the fun with these Oktoberfest-themed accessories.
Oktoberfest for Pets
If you are traveling with your dog (note that only service dogs are allowed into the Helen Festhalle), you may also want to let your dog dress up for the occasion. There are many fun costumes available for dogs of all sizes!
Additional Helen Oktoberfest Resources
The official events happen at the Helen Festhalle at 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA. Many restaurants and places in Helen will also be participating in additional ways.
Helen Oktoberfest Interactive Map
Use the interactive map below to find the Kickoff Parade route, the Keg Tapping route, the main festival hall, and more!
Staying Safe at Helen Oktoberfest
While the festive environment usually brings out the best in people, law enforcement officers will be there to help with crowd control and ensure that everyone has a great time.
If someone in your group needs legal advice or assistance, contact the legal team of Corales & Woody for a free legal consultation.
This Georgia legal team has years of experience and can answer your questions over the phone at (678) 961-3999. Contact them any time via phone, email, or online form.
Helen Georgia Links
Visit these links to learn more about things to do in Helen, GA in October and all year round!
- Helen, GA – best places to stay
- Helen, GA – best restaurants
- Helen, GA – best places for live music
- Helen Chamber of Commerce – official Oktoberfest website
- Oktoberfest Festhalle Friends, Helen, Georgia – Facebook group
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Helen Ga Oktoberfest Map 2022 Keg Tapping
Learn more from this video about Helen Oktoberfest 2022.
Have you been to one of the annual Helen Oktoberfest events? What are you looking most forward to this year?
I can see enjoying a trip to Georgia for the OktoberFest. My sister-in-law lives in Jasper which is about 1.5 hrs from Helen, and I am 100% sure she and her husband would love to join me and my husband in attending this year, or maybe next year, gotta plan financially at least a little. We live in Colorado, so it’s a bit of a drive, the husband is terrified of planes.
My husband would enjoy the music and food, I would be there for the BEER!! We could both use some family time with his sister too. Thanks for writing such a great guide for the Helen OktoberFest.
Stacie
Hi Stacie! This would be a great opportunity to visit your sister-in-law and enjoy some of the fun events in North Georgia. If you do visit during the early fall, there are also wonderful harvest festivals that are a little closer to Jasper that you may also enjoy!
Hi there,
Thanks for the informative article, the Oktoberfest at Helen, Georgia sounds amazing!
I’ve attended a few in the UK and didn’t realise it was a thing over in the States.
It sounds georgous with the autumnal leaves and with the sourounding mountains looks like it makes a really magical experience! I hope I can attend!
Cheers!
Bren
Hi Ben, It’s great to start planning now as this is a very popular event. It’s smart to book hotel / cabin rental reservations early so that you can choose from the best selection of places to stay! 🙂
I had no idea such an extensive Oktoberfest celebration took place in the US let alone in Georgia! There must be a large German heritage in Helen. In the late 1990’s I went on a business trip to Munich with my wife in October. We were fortunate to have visited the Haufbrauhaus. Buxom wenches carrying a multitude of steins filled with beer were an amazing sight.
You provided incredible details about the event in Helen that would help anyone indenting to attend everything they needed to prepare as well as have a great time. I was amazed that you even covered clothing for pets!
Cheers.
Edwin
Hi Edwin, Helen’s Alpine identity comes from intentional city planning in the 1960s. The alpine look was mandated in 1969 in an attempt to attract tourists to the town after the logging industry had left. Now in its 50th year of Oktoberfest celebrations, the plan has definitely proven to attract tourists to the small mountain town!
I absolutely love October for all the fun festivals. This one looks like a blast! I see that it runs through November 7th, which is perfect because I’ll actually be traveling through that area on November 5th. I’m going to put it on my itinerary! I bet the area is gorgeous that time of year too!
Hi Alicia, It’s hard to know exactly when the peak fall colors will arrive each year, but late October and early November are always a good bet. I hope the trees put on a beautiful show for you on your upcoming trip to North Georgia! Enjoy!
Wow! That is a very long Oktoberfest… 6 week and a half longer than the one held in Germany if I am not mistaking? Your site is really well done and very informative. It seems it include all the information we need to book a trip. I am wondering, just curious, is there a lot of German resident in Helen?
Hi Olivier, Thanks so much. There are a few residents in Helen with German roots, and fortunately, some of them have started great restaurants and other businesses in town to add authenticity to your visit.
Wow, this looks like super fun and 8 and a half weeks on shows, parties, and drinking. I see that they have a different band and theme for each week, what fun. As a musician, this is the ultimate festival! I like that they have specific kid-friendly events too and I will be definitely taking a horse-drawn carriage ride. I would love to dress in some of these gorgeous clothes for the event. This is a must-do on my calendar. Everyone should enjoy some Alpine fun at least once in their lives.
Hi Lily, The weather is perfect right now and should make for a great Oktoberfest trip to Helen!
Are there rides, games, activities etc., besides the shops, food, bands, etc.?
Hi James, Helen Oktoberfest kicks off with a few notable activities including the “tapping of the keg” at local bars and restaurants and there is a parade through town on the first Saturday of Oktoberfest. There is a lot of dancing in the Festhalle and the chicken dance is played often. Most local places find some way to join in on the fun — expect to hear live music throughout Helen on Oktoberfest weekends.
There are also a couple of other Helen events that coincide with the Oktoberfest schedule like the ArtOberfest Arts & Fine Crafts Festival (10/22/21 – 10/23/21) that will include local vendors, face painting, and more. Check the Alpine Helen / White County calendar for details about specific dates.
I landed on your site because looking for suggestions about horseback riding. And I feel Dahlonega would be my best option for that.
The Helen Oktoberfest looks very close by and would make a great excursion to see while I’m there. Are these 2 towns really close enough to see both in a day?
Hi Ann, Helen and Dahlonega are only 25 miles apart from each other and the drive between them is quite scenic. If you have some spare time on your fall trip to Dahlonega, it’s definitely a unique experience to see the big German-themed Oktoberfest in the middle of the Georgia mountains!
Hello there! Thank you very much for sharing this article on the alpine fun at the annual Helen ga Oktoberfest. I must say I really did enjoy going through this article as it’s such an interesting place tucked into the mountains. This is really cool because I love celebrating Oktoberfest and I never knew this alpine village existed in Georgia. I would really love to experience this Oktoberfest because of the love I have for German food and eventually they’re would be bear also. thanks for this
Hi Sophie, Helen is a neat little town and makes the perfect spot for Oktoberfest celebrations. I hope you are able to join the fun at the 50th annual Oktoberfest starting on September 9, 2021!
Oh, this is so sad as I have always wanted to be a part of Oktoberfest and I was already thinking that this year would be my year to join in on everything. What you shared is good atleast now I would be very prepared for the one that they will be putting together next year for sure. It’s really good, thank you very much.
Hi Jackie, It stinks that the main events were not able to happen in 2020, but at least we have had extra time to plan for a fun event in 2021!
Definitely this is a shock to me too when I found out because we always attend the Oktoberfest. It is always fun and then this year turned out to be how it is, we can only hope for better days, going forward. Hence, seeing all of these, I am delighted to say I value what had been shared and thus far was really good. Thank you for sharing
No one expected that the official Oktoberfest events would be cancelled for 2020 but hopefully the 2021 event will be the best yet!
Hello dear, thanks for sharing the information with us. It’s helpful to know this information — especially where to find legal advice for the local area should one need it (hopefully not, but better to be prepared). I’m also glad that you shared some ideas for what to wear to Oktoberfest. I don’t think I’m all in for the lederhosen, but a blue Trachten shirt will be just right! Thanks!
Wearing Trachten shirts for Oktoberfest is a great way to show spirit while enjoying the unique German food and music!
Heloo over there, thanks for sharing all the details about the Helen Oktoberfest for 2020. I am very happy to see the band schedule with links to some of the band websites. It’s great to listen to the Oktoberfest bands online to help me get excited and in the Oktoberfest mood while I plan the details of the trip. Thanks for the links to the cabins and also for the ideas about what to wear to Oktoberfest… it’s not often that lederhosen are a wardrobe option!!
Nice! It’s great that you’re enjoying the Oktoberfest spirit while planning out the details of the trip!! I’m glad you enjoyed the tips and links for what to wear to Oktoberfest. You can obviously wear anything you like (no special attire is required), but it’s much more fun to dress more authentic and show a little more spirit!
Hi there thanks for the review. The Oktoberfest Celebration in Helen, GA is One of the Best in the U.S. Oktoberfest is a German tradition celebrated around the world, dating back to the early 1800s to celebrate the marriage of a prince and princess. I was privileged to be in the fest last year and I can tell you I had a great time because there was lots of activities
It’s great to hear that you had such a great time as a participant in Oktoberfest last year!
Excellent website that covers almost everything you need to know to have an enjoyable visit to this replica Bavarian town . From lodging, food, local transportation, map identifying everything,activities for Children and Adults, what to bring and not to bring and clothing that can be purchased for the atmosphere of the visit. There is a list of expected weather in the Georgia mountains at that time of year. Unforeseen conditions are provided for emergency services and Police will be evident throughout to make sure that it is an enjoyable occurrence for everybody. I do have one question and that is; what is the nearest major airport if sombody is coming from a distance that they could fly into?
Hi Edward,
Helen is located in the Northeastern Georgia mountains, and is about a 1.5 – 2.0 hour drive to three major airports: Atlanta, GA (ATL), Chattanooga, TN (CHA), and Greenville, SC (GSP).
There are a few other small regional airports in the area for those who are flying in with their own aircraft (these smaller airports do not have commercial passenger service).
I have never heard about Helen Georgia Octoberfest before. It sounds a lot of fun and a wonderful way to meet new people from all around the world. VRBO vacation rentals looks like a wonderful opportunity to rent a cozy wooden cabin. It sounds like a thing I have to explore some time!
Thanks for sharing this awsome guide with us! It makes it much easier to plan the Octoberfest!
Al tthe best,
Fred.
Oktoberfest is a wonderful time to visit the Georgia mountains, and Helen is full of people celebrating the event everywhere.
Having a place to stay in town is the best way to wander around and take in all of the spirit. It’s a great time to plan for this right now as lodging usually gets filled up on the busiest weekends in October / November. VRBO has a great selection of unique owner-leased cabins to choose from!
This is amazing because I love Oktoberfest and I never knew this place existed in Georgia about an hour and a half northeast of where my sister lives in Alpharetta. I will not be able to make it this year but I will definitely make it a point to get there next year. Being so close, I will be able to save money and not need lodging.
I really like the architecture of the town. I find it interesting as to why it all looks like a Bavarian town in the Appalachian Mountains of a southern U.S. state. The prices for admission are very reasonable and the food and drink menu items is making me hungry right now. It’s great how long it runs. Something to look forward to on the weekends.
How cool that you have family so close and that you’ll be able to check it out in 2020. That will be the 50th anniversary of the event so I’m betting it will be even more fun during that milestone!
Oh My Goodness! If I didn’t know any better I would think this was in the heart of Bavaria! Oktoberfest in Helen makes our local Oktoberfest (that lasts only 3 or 4 days) look like a half-baked cake walk.
This destination in definitely going on my future road-trip itinerary.
Thank you for including links to purchase authentic clothing (for people AND pets!) The web cam is a brilliant idea – a majority of us are so visual, this added dimension is a great motivator to visit the Georgia mountains and attend this awesome festival!
Now, back to the web cam!
I’m glad you enjoyed the Oktoberfest clothing links… I figure it’s easier to share a few ideas / options for everyone than to start looking from scratch!
I’ve been enjoying the webcam as well, although it’s too bad it only shows a small area of the overall Oktoberfest festival. When the weather is so nice, most people will stay outside near the Chattahoochee River and move inside later when things cool off.
Hi,
Excellent article about alpine fun at the annual Helen ga Octoberfest. I really enjoyed this post. Although, I don’t tour that much my nephew is a world tour person. Whenever he gets the time and any occasion, he will never miss anything. So I am going to share with him and I am sure he will definitely this post helpful, as you explain everything from accommodation, food everything. Thanks a lot.
Thank you for sharing! One of the best parts of Oktoberfest is getting to meet the wide variety of people who travel from all over the world!!
Oh my goodness I just happened to run accross this and glad I did. This brought back a few memories, I am so glad to see the Oktoberfest is still going strong in Helen. I have been to a few of them over 20 years ago when I was a young un LOL . Boy it has also grown and become quite a festival it looks like. Makes me miss the Ga mountains.
The Georgia mountains have always been beautiful, but they have definitely seen growth in the last 20 years. In addition to the long running Helen Oktoberfest, there are now dozens of vineyards and lots of new, unique attractions to enjoy. I hope you can make it back for a visit soon!!
Oktoberfest is one of my all-time favorite festivals and I’m always looking for great places outside of Munich to visit and celebrate. As such I’m thrilled to come across your post here. That Helen Oktoberfest is in it’s 49th year is really outstanding. Not only does Helen look like an amazing place to visit throughout the year, it’s looks especially inviting during Oktoberfest. The foliage sounds fantastic. I will save your post and try my best to get to Helen this year, but if not definitely next year!
Wonderful – please let me know if I can answer any questions about Helen or the North Georgia Mountains for you as you plan for your trip!
This is one of the longest period of celebration I have ever seen or heard in my entire life and it sounds like fun for me. I would really love to experience this Oktoberfest because of the love I have for German food and eventually they’re would be bear also. I hardly attend festivals or large gatherings like this but with the awesomeness of this colourful festival as described above, I can’t wait to be a part of it. Thanks for this nice article.
The Helen Oktoberfest is definitely a fun event – it’s just started but will continue throughout October so there is still plenty of time to enjoy the festivities!
Hello; Alpine Fun at the Annual Helen “Octoberfest” seems to be very attractive to people from all walks of life. I would like to join in the Fun. Looking at the Cabin image helps me to imagine what fun must be included in the event. I would not mind walking around as much as I can — mostly due to the vehicular traffic.
It would help me to know Helen much better. as also allows me to interact with some local village folks.
Dorcas
Oktoberfest is one of the best times to visit Helen and meet the locals and tourists from all over as well!
Hello,
It’s been some time since I’ve been to an Oktoberfest. I really appreciate the time and effort you’ve put forth here.
I’ll be honest here, I’m not much of a beer guy but I am all about food.
Sadly, this is a bit last-minute for me but I’m seeing what I can find in VRBO and AirBNB and hope to make it work this year. If not, I’ll have to make advanced plans for next year and live vicariously through the live webcam!
Thanks again,
Scott
Hi Scott, the Helen Oktoberfest just kicked off yesterday but continues throughout the month of October. It may be challenging to find lodging in town if you want to stay overnight, but the other nearby towns should still have rooms available. And of course, there is always next year!
WOW this is such an informative article, it has everything we need when planning to go for such a big festivity. Now I wish I live in the US.
Personally I think the Alpine countries are just magnificent, in fact Germany and Switzerland are my dream countries, not only do they have awesome food and beer, their abundant history and culture are absolutely fascinating. I hope one day I can visit those countries and have the real experience of their festivities!
Thanks for sharing this and keep up the great work!
The alpine countries are certainly beautiful — it’s fun that we get to have a little slice of them in the states with the town of Helen and the annual Oktoberfest!
I had no idea that Helen has one of the oldest October Fests in the world. I was surprised to read that it runs for such a long time. We have one in our city, but it only runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October once a year. I never go because it is just too crowded, and I think that if they had to run it for a bit longer, then everyone could go at their leisure and it wouldn’t get so crowded that it becomes uncomfortable.
This one looks like the one to attend if you are in that part of the world though. I love that the people even dress the part. You have been a great help to find both costumes and accommodation for the event for those of us who would love to try out this novel experience.
Hi Michel, I hope you are able to attend at some point. It is a fun event to get wrapped up in with food, drink, and costumes!
Wow! This site has it all and it is put in a fun “gotta go there” format. So much to see and do. And all the details are there. No one should have a problem finding the info they want to be aware of what is available and how to prepare. Even the weather report is on the page! Whether it is accommodations or food or what is in the area, I found it all on this site! Great job. I wanna go!
Thanks Jack – I hope you find a way to make it to Helen and enjoy all the fun and spirit of the annual Oktoberfest!
There are so many to choose from on the kind and type of restaurants. The first thing to know is food. Is it delicious and since we are on the physical atraction I listed down ut i will you which one I want. Milton Park at Lake Burton I like the farm to table concept a genuinely fresh and organic dishes on my table with a priceless view fill the tummy and the soul feasting the eyes and detoxifying my lungs in the fresh air and the soft breeze from the lake
The crisp mountain air is always a great reason for a trip to the Georgia mountains! I hope you enjoy your trip!!
It looks and it sounds fun!
I haven’t been to such festivities in the US but I imagine our celebrations back home which are small time but quite similar, are times where families gather together and go back to be with one another, from wherever they reside now.
The Helen Oktoberfest is one event that my family and I would consider going to sometime.
Thanks for sharing all these important information.
Marita
The Helen Oktoberfest is definitely a great family-friendly event!
7.5 weeks of celebration? That’s amazing! I really enjoyed learning about the Alpine Fun! You presented terrific details about the event – for all of the duration of it! Well done! It’s definitely a great one-stop-shop for those interested in planning their trip to the event! You have literally thought of everything: weather, food, events, transportation, lodging, shopping, maps, etc. I’m impressed with the amount of knowledge in one place!
Here’s to not sweating in lederhosen! 🙂 GREAT POST! I want to attend!
Depending on the time of your trip to Oktoberfest, those lederhosen may be the perfect attire to keep you warm on a cool Autumn day! 🙂
I can only imagine the explosion of people in this quiet little town. The crowds must be HUGE! I just love Oktoberfest and if I lived anywhere near there, wild horses wouldn’t prevent me from going. Your article covers absolutely everything needed for a person or party to have a great time! I especially didn’t know the tying of the dirndl! That is just precious! Thank you for such an excellently worded article!
I agree, the details when wearing the dirndl to an Oktoberfest event seem pretty important, as you want to make sure you’re sending the right signals! 🙂
I’ve been looking into attending Oktoberfest but wasn’t sure of what arrangements could be made. I figured it would be busy so I was thinking about using either public transportation or Uber. I’m pretty surprised that Uber and Lyft don’t officially service Helen especially since this festival is a pretty big deal. But it is nice to know that drivers are willing to drive there. Thanks for the information, I will be saving it and sharing it with my friends who will be attending.
Hi Marlinda, Helen is usually a very small town with restaurants and lodging all within walking distance, so there probably isn’t much of a need for Lyft / Uber during the rest of the year. It definitely gets busy during Oktoberfest though!!
What a fabulous way to celebrate Oktoberfest in the US! Also an excellent excuse to party for the whole almost 2 months if that’s your thing lol! Gosh, that’s a long time to celebrate Oktoberfest, and a great tourist drawcard! Your post gives plenty of warning for the need to book in advance, and provided heaps of valuable info on what to expect. The food looks amazing and I love that Sundays are free, but I bet it’s also the busiest day too. You’ve created a great collation of what to expect as well as showing what is on offer at this time of year in Helen Georgia.
Hi Kat, you are right, Sundays are the busiest day and it’s likely due to the free admission!
Oh this looks like fun and festive! I really want to go there, but unfortunately I have plan at other country in October 🙁 Is this held annually? If so, I want to bring my family to this event next year while visiting our cousin. Oh, we can bring our little Pom and book a pet friendly hotel near the festival. Thank you so much for the information.
Hi Alblue, The Helen Oktoberfest is an annual event that happens in both September and October each year. I hope that you’re able to visit soon!
Howdy – your review of Oktoberfest really sheds light on the subject! It seems like a really fun and festive time..I think it’s something I would enjoy. I absolutely love to see mountains full of color. It’s one of the most pleasing things about nature to me. I live in the northeast so I can plan for this next fall. It’s a little too late now. I’m sure everything’s booked up.
many thanks for this review!
Hi Nathaniel, There are a number of places that are already booked up for Oktoberfest, but also still many great places are available. The leaves should peak a little later in Georgia than they do in the Northeast… with any luck you can see the peak fall colors both at home and a week or 2 later in the Georgia mountains!about:blank#blocked
I had no idea they celebrated ‘In the German Way’ in the US – how long exactly has this been going on?
I actually attended a similar festival in Germany (outside Dortmund) about twenty years ago now, we were over there for a football match and got roped into the whole festival thing…had a great couple of days in the end though (from what I can remember!!).
Haha… I’m sure you remember all the good stuff! Would you believe that the Helen Oktoberfest is having it’s 49th annual event this year?? It’s a long-running popular event!
Thanks for this post. I came across your site because I am headed to Georgia in the Fall to visit some friends and was doing some research as to some fun events that we could all attend while there. This Oktoberfest looks like a lot of fun and really inexpensive. Your information about nearby accommodations was also very helpful. I am definitely going to suggest this event to the group. Thanks again!
Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you all have a wonderful visit to the North Georgia mountains!
What?! Are you telling me that there is an awesome Oktoberfest in Georgia? That is awesome! I went to one when I visited my German friend in Munich it is so much fun but I do not think I can afford to do that again any time soon. I have been celebrating in NYC beer houses, not that bad close enough. I love it that the event runs just like in Germany (IT is called Oktoberfest but they celebrate it in September) This looks like a fun domestic to do. I love it already. Gotta have to tell my husband about it. Thanks for the review! I am so excited.
Hi Nuttanee, Helen’s Oktoberfest is a very popular local event and it’s impossible to not get caught up in the fun spirit! Enjoy!!
Great article and very informative guide to Helen GA Oktoberfest,A friend of mine told me of this and I’ve been longing to experience this great festival,and other friends of mine would be there also,your write-up has opened our eyes to many event concerning this festival,talking of the breakfast,lodge and other necessary information needed to be known,I was told its always fun and interesting.My activities has to be scheduled properly to accommodate this,thanks for sharing.
Your friend told you right — it’s a great time for everyone!
Wow, what perfect timing for me to have read your article! An Oktoberfest in Georgia, U.S.A.?! I was not aware of that and I live in South Carolina. I’ve been to the Smokey Mountain to view the autumn leaves but I did not know there was an annual Oktoberfest so close, and at the same times as the changing leaves. My husband will be happy to go just for the beer and the food!
Thanks so much for all the valuable information regarding the trip. It will be easy to pick out a few days to spend there considering how long the festival is, and with all your useful info, we don’t have to leave anything to chance. Great idea to put the cute German costume on your site. This looks like so much fun…Thanks for sharing!
Sue
Hi Sue, SC is a very close neighbor to Helen (it’s only 35 miles to the SC border), so it’s great that you now know about this fun festival and extra excuse to travel to the mountains for the pretty fall colors!
Any celebration that lasts 7 and a half weeks has to be a good one! Being of half German heritage, this even sounds absolutely amazing! You cannot go wrong with beer, bratwurst, and sauerkraut!
Thank you for including prices as well as the reminder to book lodging within walking distance. This is often an aspect of any festivity that I forget.
I am thinking this may very well be a great vacation and an opportunity to get all dressed up. We tend to get some strange looks when we wear our lederhosen and dirndl dresses! LOL …..
Oktoberfest is defintely a great time to get dressed up — especially if you already have the traditional attire!
Wow this seem like so much fun all in one trip. I’ve been so so many festivals and I still feel something is missing. From your description I’d love to have such experience. I’m glad you gave a detailed information about the festival, the food, clothes, where to stay. This is an opportunity I wouldn’t want to miss out on. I’ll be coming with my family and would inform my friends as well.
Thanks so much for sharing! It’s definitely more fun when you can get a group of friends to all go together. Hopefully you can all find a large cabin to share too! Have a great trip!!
Oh wow! The Oktoberfest in Helen, GA sounds like a lot of fun. I haven’t been to an Oktoberfest event since I lived in Germany. It was a lot of fun. So, I thought that I would try one here in the United States this year.
Based on your suggestions, I think I will try to time it so that I can also enjoy the fall colors. Do the leaves change reliably at the same time every year in Georgia? Or should I wait until towards the end of the Oktoberfest or earlier so that I don’t miss them?
By the way, thanks for the Amazon links that show were to find fun outfits to wear to the fest.
Here in the Southeastern US, the leaves tend to peak later than the mountains in the North. The peak season for the best fall colors in the Helen, GA area is mid to late October (according to https://weather.com/maps/fall-foliage), so you will probably see more vivid colors if you time your trip toward the end of the Helen Oktoberfest.
This is such an informative guide to Helen GA Oktoberfest, and I love it! I always want to join Oktoberfest for a long while. When the time is approaching this year, your article just jumped out from my search on google. And I think it’s time!!!
I have some question about the lodgement for Oktoberfest. I will be glad you could answer all my concerns:
01. I love to stay in Helen Festhalle, is there any tiny pests that I should be prepared for?
02. I love the trachten shirt and wondering is there any options for my dog too?
Love to see your reply, Matt
Hi Matt, Hope this can help with your questions… The Helen Festhalle is an event venue, so you can’t actually “stay” inside it. There are still lots of great places nearby available though! I haven’t heard of any issues with pests, but you can always check the online ratings for each option you’re considering.
I love the idea of getting your dog into the festive spirit!! I just checked and there are some really cute costumes available for dogs! Stay tuned and I’ll include a link to some options for dogs this afternoon. 🙂
Which festival can be full of fun than oktoberfest that is not only kids friendly but also pet friendly. Missing this event is like a carryover course. Unfortunately, my summer holiday has been scheduled to visit mount Georgia before I encounter this review. I will definitely inform my friends about this Oktoberfest if they will have interest in it. This review has given alot of information about their Lodge,breakfast and the traffic palava that might arise as a result of this event. It’s going to be full of fun I guess. I will know how to plan my next summer break.
Hi Stella, This is an annual event and as next year (2020) will be the 50th Helen Oktoberfest, I imagine there might be some extra special events to mark the occasion. It does help to plan early to find the best accomodations, so it’s good that you are thinking ahead and planning in advance. I hope you have a great trip!
Thanks for this informative article, I’ve always wanted to experience the feeling of Gemütlichkeit, the atmosphere of the community ofHelen’s Festhalle which is the prime location for enjoyment of dining and refreshments I also love the shoe slapping dances and Polka music. I’m presently going to make a reservation for semptember because I wouldn’t miss it this time around.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the great polka music and dances during the event! Have a wonderful trip!!
Hi
This festival seems perfect. Thank you for all the program of Oktoberfest. You also provide all the information about groups, food menu, accommodation. The important is that there is a Live WebCam if you want to watch the experience, for those who can,t attend. The prices seem reasonable. Thank you for the very informative topic.
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the information. The price is definitely right… it’s hard to be a FREE event (admission is free each Sunday) that includes music and dancing for the whole family!!
I have heard more than a lot concerning the annual Oktoberfest from my wife. She has been pestering me for some years to attend but due to work and stress we have never had the time to attend but this year my annual leave is coming by September to October so, it would be just perfect to visit this Oktoberfest. I like everything i read about here. Seriously, this is more fun than I thought it would be. Definitely I’m going this year. Thanks
Awesome, the Helen Oktoberfest is sure to be a fun time and a memorable experience for you and your wife! I hope you both have a great time!!
Hi
Thanks for sharing such an amazing and informative post about Alpine Fun At The Annual Helen Oktoberfest with us. By reading your post we have known about such a great festival of the Alpine mountain. The foods and the hool arrangements are really Awesome of Oktoberfest. This festival is also very colourful and attractive. It drew my attention and I will definitely go there with my friends and family.
Thanks again. I’ll share this post with my friends and family so that they also can get this amazing informations.
Thanks so much for sharing with your family and friends!!
Helen must really be buzzing with this festival. It looks like one that will flourish with music and a great amount of colour. I think I should let my family see this and decide if we want to attend. It’s a very long one I must say with so many actually to get involved in. It’s good that there’s a webcam for those that cannot attend seeing that the city will be sparsely populated.
The Oktoberfest webcam is a great way to enjoy the fun from a distance. It’s a very nice idea for the Helen Festhalle to share that with the world!!
Thank you for this article. It sounds like fun to go to this Festival. I will show my friends this article and maybe we will go as a group. I would like to stay in a nice cabin. Thanks for the heads-up about the traffic, that is good to know. If I can’t make it then maybe I will look at it on the webcam. Thanks for this great article And teaching me about Georgia.
Oktoberfest in Helen is definitely a good time — hopefully your group finds a great cabin for your trip!