Starting Friday, Oktoberfest returns for its eighth year at SteelStacks. Enjoy two weekends packed with live music and entertainment, plus German-inspired food and beer, Oct. 5-7 and 12-14.

Opening weekend highlights include:

NEW! Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition | Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.
The strong-willed and strong-stomached battle it out to see who will be the very first Oktoberfest Bethlehem Bratwurst Eating Champion! The day’s winner receives a $250 cash prize.

Oktoberfest Stein Hoisting Championships | Oct. 5, 6 and 7, hourly on the hour
Whoever can hold their beer up high the longest wins a prize and is crowned the Oktoberfest Stein Hoisting Champion!

The Hasselhoff-Off | Oct. 5, 8 p.m.  
Competitors do their best David Hasselhoff impersonation as they perform German karaoke, do a “Sharknado 3” beach rescue, talk to a car, and more. 

NEW! Inaugural Weiner Dog Parade | Oct. 6, 2 p.m.
Enter your dachshund in our first Weiner Dog Parade! Pups can don their favorite costume, march around the festival, and possibly be crowned King or Queen. 

Oktoberfest Dachshund Races | Oct. 6 & 7, 3 p.m. 
The annual running of the wiener dogs is back! Watch as the dachshunds face off in this yearly spectacle. 

Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk | Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m.

Oktoberfest is a free-admission festival that takes place at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem. Hours are Fridays, 5-10 p.m.; Saturdays, noon-10 p.m.; and Sundays, noon-6 p.m. For more information, visit steelstacks.org/oktoberfest.