York’s traditional Bavarian beer festival, Yorktoberfest, is coming back for 2025.
The city’s very own Oktoberfest promises plenty of laughs, live entertainment and lederhosen in a giant fully-styled beer tent. Visitors can expect delicious beers, German-inspired food, live music, and entertainment from international drag artist Velma Celli.
Yorktoberfest will return to the Clocktower Enclosure at York Racecourse on Friday 17 to Saturday 18 October and Friday 24 to Saturday 25 October 2025.
Now in its fifth successive year, the festival has proved hugely popular since its debut in 2021, with all sessions selling out last year. It follows in the traditions of the first Oktoberfest staged in Munich in 1810, where the citizens were encouraged to eat, drink and be merry at the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and his princess bride.
Dancing is encouraged, as it has been for over 200 years, as is the wearing of Lederhosen, Dirndls or any other fancy dress, with nightly competitions and prizes for the best dressed.
Returning this year is the internationally-acclaimed seven-piece live band, the Bavarian Strollers who will perform thigh-slapping, foot-stomping oompah tunes as well as feel-good disco classics.
Also returning to the stage is drag artist Velma Celli! Velma, alter-ego Ian Stroughair, has been mesmerising Yorktoberfest and audiences across the globe with her powerhouse and outrageous humour.
The Bavarian Bar will serve a variety of delicious beers from local supplier Brew York as well as a range of wines, prosecco, spirits and soft drinks. German-inspired food will also be available from The Dog Haus, catering for all tastes with the essential favourites of sausages, schnitzels and pretzels as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
Event organiser James Cundall, CEO of Jamboree Entertainment, said: “We will transform the giant marquee into a Bavarian festival scene, with rows of tables and benches down most of its 160m length, two performance stages, rustic carts full of wooden beer barrels, thatched wooden barns, flags galore and generally everything needed for a great night out.
“We are thrilled that Yorktoberfest has become so popular since its debut in 2021 and once again it promises evenings of hearty fun, with beer, a band and bratwurst, not to mention a sensational drag queen!
“With the early bird discount available until the end of June, now is the time to get your friends together and start planning the party!”
Tickets are already on sale! Prices are £25 per person for standard and £35 for VIP, with an early bird discount of £5 per ticket if booked before midday on 29th June.
To find out more and book your tickets, visit the Yorktoberfest website.