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Click here for more information on our Oktoberfest.
Sacramento’s best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration, this famous festival occurs every October and includes:
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.
Click here for more information on our Oktoberfest.
Sacramento’s best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration, this famous festival occurs every October and includes:
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.
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Event Link
26th Annual Christkindlmarkt. Benefiting multiple charities in the Sacramento area.
Christmas Music, Arts, Crafts, Ornaments, Cookies and Cakes for sale, Nürnberg sausage dinner, Glühwein, Authentic Saint Nikolaus.
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 2026 Christkindlmarkt are sold out. To join the waiting list for 2027 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.
Please share the flyer; use the image below or download the PDF.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Event Link
26th Annual Christkindlmarkt. Benefiting multiple charities in the Sacramento area.
Christmas Music, Arts, Crafts, Ornaments, Cookies and Cakes for sale, Nürnberg sausage dinner, Glühwein, Authentic Saint Nikolaus.
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 2026 Christkindlmarkt are sold out. To join the waiting list for 2027 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.
Please share the flyer; use the image below or download the PDF.
