Gather in front of the main stage under Crown Center’s majestic terrace tent and the Polka Tent with covered seating for more than 1,000 merrymakers. Sit on benches with friends and family at our large Bierhalle-style tables and enjoy authentic Oktoberfest bier, food, and music. Celebrate, toast, sing, and sway – PROST!
Rain or shine, the music will play, and the bier will pour under the big tents!
Entertainment Schedule 2025 SCHEDULE
Friday
Main Stage (South)
| 5:00PM–6:00PM | Uber Cool |
| 6:30PM | Opening Ceremony |
| 7:00PM–7:30PM | Uber Cool |
| 7:30PM | Costume Contest – Best Dressed |
| 8:00PM–9:15PM | Die Schlauberger |
| 9:15PM | Masskrugstemmen M & F Finals |
| 9:30PM–11:00PM | Die Schlauberger |
Polka Stage (North)
| 7:00PM–11:00PM | Polka Brothers – Break at 8:30 |
Games Area
| Level 1 (Street) | Corn Hole & Jenga |
| Level 2 | Hammerschlagen |
| Level 3 | Giant Bier Pong Alley, 11 lanes available |
| 7:30PM | Masskrugstemmen* |
*Male & Female Qualifiers Level 2 (Check in at tent)
Wein/Street Tent
| 5:00PM-7:30PM | Baric Brothers |
| 7:30PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 8:30PM–11:00PM | Polkanauts |
Roaming Entertainment
| 5:00PM–8:00PM | Gordie Davidson & Music Grinder |
| 6:45PM-9:45PM | Jack Reid Magic |
Food Court
| 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 | Glockenspiel Performance |
Saturday
Main Stage (South)
| 11:00AM–2:30PM | Baric Brothers |
| 2:30PM | Schuhplattler – German Dancers |
| 3:00PM–7:00PM | Uber Cool – 4:30 (break/table change) |
| 7:00PM–7:30PM | Masskrugstemmen M & F Finals |
| 7:30PM–11:00PM | Die Schlauberger |
| 9:00PM–9:15PM | Costume Contest – Best Dressed |
Polka Stage (North)
| 11:00AM-2:00PM | The Happy Wanderers |
| 2:00PM–6:30PM | Polkanauts – Break at 4:15 |
| 4:30PM & 6:30PM | Schuhplattler – German Dancers |
| 4:15PM & 8:30PM | Alphorn Horns |
| 7:00PM–11:00PM | Polka Brothers – Break at 8:30 |
Wein/Street Tent
| 1:00PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 3:00PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 12:00PM–5:00PM | Polka on Steroids – Break during Wein Presentation |
| 5:00PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 7:00PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 7:30PM–11:00PM | Big Time Piano Show |
Games Area
| Level 1 (Street) | Corn Hole & Jenga |
| Level 2 | Hammerschlagen |
| Level 3 | Giant Bier Pong Alley, 11 lanes available |
| 3:30PM & 5:30 PM | Masskrugstemmen* |
*Male & Female Qualifiers Level 2 (Check in at Tent)
Roaming Entertainment
| 12:00PM–6:00PM | Gordie Davidson & Music Grinder |
| 12:15PM–3:45PM | Magic Jack |
| 1:00PM–4:00PM | Stilt Walker/Juggler |
| 4:00PM–7:00PM | Magician |
| 4:00PM–8:00PM | Oktoberfest Brass Band |
Food Court
| 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 | Glockenspiel Performance |
Entertainers and Bands
Die Schlauberger
A seven-piece Alpine Rock powerhouse whose mission is “keeping the traditionalists on their feet and the new generation engaged.” With a stage setup including vocals, guitars, bass, drums, accordions, fiddles and horns, die Schlauberger (German for “know it all”) performs sets blending energetic renditions of German favorites to medleys of American classic rock and pop.
ÜberCool
ÜberCool brings together German fest standards and party rock to make every event full of Gemütlichkeit. “Mustang Sally” has been replaced by “Mercedes Heidi,” and their high-energy German standards get the party going. From “Roll out the Barrel” to Rammstein, ÜberCool’s show is entertaining and full of German flavor.
The Polka Brothers
A well-oiled four-piece polka machine boasting a fearless repertoire that includes classic polka favorites, covers of modern pop and rock in polka style, and original polka party songs, spreading the joy of polka, one wild party at a time.
Polkanauts
A genre-defining band known for its unique blend of polka, rock and metal. Rooted in traditional polka beats but given a fresh twist with electric guitars, melodies, and a modern edge. With Tongues firmly in cheek the ‘Nauts bring infectious hooks & fast paced energetic performances. That playful spirit has earned them a loyal following. The band is celebrated for its ability to keep audiences on their feet, blending fast-paced traditional polka songs & rhythms with heavy rock, punk, surf, pop, country and folk elements. Their music creates a vibrant atmosphere and that draws crowds in, making them a staple for the Oktoberfest live scene.
The Polkanauts – Metal by Birth-Polka by Choice!
Big Time Piano Band
Big Time Dueling Pianos, from Kansas City MO., is an all-request, interactive show. The audience has the opportunity to participate in the show by requesting popular songs that they want to hear. We play a wide variety of music from the past 60 years consisting of dance-pop, rock, country, hip-hop and rap.
Big Time dueling pianos is comprised of two piano players and a drummer. All the band members sing. Our presentation is a combination of traditional dueling pianos and a party band; the show is spontaneous, no set lists, upbeat, high energy, danceable, non-stop and most of all, a lot of fun!
Polka on Steroids
Led by accomplished pianist and accordionist Bram Wijnands, who has crafted a unique entertainment experience for more than 25 years in Kansas City, Polka on Steroids leads audiences through a show of polka and Kansas City-style fun.
Gordie Davidson and his Music Grinder
KC Bier Oktoberfest will bring back Grinder Gordie with
his genuine German Street Organ. Gordie is a retired Army Engineer who
developed an interest in Buskering during his overseas tours in West Berlin and
Hanau, Germany. After Europe, he entertained in and around the Greater Kansas City Area for 21-years prior to retiring in West Michigan. His street organ was built by Josef Raffin in Überlingen, Germany, located in southern Bavaria near Lake Konstanz. Grinder Gordie is an interactive ground attraction that encourages audience participation. All spectators are invited to come grind out a tune and earn a Certificate of Performance. Bring your mobile phones to shoot some awesome video.
Baric Brothers
Born and raised in the Kansas City area, the Baric Brothers hail from KCK’s historic Strawberry Hill. The two have been performing around the city since they were both in high school. Both Jim and Joe studied accordion under Polka legend Don Lipovac and have a solid and extensive repertoire of music that spans most of Europe and America. The two of them have performed around the country, from LA to Washington D.C., Raise a stein as you give them a listen and let their alter egos Hans and Franz pump you up! Ziggy Zoggy Oy Oy Oy!
The Happy Wanderers
A local 5-piece band from Kansas City. Playing all the traditional polka just for you!
Alphorn Horns
Look for these 2 roaming the grounds on Friday and Saturday. They will begin the opening ceremony on Friday night and help kick off KC Oktoberfest!
Jack Reid Magic
Award winning magician Jack Reid will be roaming KC Oktoberfest Friday and Saturday! He will astonish you with a personal table side magic show. Have minds ready to be blown!
Games & Competitions
In the center of the festival, but the Games & Competitions Area will host three classic German-style competitions that are annual favorites, equally fun for the competitors and spectators! Classic lawn games like bag toss and giant-sized Connect 4 will be available for festival guests to enjoy.
LINKS ARE LISTED BELOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE MASSKRUGSTEMMEN & COSTUME CONTESTS!
Friday
| 7:30 pm | Masskrugstemmen Male and Female Qualifiers | Games Area |
| 7:30 pm | Best Dressed Bavarian Costume Contest | Main Stage |
| 9:15 pm | Masskrugstemmen Finals | Main Stage |
Saturday day
| 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm | Masskrugstemmen Male and Female Qualifiers | Games Area |
| 7:00 pm | BMasskrugstemmen Finals | Main Stage |
| 9:00 pm | Best Dressed Bavarian Costume Contest | Main Stage |
To participate in the Masskrugstemmen or Best Dressed Bavarian, you must register using this link:
Masskrugstemmen: A test of strength and endurance, Masskrugstemmen is a stein-hoisting competition in which the goal is to outlast your competitors in hoisting a full liter of bier for as long as you can stand. We’ll have men’s and women’s competitions, both of which will follow the rules set forth by the U.S. Stein Holding Association. If you plan to compete, be sure to study up!
Hammerschlagen: German for “hammer strike,” Hammerschlagen is a group game in which participants compete against each other to drive nails into a wooden stump, a skill which requires more finesse than power. A game manager will be on-site to assist with setup, reviewing the rules and keeping the games safe and enjoyable for all.
“Best Dressed Bavarian”
Break out your lederhosen and dirndl and compete in our annual Bavarian-Style “Best-Dressed” competition, with rounds for both men and women. Get creative and do your best to win the crowd!
Kids & Family Activities
FREE family-friendly activities including inflatables, giant connect 4, giant jenga, leapin lizard, skeeball, ricochet, king of the hill, bags, and various arts and crafts activities including pretzel necklace, a coloring station and more!
Hague Quality Water
Stop by and play the Olsa wooden throwing game. How good is your aim?
State Farm
Marketplace
Local merchandise and apparel, Bavarian-inspired souvenirs, and other goods!
Handmade clay jewelry
EaRationale
Hand-make, customize, and repurpose all sorts of jewelry.
Deutsches Haus
Hats imported from Germany, feathers, and pins
Ivy Lena
Handcrafted jewelry and accessories.
Nine Leather & Watch
Handmade leather goods: wallets, passport cases, key fobs, clutch bags, and other small leather goods, also stained-glass handmade lamps.
Novelty Trade
German gifts, T shirts, hats, jerseys, and flags including your favorite soccer teams. Also, traditional flower halos and hats for all.
Original Light UP Scarf. Light UP Mantel Scarf, Light UP Table Runner, Solar Powered Light UP Garden Flag, Light UP Canine Collar and Cape! All our products are rechargeable, and we donate $3 from sale of each to the Best Buddies Jobs Program – working tirelessly to secure employment for the intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) community.
KC Bier Company
Your go-to stop for KC Oktoberfest commemorative shirts, KC Bier Company shirts, hoodies, bottle openers and other brewery swag.
At Rutland Hat Co, we specialize in crafting high-quality, custom leather patches and personalized hats for men (and women too!).
Customers can choose from an array of hand-made leather patches and hats to create a one-of-a-kind ball cap.
DRINK IN NATURE
Handcrafted Apparel & Goods Inspired by Nature
EB & FLO BREAD CO.
- Sourdough Loaves
- Apricot and Almond
- Marzipan and Apple Cinnamon
- Classic
- Rosemary Garlic
- Sourdough pretzel twists
- Sourdough gingerbread cookies
- Sourdough cinnamon rolls with brown butter icing
Handmade chunky knit blankets made out of polyester chenille yarn. Offered in 5 different sizes and over 30 different colors. The yarn used is hypoallergenic and the blankets are machine washable.
“Handmade earrings using multiple mediums and a custom charm bar where you can create your own necklace, bracelet, or keychain. Unique, personal pieces made just for you!”
AGAINST THE GRAIN WOODWORKING
Handmade home decore and gifts
Learn all about Easter Seals and what they do for our community. They provide support for children and adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities.
- Zimtsterne (Cinnamon-Almond Star Cookies)
- Vanillekipferl (Vanilla-Almond Crescent Cookies)
- Zitronenherzen (Lemon Heart Cookies)
- Schmalzkuchen (Mini Donut Bites)
- Mini Gugelhupf (German Bundt Cakes)
- Gebrannte Madeln (Candied Almonds)
- Franzbrötchen (German Cinnamon Rolls)
Ethereal Cigars brings the art of premium hand-rolled cigars to Oktoberfest with a unique twist of old-world craftsmanship and celebration. Our live cigar-rolling experience adds a touch of tradition and class to the festivities, perfectly complementing the rich flavors of German beer, bratwurst, and Bavarian culture. Guests can watch cigars being rolled on-site and enjoy a smooth, flavorful smoke, making your Oktoberfest event truly unforgettable. Ethereal Cigars is owned and operated by Danica Baird, a certified Master Tobacconist, 1 of 15 in the United States.
3D Play Makers
Fun for the kids & adults!
MODERN LUX
Permanent Jewelry booth will be ready to complete your Oktoberfest aesthetic!
PURE PEPPER CO.
Pure Pepper Co is a small batch, flavor first Hot Sauce maker. Pure Ingredients – Pure Fermentation – Pure Flavor
German Culture
KC Oktoberfest aims to not only recreate an authentic Munich-style Oktoberfest with bier, food and music, but to also promote German culture and history in the Kansas City region. The German Culture exhibit area will feature a walk-through exhibit by the Jackson County Historical Society highlighting the migration of Germans to the Midwest.
Glockenspiel
The Blautaler Schuhplattler of KC perform short skits based on the history of the Glockenspiel Clock of Munich Germany. Performances on Friday at 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00. Saturday, they perform at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00.
Kansas City Library
Germans and bier have been a part of Kansas City for decades. Learn about the Tivoli Beer Garden and other historical buildings that was once stood in the location of the Crown Center area we know of today.
