You don’t need a plane ticket to Munich—or even a drive to Leavenworth—to find an Oktoberfest celebration this fall. Tacoma-area breweries, restaurants and gathering places are filling the next several weekends with German beer, bratwurst, live music, stein-holding contests and a few distinctly local variations on the Bavarian tradition.

The festivities begin Saturday, September 19, at Redd Dog Brewing Company, which will repeat its Oktoberfest celebration on September 26. The dog-friendly party runs from noon to 5 p.m. and features German-inspired beer, food and music. A $25 advance ticket includes a 21-ounce commemorative “Das Boot” glass, an Alpine-style hat and the first fill for guests 21 and older.

September 26 brings four different celebrations within Tacoma. McMenamins Elks Temple is holding a free, all-ages Oktoberfest throughout the day, with German-style food and drink specials, its seasonal Oktoberfest Lager and live music in the Spanish Ballroom. The menu ranges from currywurst and an Oktoberfest sausage plate to Black Forest Bundt cake.

Narrows Brewing’s Proctor taproom will begin its all-ages celebration at 1 p.m. the same day. The $30 ticket includes a custom one-liter Narrows stein and the first fill. Pretzels, beer, a best-dressed contest and a stein-holding competition round out the party, with lederhosen and dirndls encouraged.

Also on September 26, Dystopian State Brewing will host an Oktoberfest that includes a qualifier for the Washington Steinholding Championship. That contest offers Tacoma participants a chance to find out how long they can hold a full stein straight in front of them—a challenge that becomes considerably harder than it sounds after the first minute.

Oktoberfest takes an automotive turn on Saturday, October 3, when Avants brings its celebration to Griot’s Garage. The free, family-friendly gathering runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and combines German automotive culture with a live DJ, food, coffee, drinks, limited-edition shirts and commemorative posters. Oktoberfest clothing is encouraged, but apparently not required to admire German engineering.

For something closer to a traditional beer hall, Tacoma’s Berliner Beerhall will welcome the Happy Hans German Band from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, October 9. The downtown restaurant already specializes in German beer and food, making this the option for anyone who wants their Oktoberfest with fewer temporary decorations and more permanent Bavarian atmosphere.

The region’s largest celebration arrives that same weekend at the Washington State Fair Event Center. Oktoberfest Northwest runs October 9–11 with German food and beer, oompah music, Hammerschlagen, contests, a ceremonial keg tapping and late-night party bands. Sunday adds Wiener Dog Races, the Stein Dash 5K and a children’s root-beer run.

Oktoberfest Northwest is open to all ages until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and throughout Sunday’s Family Day. Friday admission is free from noon to 3 p.m., while Sunday tickets are half price. With free neighborhood parties, ticketed brewery events, family activities and serious competitive stein-holding all on the calendar, Tacoma’s Oktoberfest season offers considerably more than one way to raise a glass.