Free-to-attend festival brings 35+ breweries, 50 food trucks, 40 local businesses, live music, Oktoberfest games and North Carolina craft beer to Fayetteville Street on September 26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2026 — Grab your stein, break out the lederhosen and get ready to say “Prost!” as NC Oktoberfest – Prost Y’all takes over downtown Raleigh on Saturday, September 26, from 1–8 p.m.
The brand-new Oktoberfest-inspired street festival will transform Fayetteville Street into a celebration of North Carolina craft beer, local food, small businesses, live music and fall fun and best of all, admission is free and open to the public.
With more than 35 breweries and cideries, approximately 50 food trucks and 40 local businesses and makers, NC Oktoberfest – Prost Y’all will bring thousands of people downtown for an afternoon designed to celebrate the best of North Carolina’s local business and craft beverage communities.
“This is really about bringing people together to celebrate fall, celebrate North Carolina beer and, most importantly, celebrate our local businesses,” said Jennifer Martin, Executive Director of Shop Local Raleigh. “We wanted to create something that feels like a true Raleigh street festival with great beer, great food, music, shopping and a whole lot of fun. And because it’s free to attend, everyone can come downtown and be part of it.”
The festival comes about halfway between Brewgaloo weekends, giving craft beer fans another opportunity to discover breweries from across the state without waiting until spring. While Brewgaloo has become one of Raleigh’s signature craft beer festivals, NC Oktoberfest – Prost Y’all offers a distinctly fall and Oktoberfest-inspired experience.
Festival-goers can expect to find Oktoberfest and fall seasonal beers alongside year-round fan favorites, with participating breweries bringing a wide variety of North Carolina craft beer and cider to downtown Raleigh. Beer drinkers can purchase drink tickets and enjoy their beverages in a Raleigh street-festival-approved stein like cup, adding to the authentic Oktoberfest atmosphere.
And attendees are encouraged to dress the part. Lederhosen, dirndls, German-inspired outfits and creative Oktoberfest attire are highly encouraged!
Beyond the beer, the festival will feature plenty of ways to get into the Oktoberfest spirit, including:
- 🍺 35+ North Carolina breweries and cideries
- 🥨 Pretzel-eating contest
- 🍻 Stein-hoisting competition
- 🎳 Keg bowling
- 🎶 Live music and DJs
- 🚚 50 food trucks
- 🛍️ 40+ local businesses, makers and vendors
- 🍺 Fall and Oktoberfest beers plus year-round favorites
- 🇩🇪 German-inspired festival atmosphere
- 🥨 Oktoberfest-themed games and activities
- 🐶 Dog-friendly festival environment
- 🎟️ Free admission
The event will feature breweries and beverage producers from throughout North Carolina, giving attendees the opportunity to discover new favorites while supporting the state’s independent craft beverage industry. The current participating brewery and cider lineup includes producers from Raleigh and communities across North Carolina.
The food and shopping experience will be equally diverse, with dozens of food trucks and local businesses participating throughout the festival. The event website currently lists more than 40 food trucks and more than 30 local vendors and makers.
“Events like this create an important connection between consumers and the small businesses that make our community unique,” Martin said. “People come downtown for the festival, but they’re also eating, shopping, staying, exploring and spending money throughout the local economy. That’s exactly what Shop Local Raleigh wants to create.”
A Fall Festival for Everyone. NC Oktoberfest – Prost Y’all is designed to be a family-friendly, community-focused street festival, with free admission and activities for people who may or may not be drinking beer. Guests can enjoy the food trucks, vendors, music and entertainment without purchasing beer.
For those who do want to sample the beer, drink tickets will be available, and guests must be 21 or older to consume alcohol.
The festival will take place along Fayetteville Street in the heart of Downtown Raleigh from 1–8 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
NC Oktoberfest – Prost Y’all is part of a larger mission to create events that bring people together while supporting independently owned businesses, local entrepreneurs, restaurants, breweries and makers.
So grab your friends, grab your stein and get ready to raise a glass:
Prost, Y’all!
WHAT: NC Oktoberfest – Prost Y’all
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 1–8 p.m.
WHERE: Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public
FEATURING: 35+ breweries & cideries • 50 food trucks • 40 local businesses • Live music • Oktoberfest beers • Stein-hoisting contest • Pretzel-eating contest • Keg bowling • Local vendors & more
More information: Shop Local Raleigh – NC Oktoberfest: Prost Y’all
About Shop Local Raleigh
Shop Local Raleigh (SLR) is part of a growing national movement of communities rallying to support their independent businesses. Shop Local Raleigh is about connecting, supporting and growing independent businesses to strengthen and enrich our community. SLR currently serves over 880 locally owned and independent businesses. Businesses and consumers can learn more at www.shoplocalraleigh.org.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Martin
Executive Director, Shop Local Raleigh
jennifer@shoplocalraleigh.org
919-755-9235
