Get ready to be transported to a Bavarian village and experience accordion-led polka dancing, a feast of schnitzel and frothy beer, and incredible musical performances at this year’s Oktoberfest, held in Kitchener-Waterloo (KW) from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19.

Inspired by the traditional celebrations in Munich, the festival is celebrating its 56^th year in KW and we will be offering special GO Train service along the Kitchener Line on Oct. 12 and Oct. 14 to get you there.

Musical guests and entertainment

You can look forward to exciting headliners at this year’s celebration of German culture that will be sure to get you on your feet.

Bingeman’s KoolHaus event includes musical entertainment and performances from many iconic Canadian groups. Simple Plan, a pop-punk band from Montreal, is kicking off opening weekend with performances at Ludwig’s Loft and Jagermeister lounge on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Attendees can also enjoy Saskatoon’s rock band, The Sheepdogs, on Friday, Oct. 4 and Canadian country duo, The Reklaws, on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the same venue.

Closing out the festivities is a musical performance from the hit German group Dorfrocker, with special guest the Golden Keys, on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Eats and treats

Whether you are looking for authentic German dishes like schnitzel, bratwurst, and pretzels, or more creative culinary twists, this Oktoberfest has everything you are craving with local restaurants, vendors and food trucks all embracing the Bavarian spirit.

Check out these food and beverage spots:

• Visit the Huberthaus, one of the five authentic German clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo, for authentic rollerbraten with homemade spaetzle, schnitzel with potato salad or the iconic Oktoberfest sausage on a bun with sauerkraut
• If you are looking for a sit-down dining experience, visit The Schenke for popular menu items like goulash soup, pork hock and fish and chips
• Savour traditional dishes at Bingeman’s Bavarian Feast, from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, including authentic German sausage, spaetzle and craft beer. Tickets for this feast also provide access to the “Kool Haus Biergarten,” an outdoor party with live entertainment.

Fun for all ages

There are also plenty of family-friendly activities at this year’s Oktoberfest.

From Oct. 11 to Oct. 13, you can take your little ones to KIDtoberfest in the Kitchener City Hall Rotunda downtown and enjoy traditional music and dancing, robotics shows, and performances by family favourites that are free for all!

No need to leave your furry friends at home during this year’s events with DOGtoberfest, a free event taking place on Oct. 12 from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Gaukel Block in downtown Kitchener. Dogs and their owners are invited to take part in trick training advice, pack walks and contests.

The popular Thanksgiving parade will also be returning with new floats, inflatables and bands. The parade will kick off at 9:30a.m. on Oct. 14, at the corner of Weber Street East and Frederick Street, and will wrap up at noon. Tickets for bleacher seating are available for purchase at this year’s parade, and you can non-perishable food items in support of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

GOing to Oktoberfest

We’re increasing service on the Kitchener Line on Saturday, Oct. 12, Monday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 20 to make it even easier for everyone to attend this year’s festivities.

Special Kitchener Line trains on Saturday, Oct. 12:  

• 10:05 a.m. and 10:05 p.m. eastbound train trips departing Kitchener GO, arriving at Union Station at 11:49 a.m. and 11:49 p.m.
• 12:38 p.m. and 7:38 p.m. westbound train trips departing Union Station, arriving at Kitchener GO at 2:26 p.m. and 9:26 p.m.
• These trips will not stop at Etobicoke GO

Special Kitchener Line trains on Monday, Oct. 14:

• On Monday, Oct. 14. GO Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule.
• 11:05 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. eastbound train trips departing Kitchener GO, arriving at Union Station at 12:49 p.m. and 5:49 p.m.
• 1:38 p.m. and 6:38 p.m. westbound train trips departing Union Station, arriving at Kitchener GO at 3:26 p.m. and 8:26 p.m.
• These trips will not stop at Etobicoke GO

This fall, GO Transit has partnered with Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest to provide customers with a round-trip combo ticket option to get to and from the event. You can purchase the $24.99 round-trip combo ticket on the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest website.

We look forward to bringing you to Canada’s largest Oktoberfest!