Waylon Krush, CEO of ZeroTrusted.AI
Central Florida embraces the German tradition of Oktoberfest with music, hearty food, and steins of beer. For 2025, the party is bigger than ever, and the centerpiece is Krush Brau Park in Kissimmee, which is transforming into the largest German beer garden in the United States. The veteran‑owned venue provides an immersive Bavarian experience and draws visitors from across the region. Below is an updated guide to Central Florida’s 2025 Oktoberfest celebrations, with an emphasis on what makes Krush Brau Park special.
Krush Brau Park – a Bavarian village in Kissimmee
Krush Brau Park is an ambitious project that redeveloped the site of the former Jungleland Zoo into a year‑round international food market and events center. Co‑founder Waylon Krush served in the U.S. Army in Germany and wanted to bring the spirit of a traditional beer hall home. The park is veteran‑owned and emphasizes giving back to the community; it plans a 9,000 sq‑ft main building with container eateries representing different countries and over 10 acres to enjoy your German beer.
For Oktoberfest 2025, the park will operate every weekend from Friday, September 27, through Sunday, November 2, making it the longest‑running celebration in Central Florida. The festival takes place under the “World Event Center” tent at 2198 Four Winds Boulevard, Kissimmee. There’s a Kick‑Off Party on September 27, followed by themed nights:
- Nightly keg‑tapping at 5 p.m. and a ceremonial toast signal the start of festivities
- Trachten Thursdays invite guests to wear lederhosen or dirndls for contests
- Fest Haus Fridays feature regional German specials, stein‑hoisting competitions, and live entertainment
- Family‑friendly weekends: live music, polka bands, and games run Friday through Sunday; children under 12 get free admission with an adult ticket
The atmosphere is designed to mimic a Munich beer tent. Rustic tables and benches are surrounded by traditional Bavarian décor, and visitors can sample imported beer and German comfort food such as bratwurst, pretzels, and sauerkraut. A “Prost!” toast echoes throughout as servers carry litre‑size steins.
Tickets and packages
General admission is free, allowing guests to purchase food and drinks à la carte. Several ticket packages bundle drinks, food, and souvenirs:
- Patriot Package ($10) – for veterans and first responders, includes one beverage and a pretzel.
- Prost Package ($30) – includes a beer, food item, and a souvenir.
- Cheers Package ($40) – adds a commemorative Krush Brau stein to the Prost Package.
- VIP Experience ($50) – VIP seating with two drinks, food, and a dessert.
Group packages and corporate tables are also available. Since the venue is veteran‑owned, discount tickets are offered to veterans, first responders, and teachers. Children under 12 enter for free with a paying adult.
More Central Florida Oktoberfest events
While Krush Brau Park’s festival is the most extensive in 2025, many other communities host their own celebrations. Here are the highlights:
The German American Society of Central Florida (GASCF) has been hosting Oktoberfests for more than 60 years. In 2025, the society holds two fests on Saturday, October 4 and Saturday, October 25 from noon to 9 p.m. at its Casselberry clubhouse. The events feature continuous entertainment, a Kids Korner with a bounce house and games, and live music inside and outside in the Biergarten. Authentic German meals—potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel, and strudel—pair with imported beer, and there are flag parades and a beer barrel tapping ceremony led by local dignitaries. Tickets cost $7 in advance or $10 at the gate, and children under 11 are free.
Avalon Park hosts its annual Oktoberfest in the downtown area. In 2025, the event includes a Beer Garden Preview on Friday, October 10 followed by the main celebration on Saturday, October 11, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors will find a beer garden, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and Alpine dancing. VIP tickets start at $40 and offer front‑row seating, snacks, and drinks.
Winter Park’s botanical gardens provide a picturesque setting for Winter Parktoberfest. The 2025 event takes place on Saturday, September 6 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Mead Botanical Garden, with a flag‑opening ceremony and a keg tapping performed by Mayor Sheila DeCiccio. Authentic dishes from Hollerbach’s German Restaurant complement German beer and wine, and family‑friendly activities and lawn games fill the evening.
Oviedo Amphitheatre & Cultural Center hosts Oviedo Oktoberfest from Thursday, September 25 to Saturday, September 27, 2025. Each day runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and features authentic German beer, food, live music, and contests. General admission is free, but guests can purchase beer punch cards in advance to avoid lines.
Other local celebrations
Beyond the headline festivals above, several breweries and neighborhoods host their own Oktoberfest‑themed parties:
- Oktoberfest Bash at Tactical Brewing (Baldwin Park) – Saturday September 6. The free event includes a Festbier can release, polka band, stein games and German‑style snacks.
- Deviant Wolfe Oktoberfest (Sanford) – Saturday September 20. German beers and food from Oldenburg Provisions.
- Pröst Fest at Ivanhoe Park Brewing (Orlando) – Saturday September 20. A homebrew festival with unlimited pours and live music.
- Home State Brewing Co. Oktoberfest (Winter Garden) – September 20. Live polka band, stein‑holding contests and a dunk tank.
- Gravity Taproom Kick‑Off Party (Maitland) – September 20. Live music and beer specials.
- Hollerbach’s Oktoberfest Kick‑Off (Sanford) – September 20 with additional celebrations on October 17 and 18.
- Celebration Brewing Oktoberfest (Celebration) – September 26–27. Exclusive Oktoberfest brews, German fare and games.
- Lake Nona Oktoberfest – Stein Hoisting Competition – Saturday September 27 at Lake Nona Town Center. Participants hold a full stein for as long as possible; winners keep the stein.
- Croctoberfest at St. Augustine Alligator Farm – October 4. Local breweries and vendors support conservation efforts.
- Boktoberfest at Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales) – October 17. Bavarian music and craft beer in a beautiful setting.
- Mount Dora Oktoberfest – November 2. German beer, food and polka in Mount Dora’s historic downtown.
How to make the most of Oktoberfest 2025
To ensure a memorable Oktoberfest experience, arrive early to claim a seat—many events do not reserve tables. Consider buying tickets or beer punch cards in advance to avoid lines, especially at large events like Krush Brau Park and Oviedo’s amphitheater. Traditional clothing (lederhosen and dirndls) is always welcome and may win prizes on Trachten Thursdays. Finally, support local breweries and cultural organizations; most of these festivals are organized by small business owners or community groups that rely on ticket sales and donations to continue bringing Bavarian culture to Central Florida.
Central Florida’s 2025 Oktoberfest season offers more options than ever. Krush Brau Park stands out with a six‑week schedule, authentic food and beer, special theme nights, and generous ticket packages. Traditional clubs like the German American Society of Central Florida continue multi‑decade traditions, while neighborhoods such as Avalon Park and Winter Park offer family‑friendly outdoor festivals. Whether you’re lifting a stein under the massive Krush Brau tent, dancing to polka music in Casselberry or strolling through a craft beer festival, Central Florida has an Oktoberfest celebration to suit every taste.
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