After 50th anniversary was postponed last year, popular Helen Oktoberfest returns

WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — Grab your Lederhosen and make room for beer and brats. The Helen Oktoberfest officially kicked off Thursday in the north Georgia mountains.

The longest running Oktoberfest in the U.S. will run through Nov. 7. Currently, the festival is open Thursday through Sunday until Sept. 26. It will be open daily from Sept. 30 until Nov. 7.

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Millions of people visit Helen for Oktoberfest that’s held for weeks every year. The Chamber of Commerce canceled it last year due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 festival would have been the 50th anniversary, but the celebrations were pushed to this year.

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Helen Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Renee Green told White County News the festival is following state guidelines, encouraging masks -- but not requiring them -- and social distancing.

Oktoberfest is open 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. during the week; 6 a.m. to midnight on Fridays, 1 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Admission is $8 Monday through Friday, $10 on Saturdays and free on Sundays.

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