There’s no shortage of Oktoberfest celebrations around Melbourne, but Hofbräuhaus has been doing it for a while. The Chinatown institution is celebrating its 58th Oktoberfest this year, with more than six weeks of Bavarian beer, food, live music and traditional festivities running from 19 September to 31 October 2026.
Hofbräuhaus Melbourne has been serving up its take on the traditional Munich celebration since 1968, with this year’s festivities continuing the venue’s long-running Oktoberfest tradition.
The celebrations officially kick off on Saturday 19 September with the legendary Oktoberfest Opening Party. The afternoon starts with the Stein Carrying Competition at around 2pm, before the traditional Oktoberfest keg is tapped at 3:30pm, followed by free beer for everyone in the restaurant.
The opening party will also see the crowning of the next Duke or Duchess of Hofbräuhaus, with the winner receiving a $300 voucher and a ceramic stein that will be refilled with beer on every visit until next year’s Oktoberfest.
Come evening, a special German Oktoberfest band takes over from 6:30pm, with live music, competitions, German food and plenty of Bier rounding out the festivities.
The party doesn’t stop after opening weekend. Throughout the Oktoberfest period, the Hofbräuhaus Haus Band will perform from Thursday to Sunday, with Saturday daytime sessions kicking off from 12:30pm. Selected event nights will also feature a special German Oktoberfest band, complete with traditional German music, yodelling and Oktoberfest classics.
There’s plenty for the crowd to get involved with, too. Traditional competitions including Stein Holding, Yodeling and Nailing will run from Thursday to Sunday, with competition winners in the running for free beer for an entire year at Hofbräuhaus.
Naturally, the beer is a major part of the equation. A special Oktoberfest Bier imported directly from Germany will join Hofbräuhaus’ existing selection of 16 premium imported German beers, while an authentic Oktoberfest menu will serve up Bavarian comfort food throughout the celebrations.
There’s even an excuse to turn your birthday into an Oktoberfest occasion. The venue’s OktoBIRTHfest promotion includes a free stein of Bier and a round of Schnaps for the birthday person’s group, with advance booking required and terms and conditions applying.
The 58th celebrations will come to a close on Saturday 31 October, with the Oktoberfest Closing Party running from 12pm. Expect Stein Holding competitions, live music, entertainment and one final day of Bavarian festivities, with more surprises still to be announced.
For a venue that’s been celebrating Oktoberfest for 58 years, Hofbräuhaus Melbourne clearly isn’t taking the occasion lightly. Bring a group, grab a stein and settle in for a very Bavarian stretch of spring in the city.
Event Details
What: Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest 2026
When: 19 September – 31 October 2026
Where: Hofbräuhaus Melbourne, Chinatown
Opening Party: Saturday 19 September, from 2pm
Closing Party: Saturday 31 October, from 12pm
