New Ulm, Minnesota celebrates its German heritage with some of the most authentic and joyful festivals in America. The city's event calendar is anchored by three major celebrations — Oktoberfest in fall, Fasching (German Mardi Gras) in winter, and Heritagefest in summer — each of which draws visitors from across the Midwest and beyond.

These are not tourist-oriented recreations of German culture. They are genuine community celebrations, organized and attended by people who have been celebrating these traditions for generations. The food is real, the beer is exceptional, and the spirit is authentic.

New Ulm's Oktoberfest is one of the most authentic in America — a multi-weekend celebration that combines Schell's Brewery's exceptional beer with traditional German food, music, and community spirit.

Schell's Brewery produces special Oktoberfest lagers for the celebration — traditional Märzen-style beers that are brewed in spring and lagered through the summer, ready for tapping at Oktoberfest. The beer is exceptional: rich, malty, and deeply satisfying in the way that only a properly made Märzen can be.

The Tap: The ceremonial tapping of the Oktoberfest keg — performed by the mayor of New Ulm in the traditional Bavarian style — marks the official opening of the celebration.

Traditional German food is served throughout the Oktoberfest celebration:

• Bratwurst — grilled and served with sauerkraut and mustard
• Pretzels — large, soft pretzels with butter or cheese
• Schnitzel — breaded and fried pork or veal cutlets
• Sauerbraten — marinated beef roast with gingersnap gravy
• Käsespätzle — German egg noodles with cheese and caramelized onions

Traditional German oompah bands, polka music, and folk dancing are central to the Oktoberfest celebration. Several bands perform throughout the weekend, and the dancing — both organized and spontaneous — is one of the highlights of the event.

The Polka: New Ulm has a strong polka tradition, and the Oktoberfest polka dancing is genuinely excellent. Don't be shy — the locals will teach you the steps.

The Oktoberfest parade — featuring floats, marching bands, and traditional German costumes — winds through downtown New Ulm on Saturday afternoon. It's one of the most colorful and joyful parades in the Midwest.

When: Last two weekends of September and first weekend of October
Where: Downtown New Ulm and Schell's Brewery
More Information: newulm.com/oktoberfest

Fasching is the German equivalent of Mardi Gras — a pre-Lenten celebration of food, music, and community that has been observed in New Ulm since the city's founding. The New Ulm Fasching is one of the most authentic in America, organized by the New Ulm Turners and celebrated with genuine community spirit.

Fasching in New Ulm is centered on Turner Hall, where the community gathers for a series of events in the weeks before Ash Wednesday:

The Fasching Ball — a formal dance at Turner Hall, with traditional German music, costumes, and the crowning of the Fasching King and Queen.

The Fasching Parade — a smaller, more intimate parade than Oktoberfest, with participants in traditional German costumes and Fasching masks.

The Fasching Dinner — a community dinner at Turner Hall featuring traditional German food and Schell's beer.

When: The weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday (date varies; typically February)
Where: Turner Hall and downtown New Ulm

Heritagefest is New Ulm's summer celebration of German-American heritage — a two-day festival that combines music, food, crafts, and community in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Heritagefest features traditional German music — oompah bands, polka, and folk music — performed on multiple stages throughout the weekend. The music is the heart of the festival, and the quality is consistently high.

Featured Performers: Heritagefest draws German and German-American musicians from across the country, including some of the finest oompah bands in America.

Traditional German food and Schell's beer are the culinary foundation of Heritagefest. The festival's food vendors serve the same dishes as Oktoberfest — bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels, and sauerbraten — in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Heritagefest features a juried crafts fair with artisans from across the region, showcasing traditional German crafts alongside contemporary work inspired by the German heritage.

When: Third weekend of July
Where: Downtown New Ulm
More Information: newulm.com/heritagefest

Bockfest is Schell's Brewery's annual celebration of the spring bock beer release — a traditional German brewing event that marks the transition from winter to spring.

The Beer: Schell's Bock is a traditional German bock beer — rich, malty, and deeply satisfying. The spring release is celebrated with a festival at the brewery.

The Event: A one-day festival at Schell's Brewery, with tours, tastings, traditional German food, and live music.

When: April (date varies)
Where: Schell's Brewery

The New Ulm Farmers Market — held on Saturday mornings from May through October — showcases the agricultural abundance of the Minnesota River Valley, with local produce, honey, eggs, and artisan food products.

When: Saturday mornings, May–October
Where: Downtown New Ulm

New Ulm's First Friday Art Walk — held on the first Friday of each month — features open galleries, artist studios, and cultural events throughout the downtown.

Best Festival: Oktoberfest (late September/early October) is the peak of the New Ulm calendar — the beer is exceptional, the food is excellent, and the community spirit is at its most vibrant.

Second Best: Heritagefest (July) offers a summer version of the Oktoberfest experience, with excellent music and food in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Most Authentic: Fasching (February) is the most intimate and community-focused of New Ulm's festivals — a genuine celebration of German-American culture that has been observed for generations.

For more on New Ulm, see our New Ulm Weekend Guide, Schell's Brewery, New Ulm German Heritage, and New Ulm Outdoor Recreation.