Oktoberfest is a German festival that dates back to the 1800s and is celebrated widely in the U.S. Check out the list below for some of the great Oktoberfest events happening over Columbus Day weekend and throughout October.

For a full list of holiday events, see the Things to Do Columbus Day Weekend post.

ALABAMA
Oct. 1-8 CULLMAN Cullman Oktoberfest—Offerings include German food, music, dancing and entertainment. The Weiner Dog Race, a historic district bus tour and the Burgermeister's Ball also are featured. Location: Various locations. Contact: (256) 734-0454. Free.
ARIZONA
Oct. 7-9 TEMPE Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake—Polka dancing, live music and entertainment, bratwurst and a beer garden are just some of the offerings. Location: Tempe Beach Park. Contact: (480) 491-FEST. Free.

CALIFORNIA
Oct. 1-29 BIG BEAR LAKE (Sat.-Sun. only) Oktoberfest—Dancing, food, log-sawing demonstrations, stein-holding competitions and the crowning of an Oktoberfest queen are included. Location: Big Bear Lake Convention Center. Contact: (909) 585-3000. $.

Oct. 1-30 HUNTINGTON BEACH (Wed.-Sun. only) Oktoberfest—Complete with German bands from Europe, dancing, imported beers and tasty German foods--from bratwurst to potato salad to hot pretzels and apple strudel--Oktoberfest has something for everyone. Location: Old World Festival Hall. Contact: (714) 895-8020.

GEORGIA
Oct. 1-30 HELEN Oktoberfest—Festhalle is the place to be for German bands, food, beer and fun. Spend the evening dancing the polka and the chicken dance, or just relax in the adjacent beer garden and enjoy the crisp night air. Location: Helen Festhalle. Contact: (800) 858-8027. $.

IDAHO
Oct. 8-9 BOISE Oktoberfest at the Idaho Botanical Gardens —Celebrate with traditional folk dancing and oompah music provided by the Edelweiss Band. Food and brews also are offered. Location: Idaho Botanical Garden. Contact: (877) 527-8233. $.

KENTUCKY
Oct. 1-22 LOUISVILLE (Sat. only) Oktoberfest—Music, beer and bratwurst go hand in hand at this festival, which celebrates Louisville's rich German heritage. Location: Fourth Street. Contact: (502) 583-0333. Free.

MINNESOTA
Oct. 1-8 NEW ULM (Fri.-Sat. only) Oktoberfest—Enjoy musical entertainment from local, regional and European bands. Also offered are German goods for sale, and plenty of food and beverages. Location: Downtown and Holiday Inn. Contact: (507) 233-4300. $.

MISSOURI
Oct. 1-23 HERMANN (Sat.-Sun. only) Oktoberfest in Hermann—This celebration of Old World heritage features four weekends of food and entertainment, including tours of local wineries, breweries and historic sites. Location: Hermannhoff Winery and Festhalle. Contact: (573) 486-5959. $.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Oct. 8-9 BARTLETT Attitash Oktoberfest—This traditional Bavarian celebration includes German food, music, dancing, children's activities and the Oktoberfest Biergarten featuring regional brewers. Location: Attitash Bear Peak. Contact: (603) 374-2368. $.

NORTH CAROLINA
Oct. 7-9 HICKORY Oktoberfest—Oompah bands, the Becks Beer Garden, Fine Crafts on Union Square Commons, KidsFest and German food are highlights of this event. Location: Union Square. Contact: (828) 322-1121.

PENNSYLVANIA
Oct. 1-30 ADAMSTOWN (Sun. only) Stoudt's Brewery Oktoberfest—Celebrate German traditions in Pennsylvania Dutch Country at Stoudt's Gemutlichkeit Bier Garden. The entire family will enjoy an afternoon of German musical entertainment and food. Location: Stoudt's Brewing Company. Contact: (717) 484-4386.

RHODE ISLAND
Oct. 8-10 NEWPORT International Oktoberfest—Musicians, yodelers and dancers from Germany perform at this festival on Columbus Day weekend. Seasonal crafts, activities and takeaways round out the family fun. Location: Newport Yachting Center. Contact: (401) 846-1600 ext. 214. $.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 8 LEXINGTON Oktoberfest—This German heritage celebration features an Oompah Tent offering German food, beer and entertainment, a parade and a carnival. Also included are a pageant, arts and crafts, golf and bass tournaments, a 5K and a street dance. Location: Gibson Road Sports Complex. Contact: (803) 808-6876.

TENNESSEE
Oct. 8 NASHVILLE Oktoberfest—Nashville celebrates its Old World heritage with authentic food and drink, live music, folk dancing and tours of Germantown's historic churches. Location: Church of the Assumption. Contact: (615) 256-2729. Free.

TEXAS
Oct. 7-15 SAN ANTONIO (Fri.-Sat. only) Oktoberfest San Antonio—Entertainment from Germany is the centerpiece of this event, which also features food, singing and dancing. Location: Beethoven Maennerchor. Contact: (210) 222-1521.

UTAH
Oct. 1-9 SNOWBIRD (Sat.-Sun. only) Oktoberfest—Oktoberfest Halle features the tastes of Bavaria with entertainment from local and national German bands and yodelers. Kinderland offers fun for children of all ages; Der Marktplatz allows shoppers to browse through a variety of crafts. Location: Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. Contact: (801) 933-2110. Free.

WASHINGTON
Oct. 1-15 LEAVENWORTH (Fri.-Sat. only) Oktoberfest—German music, food, arts and crafts and family activities are offered along with the Keg Tapping Ceremony on Saturdays. Location: Downtown. Contact: (509) 548-5807. Free.

Oct. 7-9 PUYALLUP Oktoberfest Northwest—The Hammerschlagen Tournament of Champions, where the goal is to drive a nail into a cross-section of wood faster than your opponent, and the Wiener Dog Races are highlights of this festival. Location: Fairgrounds. Contact: (425) 283-5050. $.