4 Places to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Corpus Christi

If you love great beer and authentic German food, then October is the month for you! Oktoberfest celebrations have begun in the Corpus Christi area, so whether you want to attend a big outdoor festival or enjoy authentic German cuisine in a quieter atmosphere, we have some great suggestions for celebrations.

1. Surftoberfest    
300 Block of Chaparral and William Streets

This rowdy take on Oktoberfest attracts fun-loving men and women from all walks of life. The blend of surf culture and German traditions is sure to have you laughing the day away. Take a photo in the Volkswagen photo booth, enter the Masskrugstemmen (a competition to see who can hold up a full beer stein the longest), and dance to live surf-polka music by the Poi Pounders. In the beer garden, you'll find authentic German brews as well as selections from local breweries.

Surftoberfest is Saturday, October 1, with gates opening at 2 p.m., and admission is free.

2. Oktoberfest at Trinity Lutheran Church    
808 Louisiana Pkwy

If you're looking for a more family-friendly way to celebrate Oktoberfest, this annual event is a great choice. It takes place between 5 and 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 1 and aims to be a true celebration of German traditions and heritage. Meal tickets are sold at the door for $13 a piece, and selections include schnitzel, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and pretzels. Kids ages 12 and under receive free admission, and they’ll love the bounce house area and carnival games. Adults can hang out in the beer garden and enjoy live music by the Majek Band.

3. Strudel Mania    
6062 Holly Rd, Suite B6

Strudel is a layered pastry filled with either sweet or savory ingredients. It's a favorite grab-and-go dish in Germany, and enjoying one is a perfect way to celebrate Oktoberfest. Strudel Mania offers an array of authentic German strudels, from savory selections like brisket and chicken, to sweeter choices like apple and blueberry. They also offer other German dishes such as schnitzel and bratwurst. Each day, the restaurant offers a different special, so you may want to stop in more than once during the month of October. This small, friendly restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

4. JB's German Bakery & Cafe     
15137 S Padre Island Dr

At JBs, high quality breads and pastries are made from scratch using authentic German recipes. The wood-burning oven used to bake the products was even imported from Germany! Could there be a better way to celebrate Oktoberfest than with a bratwurst on a house-baked bun or a plate of fleishknuckle (German meatballs)? JB's is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

How do you plan on celebrating Oktoberfest this year? Let us know in the comments below.