Octoberfest is Coming to Cumming

If you think Oktoberfest is just an excuse to wear lederhosen and drink a Märzen, you’re only seeing the foam. The festival traces to Munich, 1810, when the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese. The city threw a public party on the fields (the Theresienwiese), anchored by horse races and—eventually—beer tents. Over two centuries, the celebration evolved into a highly ritualized mix of brass bands, communal tables, and seasonally lagered beers designed for serious, sustained drinking. That template spread globally, and communities adapted it to their own foodways, music scenes, and—yes—local breweries.

Forsyth County’s take on Oktoberfest is exactly that: rooted in tradition, delivered with our own flavor. Cumming’s breweries and venues have built reliable, family-friendly programming around September and early October—because here, we do fall well. Below is the smart way to plan yours.

The Big One: Oktoberfest at Cumming City Center

What it is: A free, all-ages afternoon festival that centers the community around food, contests, and (of course) seasonal beer. For 2025, the Cumming City Center has put Oktoberfest on the calendar for Saturday, September 27, 12–5 p.m., with stein-lifting vibes all afternoon. Expect themed games at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater—think pretzel ring toss, sausage toss, and a best German outfit contest—plus German-inspired eats and pours from City Center restaurants. Free admission; you pay for food and beverages.

Why you should care: Central location, easy parking, kid-friendly schedule and activities, and zero gate fee. If you’re looking for the highest “fun per minute” return for families and casual friend groups, this is the anchor event. (If you only do one Oktoberfest outing in Cumming, make it this.)

Pro move: Costumes aren’t mandatory, but the contest exists for a reason. If you’ve been debating that dirndl or a proper pair of lederhosen, this is the day to commit—and yes, sneakers are fine with both.

Brewery-Led Celebrations (Where the Beer Program Shines)

Local brewpubs carry a lot of the cultural weight of Oktoberfest here, and three brands dominate the season: Crooked Culture Brewing, Cherry Street Brewing and NoFo Brew Co. They don’t just pour a token festbier; they build multi-week food and beer programming around it.

Cherry Street Brewing (Vickery Village & Halcyon)

Cherry Street has historically turned September–early October into a rolling celebration across its Vickery Village taproom and its Halcyon location, bundling German brews, themed bites, limited-time steins, and specials. Their event pages and feeds routinely flag multi-day runs—e.g., “September 23–October 5”—with menu callouts like schnitzel, brat & kraut plates, and giant pretzels (and yes, the collectible steins usually kick off early). If you want the most “Munich-ish” table-service experience locally, start here.

What to order: A classic Märzen or Festbier (ask the bar which is pouring; Märzen leans amber/toasty, Festbier is paler and more drinkable by the liter). Pair with schnitzel or a brat-and-kraut plate. You’re here for the caramel malt + crispy pork synergy.

Pro move: Watch Cherry Street’s channels for stein deals (often first beer included) and kitchen features listed by location. The two taprooms don’t always mirror each other, so if a specific dish matters, check the listing before you drive. Facebook

NoFo Brew Co. (Cumming)

NoFo leans into fall with milestone weekends and a house style that’s family-centric and music-friendly. You’ll see “NoFoberfest” language and anniversary tie-ins around late September, with the Cumming taproom front-and-center at 6150 GA-400, Suite A/B. The vibe: open, lively, and built for groups. Expect rotating food partners and live-music energy across the season.

What to order: Whatever fest seasonal is on—ask for their take on a Märzen or an Oktoberfest lager—and build a flight around it. If you’ve got a mixed group (lager fans and IPA die-hards), NoFo’s board will keep everyone happy.

Pro move: Track NoFo’s weekend posts—special drops and anniversary programming tend to stack on Fridays and Saturdays, and popular sets get crowded. Arrive early if you want a table inside during prime hours.

How to Oktoberfest Like a Historian (But Have More Fun)

Let’s put some structure on your weekend so you aren’t wandering between tents and taps:

1. Start with the civic anchor. Hit Cumming City Center on Sept 27 for a free, daytime warm-up: kids can play, adults can sample, everyone gets the photo ops at the amphitheater. Then lock dinner at a participating on-site restaurant doing German specials.

2. Pick a brewery night. Do Cherry Street (Vickery or Halcyon) one evening for sit-down food pairings and steins, and NoFo another for live-music vibes and anniversary-adjacent energy. If you don’t love crowds, target early weeknights; if you live for crowds, Friday and Saturday are your window.

3. Drink the calendar, not just the beer list. Oktoberfest started as a seasonal lager cycle—beer brewed cool in spring, lagered cold, and tapped when the weather breaks. Seek Märzen (richer, amber) early, then Festbier (lighter, highly drinkable) as the season peaks. Ask what’s fresh and what’s a special release; you’ll learn more in one bar chat than in 20 influencer posts.

4. Earn your pretzel. Share a giant pretzel (mustard and cheese both), then split mains. Cumming’s Oktoberfest food programs are built to be modular—snacks for groups, plates for the hungry. If you only do one entrée, do schnitzel. (There’s a reason Bavaria exports it.)

5. Make it teachable. If you’ve got kids, carry a three-minute story: “In 1810, a royal wedding became a city-wide party; over time, beer halls replaced horse races; the beer got lighter as breweries adapted.” You’re not just out for a day—you’re anchoring a memory and a tradition.

Family Guide: What to Bring, What to Skip

• Footwear over fashion. Cobblestone-style paths, amphitheater lawns, and brewery floors punish bad shoe choices. Sneakers > new boots.
• Layers. September heat in Georgia can still hit; evenings can swing cool. Light jacket, breathable shirt.
• Hydration strategy. Yes, water. Also: mix low-ABV pours with NA options. Most venues offer NA seltzer, house-made sodas, or NA beers.
• Stroller reality check. City Center pathways handle strollers well; breweries can be tight during peak hours—go earlier with toddlers.
• Pets. Many outdoor brewery spaces are dog-friendly, but crowded festival hours are hard on anxious pups. Check venue rules the day of.
• Cashless world. Assume cards and tap-to-pay. Bring a backup card if your digital wallet fails mid-line.

Logistics That Actually Matter

• Parking: City Center has on-site and overflow options; arrive on the early side for the Sept 27 festival window. Halcyon and Vickery have structured parking—free but busier during prime dining hours. Give yourself a 10–15 minute buffer to park and walk.

• DD/Ride-share: Don’t overthink it—designate a driver, rotate, or set a hard out. Oktoberfest is built for conviviality; nothing ruins it like a DUI.

• Weather backups: City Center programming is generally rain-or-shine with adjustments; breweries pivot easily indoors. Watch each venue’s socials the morning of for updates.

What to Wear (Without Looking Like a Costume Shop)

• Men: A simple check or solid button-down, suspenders if you must, and darker shorts or jeans. If you own lederhosen, wear them; otherwise, avoid novelty “costume” prints.

• Women: A flowy skirt or dress in fall colors does the job; a dirndl is great if it fits well and you’re comfortable moving in it.

• Everyone: A proper stein (if you bought one at Cherry Street’s kickoff) pulls the outfit together while being actually useful

The Beer (and How Not to Waste Your Palate)

• One liter is not a goal. A liter stein is festive; it’s also warm by the bottom in Georgia heat. Consider half-liters or shared flights, especially midday.

• Märzen vs. Festbier: If you like toffee-ish, bready malt, pick Märzen. If you like clean, crisp, all-day drinkability, pick Festbier.

• The “one IPA” rule: If your crew insists on IPAs, fine—one round. Then go back to fall lagers; your palate and your Instagram will thank you.

• Food pairings that work:

  • Schnitzel + Festbier (cut + crisp)

  • Brat & kraut + Märzen (malt + acidity balance)

  • Giant pretzel + anything (salt amplifies flavor; it’s science)

Beyond the Beer: Music, Games, and “I Was There” Moments

• Contests are pure, wholesome bragging rights—pretzel ring toss and sausage toss make for great short-form video (tag your posts and keep it clean). The outfit contest is the easiest on-ramp to tradition; dress up, take the photo, win or not, you’ll be happy you leaned in.

• Stein culture—if they’re offering a limited stein, grab it early in the cycle. These tend to sell through, and refills feel better from a proper mug.

• Weekend energy—music + special drops + anniversary tie-ins, especially late September. It’s a different flavor of Oktoberfest—more taproom-party, less sit-down hall.

For Planners: A Sample Weekend That Actually Works

Saturday (Sept 27):

• 11:15 a.m. – Park at Cumming City Center; quick stroll.

• 12:00–2:00 p.m. – Oktoberfest at the Amphitheater; split a pretzel, enter the outfit contest, two rounds max.

• 2:15–3:30 p.m. – Late lunch with German-inspired specials from a participating restaurant.

• 4:00–6:00 p.m. – Cherry Street (Vickery or Halcyon) for a stein and schnitzel; buy the stein if they’re offering a kickoff bundle.

Sunday:

• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – NoFo Brew Co. for a flight and live music if scheduled; grab a table outside, bring board games for the kids.

If you’re only picking one day, do City Center’s daytime fest and then slide to Cherry Street for dinner. It’s the cleanest “festival + food pairing” combo in a single run.

FAQs You Actually Need Answered

Is this good for kids?
Yes. City Center’s daytime setup is built with families in mind. Breweries are family-friendly in off-peak hours; just dodge late-night crowds.

Do I need tickets?
City Center’s event is free, with pay-as-you-go for food and drinks. Breweries are regular service with seasonal menus and specials; no ticket required unless a specific party is announced.

Where else nearby celebrates?
Halcyon often features Oktoberfest-adjacent programming tied to Cherry Street’s lineup—worth monitoring for pop-ups and specials. Helen, GA (an hour+ north) runs one of the country’s longest Oktoberfests if you want a day trip, but that’s a separate plan.

What if I don’t drink?
You’re not a prop. Eat well, play the games, and order NA options. Oktoberfest is communal by design—the beer is a tool, not the point.

Sustainability (Because Festivals Should Grow Up, Too)

• Bring a reusable water bottle for the walk and car; hydrate between pours.

• Don’t trash the steins. If you buy one, use it all season; some venues will refill them.

• Walk or rideshare where possible; City Center is particularly strollable once you’re parked.

Cumming’s Oktoberfest isn’t cosplay for Instagram; it’s a local tradition that gets tighter every year. Anchor at Cumming City Center for the community festival energy, then choose your brewery nights for deeper beer and food experiences. Wear something you can move in, eat something fried and glorious, and drink like someone who wants to remember the night. That’s how it’s been done—more or less—since 1810.

When you’re finished planning, check our LivingInForsyth.com Events Calendar for updates, scan Community LIF for photos and local tips, and drop your own best Oktoberfest snapshots. This is how communities get stronger: we show up, we share the table, we raise a stein, and we do it again next year.

Dates to know (2025):

• Oktoberfest at Cumming City Center — Sat, Sept 27, 12–5 p.m. (Free). Games, food, themed pours at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater.

• Cherry Street Brewing (Vickery & Halcyon) — Multi-day Oktoberfest programming, stein kickoffs, German menu features. Watch their pages for exact specials and dates.

• NoFo Brew Co. (Cumming) — Late-September fest vibe and anniversary-season weekends; follow their feed for “NoFoberfest” and release details.

Live, Eat, Play, Enjoy Oktoberfest in FoCo!