Asheville Oktoberfest
Description
Asheville Oktoberfest is the city’s one big, central Oktoberfest street party, run by the Asheville Downtown Association and held on Coxe Avenue in the South Slope Brewery District — which puts the festival in the middle of the densest cluster of breweries in town. It brings together more than 20 local breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries for an afternoon of tastings, German-style food from local vendors, live entertainment and the usual Oktoberfest games.
The street festival is listed as free to attend and is walkable from downtown. Drinking requires a Prost Pass — $25 in advance or $35 on the day — which gets you a commemorative Asheville Oktoberfest tasting glass and the beer tastings from participating breweries. You must be 21 or over to buy a Prost Pass or to drink.
It lands on the first Saturday of October, the same day as the fall edition of Asheville Art in the Park a few blocks north at Pack Square Park, so the two make an easy day-long downtown loop. For the taprooms to build the rest of the weekend around, start with our Asheville craft breweries guide.
What is available?
Beer, cider, wine and spirits tastings from 20+ regional producers (with a Prost Pass); German-style food vendors; live music and entertainment; Oktoberfest games; commemorative tasting glass.
Located inside of: Outdoors — street festival on Coxe Avenue, South Slope
Special tips for the festival?
Buy the Prost Pass in advance ($25 vs $35 at the gate). Bring ID — 21+ to buy a pass or drink. Leave the car in a downtown garage and walk into the South Slope. Pair it with Art in the Park at Pack Square Park the same day.
Location: Coxe Avenue, South Slope Brewery District, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: N/A (Asheville Downtown Association)
Opening Hours: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Dates: Annually, early October (2026: Saturday, October 3)
Parking: Downtown garages / street parking; walkable from downtown
Location of the Festival: Coxe Avenue, South Slope, Downtown Asheville
