
Vienna Oktoberfest will return this Saturday, Oct. 7 (courtesy Vienna Business Association)
Coming on the heels of celebrations in Tysons, Oktoberfest is set for a raucous return to the Town of Vienna this weekend.
Vienna Oktoberfest will take over Church Street for a 14th year from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 7), bringing food, live music, family-friendly activities and, of course, plenty of brews at a beer and wine garden.
This year’s festival will be the biggest one yet, according to the Vienna Business Association, which organizes the annual event.
“We’re maxed out,” VBA Executive Director Peggy James said, noting that the festival is filled up with over 200 registered vendors and 53 sponsors.
The beer and wine garden will feature more local businesses than previous years, with Hawk & Griffin and Norm’s Beer and Wine joining the Caboose Brewing Company and Vienna Vintner. More food and drink options will be available along Church Street and Mill Street NE.
In addition, the festival’s entertainment offerings can be found on a kid’s stage on the Town Green — where there will also be moon bounces, games and other activities — as well as an acoustic stage on Center Street and the main biergarten stage.
Other Vienna Oktoberfest highlights will include a business expo showcase, a vendor marketplatz along Dominion Road NE and an artisan market.
While parking in town will likely be scarce, a free shuttle bus will travel throughout the festival to the Vienna Metro station and James Madison High School.
A full list of vendors, food and drink offerings and entertainers can be found on the Vienna Oktoberfest website.
Drawing an average of 20,000-30,000 attendees per year, the festival serves as the main fundraiser for the VBA Foundation, the association’s philanthropic arm that supports charity and community servicee organizations in the greater Vienna area.
“We’re really excited about it,” James said. “It’s the same footprint, just bigger.”