Events

Every spring, the Sacramento Turn Verein—and thousands of local beer lovers—gather to celebrate the arrival of Bockbier, a traditional Bavarian beer that is dark in color and relatively high in alcohol content. This single-day event includes:

• German music by the Sacramento Turner Harmonie
• Bavarian folk dancing
• Traditional German food
• Biergarten

We invite you to join us at this lively event, where Bockbier flows like the Sacramento River and German heritage is alive and thriving!

History
According to some records, Bockbiers date back as far as the mid-1200s in Germany—and although their name came from the Hanseatic league town of Einbeck (where the beer was first brewed), a myth says it was derived from the German word for “goat,” which is also “bock.”

By 1380, there were 600 breweries in Einbeck producing Bockbier. Later it was exported to Munich and then all over Europe. With the large demand for Bockbier in Munich, the Einbeck brewmeister was brought to Munich with no chance of returning to Einbeck.

• Bockbiers generally has a malty character with a caramel and roasted flavor that finishes slightly sweet and come in many styles:
• Dunkelsbock: traditional dark bock
• Hellesbock: pale beer that is light in color with a dry finish, almost like a pilsner
• Maibock: somewhat darker bock that has a definite hops taste
• Weizenbock: wheat beer brewed to the strength of a Bockbier
• Doppelbock: double bock with a slightly sweet finish

All Bockbiers fall under the Reinheitsgebot, the German purity law established in 1516 by Dukes Willhelm IV and Ludwig X of Bavaria. This law established that beer may be made of only water, malt, and hops. Little was known of yeast back then, so it was not included in the regulations.

Every May, the Sacramento Turn Verein German Language School hosts the Maifest, a family-friendly celebration of the arrival of spring! This festive event includes German Maypole dancers, German music, picnic food, puppet shows, face painting, crafts, story-telling, adult Biergarten, Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake), and the famous “Maibowle” drink, which contains strawberries soaked in brandy.

Admission: $5 per adult and free for children under 12.

Held every year to honor the Sacramento Turn Verein founders, this event is for active members and their guests. This anniversary celebration has evolved over the years—and has ranged from a public open-house celebration to more exclusive all-you-can-eat-and-drink BBQ festivities.

2025 – Please register based on the email received from the Turn Verein.

Sacramento’s best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration, this famous festival occurs every October and includes:

• Authentic German Beer on Tap, wine, and German food
• Outdoor Biergarten
• Live music from three different bands
• Kid-friendly activities
• German music and dancers

Every year, revelers come to the Turn Verein to eat, drink, and dance like a tried-and-true German. It’s like a piece of Munich, right in Sacramento!

History

Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) of Bavaria (the grandfather of “Mad” King Ludwig II) started this historic tradition when he married Princess Theresia of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Ludwig gave an open wedding invitation to the people of Munich—and about 40,000 of them came. The Prince set up tents in a field on the outskirts of Munich, later called ‘Theresienwiese’ (Theresa’s Meadow), in honor of his lady. To entertain the crowd, he organized a horse race and supplied copious amounts of beer. Everyone had such a good time that they decided to hold the horse race (and beer drinking) again the next year, but this time in conjunction with the state agricultural show. The local brewers realized that they could sell a lot of beer in a very short time, which is the reason why it has become a 16-day extravaganza ending the first Sunday in October. The rest, as they say, is history.

Sacramento’s best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration, this famous festival occurs every October and includes:

• Authentic German Beer on Tap, wine, and German food
• Outdoor Biergarten
• Live music from three different bands
• Kid-friendly activities
• German music and dancers

Every year, revelers come to the Turn Verein to eat, drink, and dance like a tried-and-true German. It’s like a piece of Munich, right in Sacramento!

History

Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) of Bavaria (the grandfather of “Mad” King Ludwig II) started this historic tradition when he married Princess Theresia of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Ludwig gave an open wedding invitation to the people of Munich—and about 40,000 of them came. The Prince set up tents in a field on the outskirts of Munich, later called ‘Theresienwiese’ (Theresa’s Meadow), in honor of his lady. To entertain the crowd, he organized a horse race and supplied copious amounts of beer. Everyone had such a good time that they decided to hold the horse race (and beer drinking) again the next year, but this time in conjunction with the state agricultural show. The local brewers realized that they could sell a lot of beer in a very short time, which is the reason why it has become a 16-day extravaganza ending the first Sunday in October. The rest, as they say, is history.

25th Annual Christkindlmarkt. Benefiting multiple charities in the Sacramento area.

Christmas Music, Arts, Crafts, Ornaments, Cookies and Cakes for sale, Nurnberg sausage dinner, Gluhwein, Authentic Saint Nickolaus.

In the German outdoor Christmas Markets tradition, the Sacramento Turn Verein offers the community an annual Christkindlmarkt for holiday shopping and entertainment. Highlights of this festive weekend-long event include:

• 22 booths featuring local vendors
• Traditional German food and baked Christmas treats
• Glühwein, also known as mulled wine
• Daily appearances of Santa Claus and the German Christkind

Note: All vendor stations for the 2025 Christkindlmarkt are sold out.  To join the waiting list for 2026 vendors, call 916-442-7360 or email stv@sacramentoturnverein.com.

History In many towns in Germany and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the town’s Christmas Market, also called a Christkindlmarkt (Christ child market). Generally held in the town square and pedestrian zones, the market combines food and drink in the open air, shopping, pageantry, and tradition. On opening night and, in some towns, every night, onlookers welcome the Christkind, or Christ child, in the form of a golden-haired angel, played by local youth.

The most famous Christmas markets are held in Nürnberg, Dresden, and Stuttgart, making them popular tourist stops. Each year, the Nürnberg and Dresden markets draw about two million visitors, and the Stuttgart market attracts more than three million visitors. Other well-known markets are held in Köln, Bonn, Lübeck, Wien, Salzburg, and Villach.

Schedule: To Be posted soon.

 

25th Annual Christkindlmarkt. Benefiting multiple charities in the Sacramento area.

Christmas Music, Arts, Crafts, Ornaments, Cookies and Cakes for sale, Nurnberg sausage dinner, Gluhwein, Authentic Saint Nickolaus.

In the German outdoor Christmas Markets tradition, the Sacramento Turn Verein offers the community an annual Christkindlmarkt for holiday shopping and entertainment. Highlights of this festive weekend-long event include:

• 28 booths featuring local vendors
• Traditional German food and baked Christmas treats
• Glühwein, also known as mulled wine
• Daily appearances of Santa Claus and the German Christkind

Note: All vendor stations for the 2025 Christkindlmarkt are sold out.  To join the waiting list for 2026 vendors, call 916-442-7360 or email stv@sacramentoturnverein.com.

History In many towns in Germany and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the town’s Christmas Market, also called a Christkindlmarkt (Christ child market). Generally held in the town square and pedestrian zones, the market combines food and drink in the open air, shopping, pageantry, and tradition. On opening night and, in some towns, every night, onlookers welcome the Christkind, or Christ child, in the form of a golden-haired angel played by local youth.

The most famous Christmas markets are held in Nürnberg, Dresden, and Stuttgart, making them popular tourist stops. Each year, the Nürnberg and Dresden markets draw about two million visitors, and the Stuttgart market attracts more than three million visitors. Other well-known markets are held in Köln, Bonn, Lübeck, Wien, Salzburg, and Villach.

Schedule: To be posted soon.

The GACC – Library is implementing an old German proverb, “Übung macht den Meister” (in English, “Practice makes perfect”) in showing a hilarious German movie with a typically long German title for the thirteenth time:  Die Feuerzangenbowle. We welcome all of you cult followers and those who have previously missed this movie!

The film starts with a favorite German actor of the 1940s, Heinz Rühmann, playing the role of a young university professor and writer.  When he and his much older friends gather in a tavern to indulge in a favorite warm German winter drink, the Feuerzangenbowle, they get carried away by telling stories of their school years, remembering all the nasty tricks they played on their teachers in their youth.

In Germany today, die Feuerzangenbowle is a cult film.  Whenever it is ready to be shown, university students prepare by collecting manual alarm clocks, flashlights, and small bits of paper, which they crumple into spitballs, all to be implemented at the appropriate times during the movie.  (Note: your smartphones won’t be able to do it all!)

Today’s university students often bring their mulled hot, rum-spiked wine with them in thermos bottles, but that is not necessary for this event, as we will serve you the very same drink you see warming beneath the flame of the Feuerzangenbowle in the first scene of the movie.

About halfway through the film, we’ll pause to let you enjoy the visual delight and taste of the glowing, steaming Feuerzangenbowle, along with some finger food.  We will also serve a non-alcoholic punch.  Then we’ll return to watch the remainder of the movie.  You’ll find this a truly enjoyable evening that you won’t soon forget!

THE DETAILS
What: The showing of the 1944 film, “Die Feuerzangenbowle,” in German with English subtitles.
When:  Friday, January 16, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Don’t be late!
Where:  Sacramento Turn Verein, 3349 J St., Sacramento 95816, upstairs in the Banquet Hall; there is parking behind the STV off “I” Street between H & J, or on the street (watch for time limits!)
Admission:
$15.00 regular; $10 for full-time students with ID, or for enrolled GLS students; children 10 and under free.
Payment is at the door by check, cash, or credit card.
Admission includes the Feuerzangenbowle drink or non-alcoholic punch and substantial appetizers.  Other beverages will be available for purchase before the movie begins.  No alcoholic drinks will be served to minors.
The famous punch:  Warmed, mulled red wine into which sugar drips from a Zuckerhut (cone-shaped sugarloaf) and set alight—a beautiful sight, especially when the lights are turned down. (Come and see!)