Union Park Tavern Oktoberfest w/ MGV Harmonia

Union Park Tavern & MGV Harmonia’s 9th Annual Oktoberfest

Location: Union Park (4500 7th Ave) & Union Park Tavern (4520 8th Ave)
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, September 20–21, 2025

Facebook Event Page: Click Here

Union Park Tavern & MGV Harmonia’s 9th Annual Oktoberfest is back—bigger, better, and now spilling into Union Park!

Celebrate two days of German-inspired fun with live polka, local bands, cultural performances, great food, and plenty of beer. Enjoy crowd favorites like the inaugural UPT Pretzel, Brat & Beer Oktoberfest Challenge presented by Public Brewing Company, Stein Hoisting contests, the crowning of Miss Oktoberfest, and the ever-charming Dachshund Dash. Plus, Public Brewing Company will be debuting a special UPT Oktoberfest brew, available both at the bar and throughout the park.

Shop the vendor market, explore interactive art, toss axes, and bring the kids for bounce house fun. Sunday kicks off with a traditional German breakfast, music, and dance—plus the Kenosha Art Market.

Presented with Visit Kenosha and the Kenosha Art Market, this festive weekend supports MGV Harmonia’s mission to keep German American musical traditions alive.

Prost to Kenosha, culture, and community!

Saturday, September 20

Union Park Tavern Hours: 9 AM – Close
Union Park (The Park) Hours: 1 PM – 9 PM

Morning Kickoff at the Tavern

• 9:00 AM – Union Park Tavern opens with brunch and drinks an early pre Oktoberfest preview.

Park Festivities Begin

• 1:00 PM – Oktoberfest officially begins in Union Park
• 1:00 PM – Ceremonial Keg Tapping in the Union Park Tavern Biergarten 
  This year’s keg tapping highlights the 175th anniversary of Kenosha and the emerald anniversary of our sister-city connection with Wolfenbüttel, Germany. Mayor David Bogdala will host the ceremony in the Union Park Tavern biergarten, joined via live stream by Mayor Ivica Lukanic and members of the Wolfenbüttel sister-city group, linking Kenosha’s celebration to the opening of Oktoberfest in Germany just hours earlier. Sponsored by Total Cyclery
• 1:15 PM – Live music by Hungry 5 and Friends on the main stage in the park sponsored by Jerry Smith Farm & Ron’s Place
• 1:30 PM – Pig Roast begins and photo ops with the pig. (sponsored by Sherwood Forest Meat Market in the UPT Biergarten)
  

Contests, Music & Entertainment

• 2:00 PM – Stein Hoisting Contest Presented by Hold My Beer in the UPT Biergarten
  Register here
• 2:30 PM – MGV Harmonia performance on the main stage in the park sponsored by Jerry Smith Farm & Ron’s Place
• 2:30 PM – Floral Gin (Set 1) live in the UPT Biergarten sponsored by Total Cyclery
• 3 PM – 5 PM – Tillie the Kenosha Police K9 will be on site in Union Park
• 3:15 PM – The Inaugural UPT Pretzel, Brat & Beer Oktoberfest Challenge Presented by Public Brewing Company on the main stage in the park
• 4:00 PM – Union Park Kickerz, polka performance on the main stage in the park sponsored by Jerry Smith Farm & Ron’s Place
• 5:00 PM – Dachshund Dash Presented by Captain Mike’s on 8th Avenue in front of the Tavern
  Register here
• 5:15 PM – Floral Gin (Set 2) live in the UPT Biergarten sponsored by Total Cyclery
• 6:00 PM – Blue Moon Posse (Set 1) on the Main Stage sponsored by Jerry Smith Farm & Ron’s Place
• 6:00 PM – Woman in Motion performance on 8th Avenue
• 7:00 PM – Miss Oktoberfest Contest Presented by Francesca & Co. Salon on the Main Stage sponsored by Jerry Smith Farm & Ron’s Place – Register here

• 8:00 PM – Blue Moon Posse (Set 2) on the main stage in the park sponsored by Jerry Smith Farm & Ron’s Place
• 9:00 PM – 50/50 Raffle Winner announced on the main stage in the park sponsored by Jerry Smith Farm & Ron’s Place

Note: Union Park closes at 9 PM, but Oktoberfest continues indoors at Union Park Tavern with live music by Pieptone! and more festivities until bar close.

Activities Throughout the Park (Saturday)

• Hammerschlagen (sponsored by Millhouse Auto Body)
• Mobile Axe Throwing (by Hold My Beer)
• MGV Harmonia serving German food through out the day
• Kid’s Zone (sponsored by Em’s Dance Center), featuring:
  • Bounce House
  • Face Painting
  • Fizzy Bizz
  • And more family fun

Vendor Market (Saturday)

Browse and shop a variety of local vendors, artists, and makers.
Partial list includes:

• The Drawing Room (caricature art)
• Chet Griffith & Janette Hill: Community Art Project for all ages + Original art
• Southport Tea
• AHDIDIT
• Renewal by Andersen
• Vintage Underground
• Flip This Flip That Resale & Collectibles
• Golden Touch
• Little Miracles
• Maxilyn House
• A Little Bit Of All Of It
• Em’s Dance Center
• Jackson’s Candy Stand
• T-Fiber
• Additional vendors to be announced

Also available:
The Lettering Machine will be in the UPT Biergarten pressing Oktoberfest UPT t-shirts for purchase.
Can’t wait? Then order yours NOW! CLICK HERE TO ORDER

Sunday, September 21

Union Park Tavern Hours: 9 AM – Close
Union Park (The Park) Hours: 9 AM – 2 PM
Kenosha Art Market Hours: 10 AM – 2PM

Ease into Sunday with a relaxed cultural morning in the park.

• Traditional German Breakfast in the Park by UPT & MGV Harmonia
• Live performances by MGV Harmonia
• Kenosha Art Market (10 AM – 2 PM)
• Stage entertainment and dance numbers by Em’s Dance Center (times TBA)
• Union Park Tavern open all day with drinks and continued German-themed fun

Presented By:

Union Park Tavern • MGV Harmonia

Event Sponsors:

Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm • Ron’s Place •  About Time Moving Systems • T-Fiber • Kenosha News • Amplified Wisconsin • Millhouse Auto Body • Em’s Dance Center • Southport Tea • Casey Family Options • Law Office of Frank J Parise • Shannyn Franklin of RE/MAX Elite • Captain Mike’s • Renewal by Anderson • Francesca & Co. Salon • Total Cyclery • Faded Barbershop for Men • Vintage Underground • Sherwood Forest Meat Market • Kenosha Art Market • Hold My Beer • The Lettering Machine •  Steve & Terri Schwartz • Midwest Novelty • Public Brewing Company • Jackson’s Candy Stand • Johnson Financial Group • Peacetime Originals • Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association