1. Oaktoberfest – Oakland
Date: Oct 4–5, 2025
Location: Dimond District, Fruitvale Ave & MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA
A family-friendly, free-entry Bavarian bash with over 200 craft beers from local and regional breweries. Expect live oompah bands, dancing, authentic German cuisine, stein-holding contests, and a bustling marketplace with crafts and vendors. Great for families, beer lovers, and those craving bratwurst.
2. Hayward Double IPA Festival – Hayward
Date: Feb 8, 2025
Location: The Bistro, 1001 B Street, Hayward, CA
Celebrating the hoppiest beers on earth—Double and Triple IPAs—this event is legendary for hopheads. Sample bold, bitter, and complex brews from over 60 top West Coast breweries. Past highlights include Pliny the Elder and other iconic pours in an intimate setting.
3. SF Beer Week – Bay Area
Date: Feb 21–Mar 2, 2025
Location: Multiple venues across the Bay Area
A 10-day craft beer celebration featuring rare releases, tap takeovers, pairing dinners, beer education panels, and collaborations between breweries across NorCal. Watch for limited-time drops like Pliny the Younger.
4. Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest – Paso Robles
Date: Summer 2025 (TBD)
Location: Paso Robles Event Center, Paso Robles, CA
An invite-only event that gathers a curated selection of elite breweries from around the globe. With intimate access to brewers, world-class food vendors, and one-off beers you won’t find anywhere else, this is a bucket-list festival for beer aficionados.
5. California Brewers Festival – Sacramento
Date: Sept 13, 2025
Location: Discovery Park, 1600 Garden Hwy, Sacramento, CA
Over 70 breweries come together for beer sampling, live music, and the crowd-favorite Beer Mile Relay. Expect local eats, kombucha, ciders, and even wine stations. Proceeds support local charities.
6. Bay Area Brew Festival – San Francisco
Date: Apr 19, 2025
Location: Presidio Main Lawn, San Francisco, CA
Sample over 200 beers while enjoying food trucks, games, and sweeping views of the Golden Gate. General admission includes unlimited tastings and a commemorative cup.
7. California Festival of Beers – San Luis Obispo
Date: Memorial Day Weekend
Location: Madonna Inn Meadows, San Luis Obispo, CA
Running since 1984, this classic festival supports Hospice SLO County. Enjoy a wide range of craft beers, food booths, and shaded lawns perfect for sipping and lounging.
8. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest – Big Bear Lake
Date: Weekends Sept–Nov 2025
Location: Big Bear Lake Village, CA
An alpine celebration complete with dirndls, lederhosen, and stein-holding contests. Rotating German bands perform traditional music while attendees enjoy schnitzel, pretzels, and an authentic Biergarten atmosphere.
9. Palisades Tahoe Oktoberfest – Olympic Valley
Date: Sept 27, 2025
Location: Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, CA
Nestled in a mountain village, this Oktoberfest features imported German brews, Bavarian folk dancers, yodeling contests, and traditional German games. It’s a scenic, spirited escape.
10. San Diego Beer Festival – San Diego
Date: TBD 2025
Location: San Diego, CA
Hosted in a sunny city park, this event showcases San Diego’s top breweries, trendy new releases, and experimental styles. Food trucks line the edges with gourmet eats to pair with your pour.
11. Livermore Valley Craft Beer Festival – Livermore
Date: Summer 2025 (TBD)
Location: Downtown Livermore
A smaller, more local affair with an emphasis on community and NorCal pride. Expect rotating taps, shaded tents, live music, and family-friendly entertainment.
12. North Park Festival of Beer – San Diego
Date: Apr 6, 2025
Location: North Park, San Diego, CA
Held in the heart of one of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods, this festival features 50+ breweries, energetic crowds, and a lineup of rare and barrel-aged selections.
13. San Diego Beer Week – San Diego County
Date: Nov 2025
Location: Countywide
A 10-day citywide celebration with everything from beer brunches to taproom collabs. The kickoff Guild Fest is one of the biggest beer parties of the year.
14. San Diego International Beer Festival – Del Mar
Date: June 2025
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
California’s largest judged beer competition held alongside the County Fair. Offers beer and cheese pairings, rare imports, and specialty tastings with international breweries.
15. California State Fair Craft Brewfest – Sacramento
Date: July 12, 2025
Location: Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA
Taste competition-winning beers while enjoying fair attractions. Includes a public tasting event with over 100 California breweries.
16. Mountain View Oktoberfest – Mountain View
Date: Fall 2025 (TBD)
Location: 895 Villa St, Mountain View, CA
Features German music, authentic food, and Hofbräuhaus beers. Kids can enjoy bounce houses while adults enter stein-lifting contests and enjoy traditional games.
17. Redwood City Oktoberfest – Redwood City
Date: Fall 2025 (TBD)
Location: 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA
Inside a massive tent, enjoy Bavarian brews, soft pretzels, and live accordion-led singalongs. A festive, urban twist on Oktoberfest.
18. River & Rail Brewfest – Dunsmuir
Date: Aug 2, 2025
Location: Downtown Dunsmuir, CA
Set along the Sacramento River, this hidden gem blends mountain beauty with local craft beers. A great place for scenic sipping.
19. Stumptown Beer Revival & BBQ Cook-Off – Guerneville
Date: Aug 16, 2025
Location: Guerneville, CA
Backed by redwoods and smoke from sizzling grills, this combo fest highlights local homebrewers and pitmasters. Don’t miss the rib competition.
20. June Lake Autumn Brew Festival – June Lake
Date: Early October 2025
Location: June Lake Village, CA
With Sierra peaks as a backdrop, this one-day fest supports local causes and features live music, food vendors, and seasonal brews from mountain-based breweries.
🍻 Final Thoughts
From oceanside Oktoberfests to hop-heavy Double IPA throwdowns, California’s 2025 beer calendar is packed with unforgettable experiences. Plan ahead, grab your steins, and maybe even wear lederhosen. Whether you’re a seasoned beer judge or just in it for the atmosphere, there’s a perfect pint—and party—waiting for you.
Stay tuned to Brewery-Search.com for ticket links, brewery profiles, and insider tips on all these upcoming fests!
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