Oktoberfest Expands to the Park as Union Park Tavern & MGV Harmonia Celebrate 9 Years of German Tradition

Kenosha’s favorite fall tradition is back — and this year, it’s bigger, better, FREE to attend, and taking over the neighborhood! Union Park Tavern and MGV Harmonia are proud to present the 9th Annual Oktoberfest, happening Saturday and Sunday, September 20–21, 2025, at Union Park Tavern (4520 8th Ave) and the newly added Union Park (4500 7th Ave).

After nearly a decade of packing the house at the tavern, Oktoberfest is growing — literally — by spilling out into the adjacent park for a weekend full of music, food, games, contests, and community celebration.

“We’ve absolutely loved having Oktoberfest at the tavern every year, but we’ve reached a point where we needed more room — and more ways to celebrate,” said Angie Cook, co-owner of Union Park Tavern. “Expanding into Union Park allows us to create a true festival experience while still keeping the heart of the event right here at home.”

Union Park Tavern remains the central hub, with activities, drinks, and live music happening all weekend inside the bar and out in their Biergarten. The expansion into Union Park turns the event into a full-blown neighborhood party, with room for even more people to raise a stein and enjoy the festivities.

“It’s amazing to see how much this has grown over the years,” added co-owner Ben DeSmidt. “We started Oktoberfest to celebrate German culture and community, and now it’s something people look forward to all year. It means a lot to us — and we love that it helps support MGV Harmonia too.”

MGV Harmonia, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving German American musical traditions, will be serving up authentic German food in the park all day Saturday — with proceeds going directly to support their mission.

Union Park Tavern will also be serving inside the park on Saturday, and back in their Biergarten guests can enjoy a pig roast courtesy of Sherwood Forest Meat Market.

On Saturday in the park, try your hand at the classic Hammerschlagen game, then stick around for 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 always-adorable Dachshund Dash. To top it all off, Public Brewing Company will be debuting a special UPT Oktoberfest brew, served both at the bar and throughout the park.

The weekend kicks off Saturday morning with Oktoberfest brunch and drinks at the tavern at 9 AM, followed by official park festivities starting at 1 PM. The schedule includes:

The Ceremonial Keg Tapping in the Union Park Tavern biergarten at 1PM
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.

Live performances happening both on the Main Stage and in the UPT Biergarten.

Thanks to the support of Jerry Smith Farm and Ron’s Place, the Main Stage will feature a variety of crowd-pleasing acts, including Hungry 5 and Friends, Blue Moon Posse, Union Park Kickerz, and a special performance by MGV Harmonia, bringing the rich sounds of German tradition to life.

For a more intimate vibe, head out back to the UPT Biergarten, where Floral Gin will be serving up some gritty rock vibes to shake up the pace. It’s the perfect spot to kick back with a stein in hand and soak in one of the best Biergartens in the area.

The always-popular Dachshund Dash, Stein Hoisting Contest, and Miss Oktoberfest Contest
Register For FREE Here: Dachshund Sign-up • Stein Hoisting sign-up • Miss Oktoberfest sign-up

Throughout the day, guests can enjoy a small vendor market in the park on Saturday, where local artists, makers, and businesses will offer everything from handmade crafts to Oktoberfest gear. Highlights include live caricature art, vintage finds, unique gifts, and more.

Families can enjoy the Kid’s Zone featuring a bounce house, face painting, and fun treats. For the adventurous, there’s mobile axe throwing by Hold My Beer, and Fizzy Bizz will be on-site serving up their signature sodas with a twist — a fizzy, fun refreshment for kids and adults alike.

Note: Union Park closes at 9 PM on Saturday, September 20th, but Oktoberfest continues indoors at Union Park Tavern with live music by Pieptone! and more festivities until bar close.

Sunday’s event offers a more relaxed vibe, featuring a traditional German breakfast (9 AM – 2 PM) in the park. (You can purchase your tickets at UPT now) Kenosha Art Market (10 AM – 2 PM), cultural performances, and continued fun back at the tavern all day long.

Presented in partnership with Visit Kenosha and the Kenosha Art Market, Oktoberfest is free to attend and open to all. Whether you’re here for the beer, the bratwurst, the music, or the memories — this is a community celebration you won’t want to miss.

So grab your friends, put on your lederhosen, and join us as we raise a stein to 9 years of Union Park Tavern’s Oktoberfest—and many more to come! Follow the event page on Facebook and share to spread the Oktoberfest cheer!

Get you Union Park Tavern Oktoberfest t-shirts courtesy of The Lettering Machine ORDER HERE

For the full list of the Union Park Tavern Oktoberfest activities and events CLICK HERE 

Prost, Kenosha!