Oktoberfests 2011 in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

A few communities in the Washington, DC area hold Oktoberfests, a local version of the famous fall festival held each year in Munich, Germany. The Oktoberfest is a family fun event focused on German beer, food, music and dancing. Here is the schedule of Oktoberfests in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. (In order by date)

Blob's Park Oktoberfest
September 17-October 29, 2011. 8024 Max Blob's Park Rd. Jessup, Maryland. Known for America's first Oktoberfest! Band starts at 7 pm. Great family fun with good food and friends. $10 admission.

Biergarten Haus Oktoberfest
September 18 - October 2011. 1355 H St NE Washington, DC. The Bavarian pub offers their regular 12 drafts and 11 additional Oktoberfest drafts, food and live music.

Oktoberfest at Fort Meade
September 22-25, 2011. Fort Meade Pavilion, Llewellyn Ave. Fort Meade, Maryland. Celebrate the German Harvest with a carnival and midway, culinary demonstrations, German and international food, travel bureau, live German bands, and more. Admission is free.

Lovettsville's Oktoberfest
September 23-25, 2011. In celebration of the town's German heritage, the community in Loudoun County, Virginia celebrates Oktoberfest with food, crafts, and entertainment.

Das Best Oktoberfest
September 24-25, 2011, noon to 6 p.m. National Harbor, MD. The outdoor festival will include over 100 unique beers, German wines and schnapps, German foods and other festival goodies, Oompah bands, live music, contests and much more. Admission: $25, Children ages 12 and under are free.

Oktoberfest at Henderson Hall
September 30-October 1, 2011. 11:30 a.m.-5:30 pm. The event features authentic German food and beverages, family-friendly activities and contests, music, beer and wine tastings and more. It is free and open to all Department of Defense ID card holders and their guests.

Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest
October 1-2, 2011. Located off of Rt. 1 in Fairfax County, Virginia, The annual festival, open to the general public, includes authentic German food and beer, carnival rides, live entertainment, kids activities and more.

Frederick Oktoberfest
October 1-2, 2011, Saturday: 11 – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 – 8 p.m. Frederick Fairgrounds, East Patrick St., Frederick, Maryland. Huge Oktoberfest with live music, kid's games, German foods, Biergarten and family fun. Admission: $5, Children ages 2 and under are free.

Germantown Oktoberfest
October 1, 2011, 11 a.m. to dark. Ridge Road Park, Germantown, Maryland. The festival includes live music, kid's games, German foods, Biergarten and family fun.

Oktoberfest at Capitol City Brewing Company
October 8, 2011, 12-7 p.m. Shirlington Village, Arlington, Virginia. Sample more than 60 beers and a variety of foods, while enjoying lively German entertainment. Admission: $25. Shirlington library will host kid’s events.

Oktoberfest Reston
October 7-9, 2011, 3-11 p.m. Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston, Virginia. Sample the best in fall brews and traditional Oktoberfest fare provided by some of Reston's finest eateries. Live entertainment.

Oktoberfest at the Kentlands
October 9, 2011, noon – 4 p.m. Kentlands Village Green, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The City of Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Citizens Assembly sponsor this family friendly Oktoberfest featuring Bavarian music, dance, food, crafts, pony rides, moonbounces, pumpkin decorating, face painting and more.

Oktoberfest at Kings Dominion
October 9, 2011, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy a full day at Kings Dominion, Halloween Haunt, an All-You-Can-Eat picnic meal with German Specialty Items, Souvenir Event Cup and Live Entertainment by the SGTEV Hirschjäger Bavarian Dancers.

Oktobeerfest at Rustico
October 15, 2011, 12-5 p.m. 827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria Virginia. The Alexandria block party will feature an impressive lineup of 50 domestic and international craft beers – all on draft, Germanic tastes and revelry for all with music, a wine and bubbly garden, and family-friendly activities.

Charles County Oktoberfest
October 22 and 23, 2011, Saturday Noon–7 p.m., Sunday Noon – 5 p.m. Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairgrounds Rd. La Plata, MD. The family friendly event features German foods, beer, wine, music, children's activities, and live Bavarian entertainment.