2026 Fall Festivals & Oktoberfests in The Brainerd Lakes Area
Crisp air, colorful leaves and a packed calendar of fall fun make autumn one of the best times to visit the Brainerd Lakes Area. From lively Oktoberfest celebrations and local brews to fall festivals filled with live music, seasonal food, family activities and small-town traditions, there’s plenty to experience throughout the region.
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Raise a stein and celebrate Oktoberfest in the Brainerd Lakes Area! From German-inspired food and seasonal brews to live music, contests and plenty of fall fun, local Oktoberfest celebrations bring a taste of Bavaria to Minnesota’s lake country. Prost!
Jacktoberfest | September 26, 2026
Jack Pine Brewery - Baxter, MN
Raise a stein and celebrate Oktoberfest at Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter with craft beer, live entertainment, food and plenty of fall festivities.
Okbobberfest | September 26, 2026
South Trailside Park - Pequot Lakes, MN
Celebrate the first annual Okbobberfest at South Trailside Park in Pequot Lakes! This new fall celebration features live music from Norman’s Bait & Tackle and Third Wheel, beer and food vendors, a stein-hoisting contest, kids’ activities, adult games, a 50/50 raffle and plenty of Oktoberfest fun from noon–9 PM.
Gull Lake Oktoberfest | October 3, 2026
Gull Lake, MN
Hop aboard the shuttle for the 15th Annual Gull Lake Oktoberfest and make your way around seven Gull Lake destinations for German beer samples, sausage, live music, food and festive fun, all while supporting local charities.
Lakestoberfest | October 3, 2026
Lakes Tavern - Pequot Lakes, MN
Head to Lakes Tavern in Pequot Lakes for an afternoon of live music, food and drink specials, featuring performances by PK Mayo and Wyld Ryce from 1–8 PM.
Crosslake Oktoberfest | October 16–17, 2026
Crosslake, MN
Experience the spirit of Bavaria in the Minnesota Northwoods at Crosslake’s first Oktoberfest, featuring live music, food and drinks, wiener dog races, a costume contest, stein-holding competition, family activities and festivities at 17 local stops throughout Crosslake.
Ruttger’s Oktoberfest | October 16–18, 2026
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort - Deerwood, MN
Celebrate a longtime fall tradition at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort with German food, entertainment and seasonal festivities, including the 40th Annual Oktoberfest Arts & Crafts Show. Ruttger’s currently lists the overall weekend as October 16–18, with Oktoberfest festivities and the Arts & Crafts Show scheduled for October 16–17.
Axetoberfest | October 17, 2026
Big Axe Brewing Co. - Nisswa, MN
We’ll have amazing traditional German food, beer, games and music with the Elk River German Band Performing from 2-6PM by the Mural Make your plans to stop by and enjoy a fantastic day of food beer and fun!
Fall Festivals & Seasonal Events
Celebrate sweater weather, changing leaves and classic fall traditions throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area. From community festivals and pumpkin-filled family activities to live music, outdoor adventures and seasonal food, there are plenty of ways to make the most of fall in Minnesota’s lake country.
Crosslake Days | September 24–26, 2026
Crosslake, MN
Crosslake Days returns September 24–26, bringing three days of classic Up North fall fun to Crosslake. Highlights include the Lost Chili Pepper Hunt, arts and crafts fairs, Chili Cook-Off, live music, cornhole, family activities, the Cider & Candlelight Tour and Saturday night’s Crosslake Street Dance. Saturday is packed with events throughout town, making it one of Crosslake’s biggest fall weekends.
Great Pumpkin Festival | October 3, 2026
Memorial Park - Brainerd, MN
Celebrate fall with an afternoon of family fun at Brainerd’s Memorial Park! Enjoy classic games and races, pumpkin activities, contests, food, vendors and plenty of seasonal fun for all ages.
Mount Ski Gull Fall into Winter Fundraiser | October 11, 2026
Mount Ski Gull - Nisswa, MN
Mount Ski Gull’s Fall into Winter Fundraiser returns Sunday, October 11, from 4–8 PM. The evening includes a catered meal from Sunshine Summerhouse, live music by Ted Feyder, sunset chairlift rides, photos, an online silent auction and the 7th Annual Pumpkin Race. Proceeds support Mount Ski Gull’s youth ski and snowboard programs, family scholarships and the future of skiing and riding in the region.
Northwoods Fall Festival | October 16–18, 2026
Breezy Point Resort - Breezy Point, MN
Celebrate MEA weekend at Breezy Point Resort with a weekend of fall fun! Enjoy horse-drawn hayrides, face painting, a candy crawl and costume contest, the Golden Pumpkin Hunt, pumpkin painting and crafts, live music, bonfires and s’mores, lawn games, fall photo opportunities and more.
Chilly Challenge at Madden's Pine Beach West | October 17, 2026 - 9 aM-5 PM
Madden's on Gull Lake - pine Beach West - Brainerd, MN
Think “Superintendent’s Revenge”—the golf course team gets creative with diabolical hole locations, unexpected tee boxes, and course setups you won’t see during a typical round. Add crisp fall weather, a 4-person scramble, and a warm bowl of chili, and you have one of the most fun ways to close out the golf season.
Oktoberfest Dinner Cruise | October 17, 2026 - 6-10 PM
Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake - Brainerd, MN
Celebrate Oktoberfest on Gull Lake with a scenic two-hour fall cruise featuring colorful autumn views, warm pretzels, bratwurst bites and a complimentary Oktoberfest pint for adults. Gather your friends and family for a relaxing afternoon on the water filled with seasonal flavors and festive fun!
Grand Brewfest Weekend | November 20–22, 2026
Grand View Lodge - Nisswa, MN
Don’t miss Grand Brewfest Weekend at Grand View Lodge in November. This annual celebration of Minnesota’s craft beer scene includes a beer run/walk, brewery experiences, culinary events and the Grand Tasting featuring a wide range of Minnesota brews.
FEELING SPOOKY?
From haunted attractions and trick-or-treating to festive events for all ages, there’s plenty of Halloween fun waiting in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Check out our roundup of Halloween activities and start planning your spooky season Up North.
PLAN YOUR PERFECT FALL WEEKEND
With colorful scenery, fall festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations and plenty to explore between events, fall is a great time to plan a getaway to the Brainerd Lakes Area. Visiting over
MEA weekend? Make it a family fall escape and check out our latest lodging availability to find a place to stay.
