Live Music, Dancing & Waterfront Fun: Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™ Returns for Three Days of Celebration September 18–20, 2026
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Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™ 2026 Brings Three Days of German-Inspired Fun to the Waterfront
Fall is getting a distinctly German twist on the Des Moines waterfront as Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™ 2026 returns to Quarterdeck for three days of live music, dancing, contests, family-friendly activities, German-inspired food and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit.
The celebration begins Friday, September 18, with the inaugural Prost! The OktoberCrawl™, followed by a full weekend of entertainment at Quarterdeck on Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20.
🍺 Prost! The OktoberCrawl™ Kicks Things Off
The festivities begin Friday at 5 p.m. at Quarterdeck with Prost! The OktoberCrawl™, a new, limited-capacity experience bringing the Oktoberfest spirit into downtown Des Moines.
Guests are encouraged to don their lederhosen and dirndls and join a curated 4–5-hour walking experience through the Marina District. Four participating restaurants will offer German beer pairings, Oktoberfest-inspired bites and special creations, giving guests a chance to explore local businesses while celebrating the season.
The experience includes themed food and beer pairings, costume contests, social-media photo opportunities, and voting for Best Bite, Best Beer and Best Dressed.
“Our goal is to bring the Oktoberfest spirit out into the streets, combining great food, local businesses, and community fun,” said Bettina Carey, Producer of Prost! The OktoberCrawl™. “This is about supporting our local restaurants while extending the Oktoberfest spirit throughout the Marina District.
The OktoberCrawl™ adds a boutique, curated experience for the community and visitors alike.”
Tickets are limited to create a more intimate, curated experience.
Ticket pricing:
First 75 tickets: $58
Through September 17: $68
At the door: $78
Ticket prices include 20% tip and tax.
Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, bring their appetite and get ready to explore the Marina District one stop at a time.
🎶 Oktoberfest Weekend at Quarterdeck
Following Friday night’s OktoberCrawl™, the celebration continues Saturday and Sunday with live music, dancing, contests and entertainment on the Quarterdeck stage.
Whether you’re ready to dance, sing along, compete in an Oktoberfest contest or simply enjoy the waterfront atmosphere with friends and family, there’s something for everyone.
Visitors can expect:
🏆 Oktoberfest competitions, including the always-popular Chicken Dance Contest
🥨 German-inspired food, including pretzels on a stick, schnitzel and more
🎨 Kid-friendly activities and crafts, including face painting
🎶 Live entertainment and dancing
🍻 Local brews and waterfront vibes
👒 Raffles and promotional items benefiting Lighthouse NW
And, of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to embrace the spirit of Oktoberfest—whether that means dressing up in traditional German attire, learning the Chicken Dance for the first time or simply gathering with neighbors for a festive fall weekend.
🍂 Make It a Weekend in Des Moines
With three days of music, food, dancing, contests and waterfront entertainment, Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™ 2026 offers an easy way to turn a September weekend into a local fall getaway without leaving the South Sound.
Come for the music. Stay for the schnitzel. Dance the Chicken Dance. Raise a stein with friends. Bring the kids. Support local businesses. And celebrate the season on the Des Moines waterfront.
Whether you’re a lifelong polka pro, a first-time Oktoberfest guest or simply looking for a fun fall outing with family and friends, Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™ 2026 is ready to welcome you.
Prost!
📍 Event Information
Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™ 2026
Friday, September 18: Prost! The OktoberCrawl™ — begins at 5 p.m. at Quarterdeck
Learn more: Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™
Saturday & Sunday, September 19–20: Oktoberfest celebration and live entertainment at Quarterdeck
🎶 The Sound of Oktoberfest: Polka & Bavarian Bands Take the Stage
The music takes center stage at Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest™ 2026, with three performances bringing traditional polka and Bavarian sounds to the waterfront throughout the weekend.
🎺 Saturday: Ted Lunka Polka Band
The weekend’s live music lineup kicks off Saturday, September 19, at 1:30 p.m. with the Ted Lunka Polka Band.
Known for spirited performances and upbeat polka rhythms, the band brings the classic energy of Oktoberfest to the Quarterdeck stage. Expect traditional polka favorites, infectious rhythms and plenty of music to get guests out of their seats and onto the dance floor.
🪗 Sunday: Bonnie Birch Bavarian Band
On Sunday, September 20, at 1:30 p.m., the Bonnie Birch Bavarian Band takes the stage with a lively mix of authentic Bavarian melodies and dance-ready favorites.
Led by Bonnie Birch on accordion, the trio features accordion, guitar and tuba, creating the distinctive sound of a traditional Bavarian celebration. From folk tunes to upbeat dance numbers, their performance promises to bring plenty of Oktoberfest character to a waterfront Sunday afternoon.
🍺 Sunday Finale: Bean’s Beer & Brat Polka Band
The weekend’s musical celebration reaches its finale at 4:30 p.m. Sunday when Bean’s Beer & Brat Polka Band takes over the stage.
Led by accordionist Jakob Bean, the high-energy group performs Bavarian, Slovenian and American polkas, mixing fast-paced numbers with sing-along classics and plenty of crowd interaction. It’s the kind of performance designed to keep the dance floor moving until the final note.
With three distinctly different performances across Saturday and Sunday, there will be plenty of opportunities to hear live polka, experience Bavarian musical traditions and dance along on the Des Moines waterfront.
Bring your dancing shoes—and come hungry for brats, schnitzel and pretzels.
Prost! 🇩🇪🥨🎶
