Saturday, October 10, 2026: 10AM-5PM

10AM              Oktoberfest Opens to Public

10AM-5PM      Summit Express Chairlift Rides

10AM-5PM      Arts & Crafts on C-Lot

10AM-5PM      Sports Shop Open – Lower Level Base                                    Lodge

11AM                 Oktoberfest Opening Ceremony

Noon-4PM       Harbour Towne Fest Band

11AM-5PM       Kids Fun Center  – Play Yard

4PM                 Bavarian Costume Contest – Dance Floor

5PM                 Oktoberfest Closes for the Day

Live Music

An Oktoberfest isn’t complete without the live sounds of an Oom Pah Band.

From noon until 4:00pm each day the Harbour Towne Fest Band guarantees to bring the sounds, dances and enthusiasm of Bavaria to Sugar Mountain.

Local artisans and craftsmen will show their wares on the ski area grounds Saturday & Sunday.

A wide variety of items from food to ironworks will be available for purchase to the public. Vendors interested in obtaining a booth should contact (828) 898-4521 ext. 223 or email vendors@skisugar.com. The two-day fee for a 12′ by 12′ display area is $200, subject to a $25 late fee after September 11th. The festivities will run from 10:00am ’til 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday.

Saturday at 4pm guests who show up on the dance floor in full Bavarian flare or in another Oktoberfest related costume can participate in the Oktoberfest Costume Contest. The winner will be determined by crowd response. Stick around for prizes.

Cost is free to participate.

Categories include Male 16 and under, Female 16 and under, Male 17 and older, Female 17 and older.

Enjoy the area’s fall foliage while riding the Summit Express Chairlift to the top of Sugar Mountain. The chairlift operates from 10:00am until 5:00pm on October 10 & 11, 2026.

For more information please visit our Chairlift Rides page.

Kids fun center operates from 11am until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Some of the activities include Fun Time inflatables, hay rides, corn hole, water balloon toss, and pumpkin bowling.

Kids Fun Center admission (includes hayride): $25

Hayride only: $7

Sugar Mountain Sports & Gift Shop

Shop for the upcoming fall and winter seasons at Sugar Mountain Resort’s Sports Shop located on the first level of the main lodge.

New 2027 winter merchandise arriving daily.

Commemorative Oktoberfest t-shirts and souvenir items can also be bought in the base lodge.

Held annually in the fall, Oktoberfest is a world famous German folk festival. It is considered one of the world’s most fun-filled celebrations.

For sixteen days, millions of visitors from all over the world enjoy parades, amusements, shows and, of course, lots of authentic German food like sausages, potato salad and apple strudel.

Oktoberfest is best known for the free-flowing, hearty German beer. The celebration officially begins each year when the Lord Mayor of the city taps the first keg – tapping of the first keg symbolizes the celebration of the season’s first brew.

The first Oktoberfest was held nearly 200 years ago in celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese. Since then, Oktoberfest has grown in size and stature and is know world-wide for its friendly & festive atmosphere.