CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Oktoberfest 2026 is officially underway. A ribbon cutting at the festival gates and an evening of opening ceremonies took place Thursday, Oct. 1, at Depot Park. On Friday, the fun continued with Senior Day and more.
As the gates opened Thursday at 4 p.m., a crowd of community members, festival organizers and participants dressed in lederhosen and dirndls lined up behind a blue-and-white Bavarian ribbon beneath the festival’s Oktoberfest archway. They were flanked by the giant mascot figures that greet visitors at the entrance.
Admission to Cullman Oktoberfest is free. Opening day welcomed visitors to three covered biergartens – the Hofbräuhaus, Ethos/Goat Island and the Weihenstephan Festzelt – along with vendors and the Kinderbereich Kids’ Zone, home to a 110-foot Ferris wheel and a double-decker carousel. Stilt walkers in traditional German dress and the festival’s costumed mascots roamed the grounds, greeting families as they arrived.
Live music began at 5 p.m., and the afternoon schedule included relay races, a chair-stacking show, Bavarian jugglers and a Bavarian jump rope show.
Opening ceremonies
The main event of the night came at 6:30 p.m., when the main stage hosted opening ceremonies featuring the 2026 Burgermeister, Miss Oktoberfest and the traditional tapping of the keg.
Miss Oktoberfest contestants, dressed in dirndls and crowned with flowers, took the stage before the crowd. Elizabeth Smith took the crown. Then, with festivalgoers packed in front of the stage and phones raised, the first keg was tapped with a wooden mallet, officially marking the start of the festivities.
This year’s Burgermeister, Edgar Veigl, is a descendant of Cullman’s original German settlers. He serves as Oktoberfest’s official ambassador and grand marshal and will represent the festival throughout the celebration.
The evening continued with a brat-eating contest, stein hoisting and a best-dressed contest on the main stage, as well as a candlelight walking tour at the Cullman County Museum.
Friday
Friday featured Senior Day events, a yodeling contest and a late-evening headlining performance by Manuela Horn.
Saturday
Saturday begins with the Oktoberfest 5K and 10K at 8 a.m., followed by the wiener dog races at 11 a.m., dueling pianos and another Manuela Horn performance from 9:30-11 p.m.
Sunday
Sunday brings Family Olympics, a Manuela Horn family show from 4-5:30 p.m. and a closing performance by The Overtones.
Oktoberfest continues through Sunday, Oct. 4. Hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday.
Depot Park is located at 309 First Ave. NE. For the full schedule of events, visit www.cullmanoktoberfestival.com or download the official Cullman Oktoberfest app. For more information, call 256-734-9157.
