Oktoberfest at 2 Silos Brewing in Manassas, VA is back, bringing Bavarian tradition, locally brewed beer, and a full weekend of celebration to Northern Virginia. But what is the history of Oktoberfest in Northern VA? How far back does it go?

Oktoberfest: From Royal Wedding in Munich to Tapping Kegs in Manassas, VA

If there’s one thing that can unite the good people of Virginia—across county lines, political leanings, and BBQ loyalties—it’s beer. And not just any beer, but the full-bodied, malty, amber-hued beauty that makes its grand entrance every fall: Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is more than a seasonal beer release—it’s a cultural celebration, a tradition that spans centuries, and, for many, a marathon of good food, great music, and shared cheers. This year, the Oktoberfest event at 2 Silos Brewing in Manassas, VA promises all of that and more, bringing the spirit of Munich right to the heart of Northern Virginia.

So grab your stein, loosen your lederhosen (or just your jeans), and join me on a journey—from the festival’s royal origins in 1810 to the way Virginians celebrate it today—because if we’re raising a glass, we ought to know exactly what we’re toasting to.

The Royal Wedding That Started It All

Picture it: Munich, October 12, 1810. Crown Prince Ludwig (soon to be King Ludwig I) marries Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. They could’ve had a quiet reception, but no—these were Bavarians. They threw a party so big it lasted five days. And because they weren’t ones for modesty, they held it in a giant meadow, invited the entire city, and capped it off with a horse race.

It was such a hit that they said, “Let’s do it again next year!”—and thus, Oktoberfest was born. Over the next two centuries, it grew from a local fair into the world’s largest beer festival, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Fun fact: In Germany, Oktoberfest actually starts in September and runs into the first weekend of October. Why? Because Bavarians prefer drinking outside before it gets too cold.

The Americanization of Oktoberfest

Fast forward about a century and some change, and German immigrants are making their way to the U.S., bringing with them not just their brewing skills but also their festivals. They settle in places like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio—areas that are still Oktoberfest hotspots today.

Here in America, we’ve added our own flair:

Seasonal beer releases – Breweries from coast to coast now brew Märzen-style lagers each fall, but we also throw in pumpkin ales, festbiers, and other creative riffs because, well, America.

Live music – From polka to rock covers, the soundtrack is a little more varied than the Bavarian oompah bands (though those still show up at the best fests).

Food mashups – Yes, you can still get bratwursts and pretzels, but you might also see BBQ pork sliders, lobster rolls, or even Oktoberfest tacos.

Family-friendly events – In Germany, beer tents dominate. In the U.S., we’re just as likely to have bounce houses and face painting alongside the beer garden.

Oktoberfest in Virginia: 200 Years of Prost-ing

You might not think of Virginia as an Oktoberfest capital, but the Commonwealth has deep brewing roots. German immigrants settled here as early as the 1700s, bringing lager brewing techniques long before “craft beer” was a buzzword.

By the mid-1800s, towns across Virginia—especially in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia—were hosting fall harvest festivals inspired by their European heritage. These celebrations weren’t called “Oktoberfest” yet, but the formula was there: good food, flowing beer, live music, and neighbors coming together.

In the 20th century, Oktoberfest celebrations popped up in places like Richmond, Alexandria, and even small towns that didn’t have a single brewery at the time. By the late ‘90s and early 2000s, as craft brewing took off, Virginia Oktoberfests started to take on a whole new life. Breweries began crafting special Märzen-style lagers and turning their taprooms into mini-Bavarias for a weekend (or three).

2 Silos Brewing: Manassas’ Modern-Day Beer Hall

Which brings us to today, and to 2 Silos Brewing Company in Manassas, VA—our own slice of Oktoberfest heaven.

For those who haven’t been, 2 Silos isn’t just a brewery—it’s practically a beer campus. Wide open spaces, live music, fire pits, and a steady flow of their signature brews make it the perfect backdrop for a fall festival. During Oktoberfest, the place transforms into a celebration worthy of Munich itself:

Festive beer releases – Their Oktoberfest Märzen is malty, toasty, and brewed for long afternoons with friends.

Bavarian eats – Pretzels the size of your head, bratwurst, schnitzel, and beer cheese that could convert the most stubborn non-dipper.

Live entertainment – Bands, games, and maybe even a stein-holding competition if you’ve been working on your forearm strength.

Family and community vibe – Sure, the beer is the star, but you’ll see families, friends, and plenty of first-timers soaking it all in.

A (Very) Quick Guide to Talking Oktoberfest Like a Pro

Before you show up at 2 Silos’ Oktoberfest, here are a few tidbits to sprinkle into conversation so you sound like the in-the-know beer historian in your group:

Märzen – The traditional Oktoberfest beer style. Malty, smooth, and amber in color, it was historically brewed in March (März in German) and stored cold until fall.

Prost! – German for “cheers!” Say it before every sip if you want to blend in.

Lederhosen vs. Dirndl – Lederhosen are the short leather pants traditionally worn by men. Dirndls are the traditional dresses worn by women. Both are welcome attire for Oktoberfest, but jeans and a hoodie work too.

Oompah music – The classic brass-heavy tunes you’ll hear in Munich beer tents. Bonus points if you can clap along without spilling your beer.

Why Oktoberfest Still Matters in 2025

In a world where everything is on-demand, virtual, and algorithm-driven, Oktoberfest remains beautifully analog. It’s people, beer, and laughter in real time—no screens required (except maybe to take a few selfies with your stein).

For Virginians, it’s also a way to connect past to present. We’re not just borrowing someone else’s tradition; we’re adding our own spin, layering in centuries of local history, and creating memories that will make us smile (and maybe groan a little the next morning).

So when I head to 2 Silos Brewing for their Oktoberfest this year, I’ll be thinking about that first horse race in 1810, about the generations of Virginians who’ve raised a glass in autumn, and about the simple joy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with friends, strangers, and fellow beer lovers.

And I’ll raise my stein, look you dead in the eye, and say:

“Prost, y’all.”

Fun Facts About Oktoberfest in Virginia

1. Virginia’s First “Official” Oktoberfest Wasn’t That Long Ago

Sure, folks were throwing German-inspired fall parties long before, but the first big events actually billed as “Oktoberfest” in Virginia started showing up in the late 1960s. Most were hosted by German social clubs, veterans’ halls, and the occasional fire department that knew how to throw a proper beer bash.

2. The Army’s Been Doing It for Years

Fort Belvoir, just south of D.C., has been running an Oktoberfest for decades. Think carnival rides, bratwurst stands, and live German bands echoing across the base—it’s as close to a Bavarian village as you’re going to get on Army soil.

3. Busch Gardens Made Oktoberfest a Year-Round Vibe

When Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened in 1975, one of the original themed “countries” was Bavaria. Even outside of the fall season, you could stroll through cobblestone streets, drink German beer, and pretend you’d hopped the pond.

4. Charlottesville Once Turned Main Street Into a Beer Garden

In the early 2000s, downtown Charlottesville closed off traffic for an Oktoberfest that mixed craft beer, local restaurants, and live polka. Lederhosen contests broke out. People danced in the street. It was glorious.

5. A Law Change in 2012 Supercharged the Festivities

Before 2012, Virginia breweries couldn’t sell beer by the pint in their taprooms—only tasters and to-go. Once that changed, the number of Oktoberfest parties exploded. Breweries from the mountains to the coast started brewing Märzen lagers and hosting big fall weekends.

6. Some Towns Go All-In on the Look

Lovettsville in Loudoun County, nicknamed “The German Settlement,” decorates its streets with Bavarian flags and banners every fall. Over on the Eastern Shore, Cape Charles has done the same, mixing small-town charm with big steins of beer.

7. Norfolk Has a Stein-Holding Record

In 2019, Norfolk’s Oktoberfest packed a tent with over 150 people for a single Masskrugstemmen—everyone holding a full beer stein straight out in front of them until their arms gave out. It’s harder than it looks.