The city of Gaithersburg’s annual celebration of Oktoberfest returns on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m, offering traditional foods, Bavarian entertainment, and fall activities for both kids and adults to enjoy. Admission is free.
The festival takes place in Kentlands around the Arts Barn, Kentlands Mansion, Kentlands Village Green and along Main Street and Market Square.
The 2021 event was canceled after previously large crowds of over 20,000 people drew concerns around the rising Delta COVID-19 variant cases in Montgomery County.
The reopening will include classic performances by the Alte Kameraden German Band and Alt-Washingtonia Bavarian Dancers. Families can go for professional pumpkin carving and apple cider pressing demonstrations, fun inflatables, hands-on crafts, pumpkin and face painting, balloon twisting, bubbles, and strolling entertainers.
Festival-goers can enjoy selections from local microbreweries including beer, mead and cider, explore a string of restaurants within the Kentlands area, and stroll through the business expo.
Street closures in certain areas will go into effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kentlands area.
Free satellite parking is available at 101 Orchard Ridge Drive, just off of Quince Orchard Road. A free wheelchair accessible shuttle service will run regularly during festival hours to and from the satellite parking lot.
According to the city, no unauthorized alcoholic beverages, scooters, skateboards, roller blades, bicycles, or weapons, real or facsimile, are permitted at the festival. Licensed and leashed pets are permitted but not encouraged due to large crowds and noisy environments.
