The Wisconsin Union team will host a two-day Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 25-26 at Memorial Union, featuring live music, German-inspired food and beverages, art-making and more.
Oktoberfest programming will begin Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. with food and beverage specials offered by the Wisconsin Union and a performance by the Madison Tuba Band from 3-6 p.m. Additional Friday events will include faux Lebkuchenherz-inspired hearts-making during Wheelhouse Studios’ Free Art Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Oktoberfest wooden heart ornament decorating from 5-7:30 p.m.
The celebration will continue Sept. 26 with food and beverage specials, kid disco with DJ Nick Nice from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., model magic pretzel-making hosted by Wheelhouse Studios from noon to 2 p.m., a performance by the Wild Rumpus Circus Acts between 11 a.m.-2 p.m., a solo acoustic performance by David Landau from 1-2 p.m., a Madison Tuba Band performance from 3-6 p.m., and Latin culture event Fiesta en la Terreza 7-10 p.m. Fiesta en la Terreza is hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
The Wisconsin Union team will also provide an opportunity to learn about the German-inspired murals of Memorial Union. A mural tour will take place from 2-3 p.m. Sept. 26, beginning in der Stiftskeller. The tour will include information about der Rathskeller’s design and mural process as well as information about der Stiftskeller murals. Tour attendees can also view selected works from the Wisconsin Union art collection by artists connected to the designs of der Rathskeller and der Stiftskeller.
The German-inspired food and beverage options the Wisconsin Union team anticipates making available for purchase during the celebration include pork schnitzel, spaetzle and German potato salad at der Rathskeller; pretzels at der Stiftskeller; currywurst at the Brat Stand; and Levylicious Salted Turtle Ice Cream and Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream at the Daily Scoop at Memorial Union.
Limited-time beer options are anticipated to include Potosi Oktoberfest, Capital Brewery’s Oktoberfest, Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest, Lakefront Brewery's Oktoberfest, Samuel Adams’ Octoberfest, Bell's Octoberfest, Spaten’s Oktoberfestbier, New Glarus Brewing Company’s Staghorn, Central Waters Brewing’s Octoberfest, One Barrel Brewing’s These Pretzels are Making Me Thirsty, Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest, and Surly Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest.
Wisconsin Union dining options will also offer their usual menus, including a Friday fish fry Sept. 25 from 4-8 p.m. at Lakeview Lounge.
Many activities and events are free, while food and beverages are available for purchase.
The Wisconsin Union has been providing experiences for a lifetime since 1907. The nonprofit organization provides experiences in dining, arts, outdoor recreation, student leadership and more. Its building Memorial Union has helped the Wisconsin Union provide experiences for a lifetime for almost 100 years.
Oktoberfest events and specials are subject to change. For a complete Oktoberfest schedule and event updates, visit union.wisc.edu/oktoberfest.