Downtown Meridian is getting ready for one of its biggest fall celebrations of the year.
Meridian Oktoberfest returns Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Idaho Ave. and 2nd St. in Downtown Meridian, bringing together local businesses, food and drinks, live music, 70 vendors, family activities, contests, and a full day of Oktoberfest festivities.
Hosted by the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, the event was originally created with a larger purpose in mind: bringing people into Downtown Meridian and shining a spotlight on the businesses, organizations, and people that make the community unique.
Today, Meridian Oktoberfest welcomes approximately 15,000 attendees from across the Treasure Valley and beyond, giving thousands of people an opportunity to spend the day exploring Downtown Meridian.
Created to Support Downtown Meridian
For the Meridian Chamber, Oktoberfest is about much more than hosting a festival.
Supporting local businesses is central to the Chamber’s mission, and Oktoberfest was designed to create an event that would bring new eyes to Downtown Meridian while encouraging attendees to shop, eat, explore, and discover businesses they may not have visited before.
That local focus can be found throughout the event.
This year, approximately 70 vendors will fill the festival footprint, including food vendors, artisans and makers, product-based businesses, retailers, service-based businesses, and community organizations.
Guests can browse locally made products, learn about area businesses and services, meet business owners, grab something to eat, and spend the day discovering what the Meridian community has to offer.
Local Food, Drinks and Beer Vendors
Oktoberfest wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without plenty to eat and drink.
Food vendors will be serving festival favorites throughout the day, including plenty of pretzels and German-inspired options alongside a variety of other food and treats.
The event will also feature four beer vendors with strong local ties:
Loose Screw Beer Co. — Meridian’s own craft brewery and a longtime community gathering place.
127 Saloon — Downtown Meridian’s country-western bar bringing its signature personality and pours to the event.
Voodoo Brewing Meridian — A local brewpub serving craft beer and elevated pub favorites.
Sockeye Brewing — A Treasure Valley brewery that has been producing award-winning ales and lagers since 1996.
Guests who are 21+ and plan to purchase alcohol will need a valid photo ID and a 21+ wristband, available for $5 at the event’s wristband sales stations.
Live Music Throughout the Day
Music will help set the atmosphere from afternoon through evening.
Boise Edelweiss will take the Main Stage from 12:00 PM to 3:45 PM, bringing traditional Oktoberfest energy to Downtown Meridian.
Later in the evening, Soul Patch will take over the Main Stage from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, closing out the event with live music as Oktoberfest continues into the night.
Contests, Games and Oktoberfest Competition
Guests looking for a little friendly competition will have plenty of opportunities to participate — or cheer from the sidelines.
The day’s lineup includes:
Youth Strudel Eating Contest
Kids ages 8–14 will race to finish their strudel at 11:00 AM on the Main Stage. The contest is sponsored by Boran Coffee Lounge.
Best Dressed Oktoberfest Attire Contest
Lederhosen, dirndls, and Oktoberfest style take center stage at noon as attendees compete for the best-dressed title.
Cornhole Tournament
Frontier Park will host a competitive cornhole tournament from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Participants will register through the Cornholio app and should come ready for a real tournament.
Pretzel Toss Game
At 2:00 PM in Generations Plaza, partners can test their aim by tossing an inflatable pretzel onto a plunger-style headpiece. The game is designed for kids and adults alike.
Strudel Eating Contest
The adult Strudel Eating Contest begins at 4:00 PM on the Main Stage and is sponsored by Boran Coffee Lounge.
Beer Pong Tournament
Teams can compete from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Centennial Park.
Brat Eating Contest
At 6:30 PM, competitors will take on the Brat Eating Contest on the Main Stage, sponsored by Valley Wide Cooperative.
Stein Hold at Sunset
One of the signature events of the evening begins at 7:20 PM. Competitors will test their strength and endurance during the Stein Hold at Sunset, sponsored by Loose Screw Brewery.
Activities for Kids and Families
Meridian Oktoberfest is designed to offer something for all ages.
From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, families can visit Generations Plaza for Children’s Craft Projects. Younger attendees can also participate in the Youth Strudel Eating Contest, Pretzel Toss, and other activities happening throughout the day.
Families can spend the morning and afternoon exploring vendors, grabbing food, listening to live music, watching contests, and enjoying the downtown atmosphere together.
Plan Your Oktoberfest Day
The full event schedule includes:
10:00 AM: Event Opens
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Children’s Activities - Sponsored by Children's Museum of Idaho - Generations Plaza
11:00 AM: Youth Strudel Eating Contest (8-14 years old) - Sponsored by Boran Coffee Lounge - Main Stage
12:00 PM - 3:45 PM: Boise Edelweiss - Main Stage
12:00 AM: Best Dressed Oktoberfest Attire Contest - Main Stage
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Corn Hole Tournament - Frontier Park
2:00 PM: Pretzel Tossing Game - Sponsored by Boran Lounge - Generations Plaza
4:00 PM: Strudel Eating Contest - Sponsored by Boran Coffee Lounge - Main Stage
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Beer Pong Tournament - Sponsored by Smile Spirits - Centennial Park
6:30 PM: Brat Eating Contest - Sponsored by Valley Wide Cooperative - Main Stage
7:20 PM: Stein Hold at Sunset Contest - Sponsored by Loose Screw Brewery - Main Stage
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Soul Patch - Main Stage
9:00 PM: Event Ends
A Celebration of Local
At its heart, Meridian Oktoberfest is a celebration of the Meridian community.
It gives local businesses an opportunity to meet thousands of potential customers. It gives musicians and performers a platform in the center of the city. It gives vendors a chance to showcase what they create and provide. And it gives residents and visitors another reason to spend time discovering Downtown Meridian.
For the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, that is exactly what the event was created to do.
Come hungry, bring the family, meet up with friends, shop local, enjoy the music, cheer on the contests, and spend the day experiencing Downtown Meridian.
Meridian Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Idaho Ave. and 2nd St. in Downtown Meridian
Learn more at meridianchamber.org/meridian-oktoberfest/.