OB Oktoberfest is throwing it back to Y2K this year. The 21+ beer garden takes over the Ocean Beach Pier parking lot on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, 2026, with a bigger beachfront footprint, two stages, 2-for-1 beer happy hours, stein holding, and a No Doubt tribute band. Fortunate Youth plays Friday night.
It is a beach-town Oktoberfest, run for more than 20 years to raise money for the neighborhood. General admission is sold only at the gate. Here is the schedule, what it costs, and how to get there, from the festival’s official site and ticket page as of September 28, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Friday, October 9, 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, October 10, noon to 11:30 p.m. |
| Where | OB Pier Parking Lot, 5099 Newport Ave., San Diego, CA 92107, where Newport Avenue meets the pier |
| Highlights | Fortunate Youth, No Duh (No Doubt tribute), American Idiots (Green Day tribute). One Saturday slot still to be announced |
| Ages | 21+ only, valid ID required, no exceptions |
| Tickets | $20 general admission at the gate only. VIP listed at $81.88 on Eventbrite |
| Re-entry | Priority re-entry with VIP |
| Happy hour | 2-for-1 beers Friday until 5 p.m. and Saturday until 1 p.m. |
| Official site | oboktoberfest.com |
Who’s playing
Two stages: live bands on the Jägermeister Main Stage and DJs on the Buzz Cannabis Electronica Stage. Set times as posted:
Friday, October 9
| Main Stage | Act |
|---|---|
| 4:20 p.m. | Electric Waste Band |
| 6:15 p.m. | Doah’s Daydream |
| 8 p.m. | Fortunate Youth |
| 10 p.m. | Band of Gringos |
Electronica Stage: Acacia (4 p.m.), Bondar (5 p.m.), Brett Rubin (6 p.m.), Getto Blaster (7 p.m.), Gene Farris (8:30 p.m.).
Saturday, October 10
| Main Stage | Act |
|---|---|
| Noon | y2k2k! |
| 1:30 p.m. | No Duh (No Doubt tribute) |
| 3:15 p.m. | The Bay Birds |
| 5 p.m. | Three Legged Dog |
| 6:45 p.m. | Headliner to be announced |
| 8:30 p.m. | Porcelain |
| 10:15 p.m. | American Idiots (Green Day tribute) |
Electronica Stage: Match.a.Mor (noon), Rui (1:30 p.m.), Susio b2b Hylas (2:30 p.m.), Sharázz (4 p.m.), Mango & Ginger (5 p.m.), Luke Andy (6:30 p.m.), then the Y2K After Dark Neon Party with DGTL CLR (8 p.m.) and Travi Trav (9 p.m.).
The Y2K game plan
The theme runs through the whole weekend. How to play it:
- Friday is Flashback Friday Locals Night. Show up before 5 p.m. for 2-for-1 beers, then catch the Local Legends Stein Hold at 7:30 p.m. and cash grab giveaways.
- Saturday daytime is the OB+RL Beach Party, noon to 5 p.m., with the Y2K Lip Sync Battle (1 p.m.), a 2000’s Dance Off (2:45 p.m.), and the Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest Bikini Contest (4:15 p.m.). Beers are 2-for-1 until 1 p.m.
- Saturday night goes neon with the Y2K After Dark party on the Electronica Stage, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Dress the part. The festival says to dust off your lederhosen. Mixing that with your best 2003 look is up to you.
Contests
Sign-ups are free, first come, first served, at the contest tent near the stage.
- Pretzel Toss: Friday 5:45 p.m. and Saturday.
- Men’s and Women’s Stein Holding: Friday 9:30 p.m., Saturday 9:45 p.m.
- Brat Eating Competition: Saturday 6:15 p.m.
- Limbo: Saturday 8 p.m.
What’s on tap
The beer garden pours classic German brews and local beer, plus seltzers and spirits. There will also be food and local vendors. The festival has not published a full beer or food list.
Tickets
- General admission: $20, sold on site the day of the event only. There is no GA presale. The festival says the money supports its community partners.
- VIP is sold in advance on Eventbrite, listed at $81.88 on September 28. It includes entry, a custom one-liter “OB2K Oktoberfest” mug filled with two beers, access to the Main Stage VIP area and restrooms, and priority re-entry. Check in at Will Call for priority entry. Eventbrite lists refunds up to 7 days before the event.
- ID: everyone needs a valid ID showing they are 21 or older.
Getting there
The festival itself admits parking in OB can be tough, and the beer garden sits on the pier parking lot, so plan on rideshare. The designated pickup and drop-off spot is at Saratoga Avenue and Abbott Street.
If you drive, the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association lists free street parking around the neighborhood (check signs for time limits) and paid lots, including the Wonderland lot in the alley along Abbott Street between Santa Monica and Newport avenues, the lot on Santa Monica Avenue near Bacon Street, and the lot at 1858 Cable Street, half a block from Newport Avenue.
What to bring, and what to leave
- Bring: a valid photo ID and your VIP ticket if you bought one.
- Leave at home: backpacks and large bags, which are not allowed.
- Leave the dog home too. Pets are not allowed in the beer garden.
Giving back
OB Oktoberfest says it has donated more than $850,000 to local organizations over its 20-plus years. It is presented with the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association and organized by the Hoy Hoy Boys, the organizer named on its ticketing page.
Accessibility
The festival has not posted accessibility information. Questions can go through the contact form on the official site, or to the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association at (619) 224-4906.
Still to come
The Saturday 6:45 p.m. headliner slot was marked “Announced 9.27” but was not yet filled in on the festival site when this guide was written. A beer list and food vendor list have not been posted. The 824 Journal will update this guide when they are.
Sources
- OB Oktoberfest, official site (dates, lineup, contests, VIP, rideshare)
- OB Oktoberfest: 2026 schedule (hours and set times)
- OB Oktoberfest: Beer Garden
- OB Oktoberfest: FAQs (21+, bags, GA price, pets)
- Eventbrite: OB Oktoberfest 2026 (address, VIP price and inclusions, refund policy, check-in)
- Ocean Beach MainStreet Association: OB Oktoberfest
- Ocean Beach MainStreet Association: OB Public and Paid Parking
Featured photo: Blervis via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
