Slightly more than a weeks out, there’s a buzz of activity underway to pull off the best Crossville Oktoberfest yet. The humongous tents aren’t set up yet, the dance floor hasn’t been put down and the kegs aren’t chilled, but don’t let that fool you; preparations have been underway for months and organizers are busy finalizing plans.
Crossville Oktoberfest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17, at the Knights of Columbus festival grounds, 2892 Highway 70 East in Crossville. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. both days.
The timing of the event – the third weekend in October – also allows for some lovely leaf peeping across Tennessee. So, while you’re out doing that, why not stop in for a refreshing brew and an authentic German-style meal? Each year, Crossville Oktoberfest draws more than 2,000 attendees – from all across Tennessee, and from as far as Ohio and Michigan.
Event chairman John Peaslee said everything is on track to make this year’s event truly spectacular.
“Each year our committee works to build on past successes and learn from what maybe didn’t go so well the year before,” he said. “This one’s our landmark 35th annual Crossville Oktoberfest, and it’s going to be our biggest and best event yet.”
From all indications, he’s right. The kitchen serves up roughly 3,000 meals during the festival. The bar pours countless cups, flights and pitchers of beer. The snack bar doles out untold pounds of free peanuts and popcorn, and sells hundreds of soft pretzels (alongside multiple quarts of beer cheese). Three bands play continuous music all day, both days. And dozens of revelers at a time share space on the dance floor.
And then there’s the Crossville Oktoberfest merchandise: Hoodies, T-shirts, hats, buttons and wrist bands are available for sale.
Merchandising coordinator Chuck Elgin said he was amazed by what sold best last year.
“I never expected to sell out of pink T-shirts, but because October is breast-cancer awareness month, those were the ones that flew off the shelves,” he said. “We’ve ordered plenty more pink merchandise for this year.”
Returning this year are the Frank Moravcik Band and the Olde Time German Band, made up of members of the Cumberland County Community Band. Joining the lineup for 2026 is the Nashville-based Radio Incorporated Band.
New this year, official spotters are being dispatched in the final weeks before the event, looking for folks sporting their Crossville Oktoberfest merchandise in public.
“If we catch you out and about in your Oktoberfest merch, you get a free admission ticket,” said publicity coordinator Rita Reali. “Of course, that doesn’t mean you get in free if you show up to the gate wearing your Oktoberfest gear. It’s got to be before the festival opens.”
Also this year, the parking area has been broadly expanded, to more easily accommodate the throngs who descend upon the Knights of Columbus festival grounds.
Now if only the weather would cooperate.
Meteorologist Mark Baldwin, who’s been predicting the weather for the Cumberland Plateau since 2017, expects conditions for the third weekend of October to be favorable, citing an average high of 68 degrees and average low of 48 degrees. He said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration outlook for the month is for temperatures to be slightly above normal, with precipitation rates at normal levels.
“The greatest risk we face in October comes from tropical systems that may make their way north toward the Plateau,” Baldwin said. “However, with this year’s El Nino firmly in place, the risk for that is very low.”
He said El Nino years tend to spawn greater wind shear over the Gulf and the Atlantic, creating “hostile conditions for tropical systems to develop in our part of the world.” And that’s good news.
Baldwin noted the Plateau only averages 3 inches of rainfall in October, adding, “October is our driest month of the year, increasing the chances for good weather for outdoor events.”
So conditions are favorable for good weather for Crossville Oktoberfest.
Tickets for the festival are $9 in advance, $11 at the gate. Kids 12 and younger, active-duty and retired military admitted free. For additional information, menu and beverage offerings, directions or to purchase tickets online, visit CrossvilleOktoberfest.com.