📰BIDDEFORD | Oktoberfest Returns! | Sept. 26 | More Music, Dancing, Crafts & Fall Festival Fun

By Heart of Biddeford

"This year’s festival will feature an expanded lineup of live and roaming musicians, accordion players, pop-up performances and participatory music and dance, including the chance to learn some steps and join in barn dancing right on Lincoln Street."

September 2, 2026, Heart of Biddeford’s Oktoberfest returns to Lincoln Street on Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon - 6 p.m., bringing back local beer, bratwurst, stein hoisting and other favorites -- while adding more music, performances, dancing, hands-on activities and reasons to spend a fall afternoon downtown.

Now in its fourth year, Oktoberfest is evolving into something a little broader: part Oktoberfest, part fall festival and part beer-hall-adjacent block party.

“We’ve learned that people come to Oktoberfest for all kinds of reasons,” said Heart of Biddeford Executive Director Delilah Poupore. “Some love having a local beer out on the street with friends. Some may have been training all year for the stein hoisting! Others are here for the pretzels and bratwurst, the dog costume parade, or just a really fun Saturday afternoon. This year, we wanted to give everyone even more to discover and participate in.”

This year’s festival will feature an expanded lineup of live and roaming musicians, accordion players, pop-up performances and participatory music and dance, including the chance to learn some steps and join in barn dancing right on Lincoln Street.

Festival-goers can also get creative, with interactive activities like adding some bling to an Alpine hat and personalizing a beer stein, along with games including inflatable axe throwing.

Returning favorites include the always-competitive stein-hoisting contest and the Barktoberfest Costume Parade, where dogs and their humans are encouraged to embrace their best Oktoberfest, fall or simply silly attire.

Local breweries Brickyard Hollow, Banded Brewing, Lucky Pigeon Brewing will be represented, with breweries pouring their own beers and Nibblesford also serving wine and cider. Dunn Bar will be serving food out of their new food truck and pouring Guinness. A cider press, water stations, and other non-alcoholic beverages will also be available -- especially for those who have purchased the reduced-price, non-drinking tickets.

And festival-goers are encouraged to arrive hungry. Food offerings will range from bratwurst, schnitzel and giant pretzels to wood-fired pizza, grilled cheese, Irish fare, barbecue, vegetarian and gluten-free options, Swiss pastries and chocolate, and Vietnamese-inspired street food. Vendors include Omi’s House, Cheese the Day, Cargo Pizza, Dunn Bar, Edelweiss, BiddoBanh and Plot Twist Pretzel, with additional vendors and artisans filling out the Oktoberfest Makers Market.

“We love the traditions that make Oktoberfest Oktoberfest, but you don’t have to be a beer drinker to have a great time,” Poupore said. “You can grab an enormous pretzel, decorate a hat, listen to an accordion player, dance in the street, watch some very determined people hold heavy steins in the air, and just enjoy being downtown together.”

Heart of Biddeford has also made some less flashy, but important, improvements to the festival experience. This year will include multiple entrances, faster lines, more food choices, shaded seating areas and plenty of portable restrooms, making it easier to settle in and enjoy the afternoon.

A fun afternoon that supports a year of free community events, Oktoberfest is also a fundraiser for Heart of Biddeford, and organizers have worked to keep admission reasonably priced.

Proceeds help HOB provide free community activities throughout the year, including downtown festivals, arts and music programming and other events that bring people together in downtown Biddeford.

Tickets are designed to offer a few different ways to enjoy the day:

• VIP Early Access — $45: Get the first hour of Oktoberfest from noon–1 p.m. with just 100 VIP guests, plus a branded Oktoberfest stein, two drink tickets, an Alpine hat and festival sticker.

• General Admission — $30: Admission from 1–6 p.m., including a branded Oktoberfest stein and two drink tickets.

• Non-Drinker/Under 21 — $10: Admission from 1–6 p.m. to enjoy the food, music, performances, games and activities without alcohol.

• Kids 12 and under, present with adult caregivers, are free.

A limited number of $35 admission tickets will also be available at the gate, and additional drink tickets can be purchased during the festival.

Heart of Biddeford Oktoberfest

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026

VIP: Noon–6 p.m.

General Admission: 1–6 p.m.

Lincoln Street, Downtown Biddeford

Advance tickets and additional entertainment announcements are available at givebutter.com/biddeford-oktoberfest.

Follow Heart of Biddeford on Facebook and Instagram for festival updates.

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