Six ways to celebrate Oktoberfest in Los Angeles

Dust off the lederhosen and dirndls, it’s time for pretzels, oompah tunes and plenty of delicious beer as Oktoberfest parties kick off across Los Angeles.

Never mind the triple-digit temperatures; raising a stein of frosty German-style beers and shouting “Prost!” is like a rain-dance for autumn weather. Maybe if we all toast hard enough, L.A. will start cooling off.

There are many options for Oktoberfest celebrations starting to happen across Los Angeles, and here are five varied festivals from the Valley to the South Bay:

Alpine Village Oktoberfest: One of the longest running and best known Oktoberfests in California is the party at Alpine Village in Torrance. The festival has already begun and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 26. Admission is $20 and costumes are encouraged.

Oktoberfest at Wirtshaus: The German pub and restaurant on La Brea serves up some killer schnitzel and sausages, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Wirsthaus kicks off its weeks-long Oktoberfest with “a surprise German celebrity guest [who] will tap the first ceremonial Oktoberfest keg (which will be on the house!!!), traditional German live music, drink & food specials.”

Angel City Oktoberfest: The craft brewery has built a reputation for throwing some really fun parties in its sprawling Arts District space, and its Oktoberfest event on Sunday will feature “beer mug races, a costume contest and music,” along with a special Oktoberfest style brew, food specials and an “Oktoberfest themed artists bazaar”. There’s no cover for the party, which runs from noon until 10 p.m., and a portion of proceeds from beer sales will benefit the Downtown Women’s Center.

Oktoberfest at Highland Park Brewery: The people behind the Hermosillo lounge and Highland Park Brewery are teaming with Noble Ale Works, Eagle Rock Brewery and Craftsman Brewing for an Oktoberfest during the first weekend of L.A. Beer Week. On Sunday, $30 gets you eight tasters of beer from the renowned craft breweries and a sausage platter

Vegan Oktoberfest: On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Vegan Oktoberfest celebration will debut within sight of the ocean in Santa Monica (2600 Barnard Way). The German-style beer hall will be filled with Bavarian maidens, live polka bands, and all the vegan brews you can guzzle. General admission is $45, and VIP tickets, which includes “early admission plus one beer stein, unlimited beer and access to a VIP-only area with food samplers and private beer maiden hostesses” are $65.

Wurstkuche Venice: Throughout the month of October, Wurstkuche Venice will be hosting its first Oktoberfest celebration. Every Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. the restaurant, decorated with the Spaten’s Oktoberfest tent at the Munich Festival Grounds in mind, the taps will be flowing with traditional German bier, and “Oom-Pah-Pah” music playing from the German Zeitgeist Band. There will be festive activities, sausage, large Bavarian pretzels, beer ice cream sandwiches from McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream and the opportunity to purchase a traditional lederhosen and dirndl.