Oktoberfest: Beer, music, food and fun

RALEIGH, N.C. — While the weather is getting cooler, restaurants and bars around the area are gearing up - not for fall - but for Oktoberfest!

Saturday, Sept. 27: Rocktoberfest at Guglhupf Bakery. Guglhupf has a special lineup of German and local beers ready, as well as live music. Enjoy German street food on the patio. Reservations are not needed.

Saturday, Sept. 27: Octoberfest at Bull City Burger and Brewery. They're closing East Parrish Street for an afternoon of live music, German food and more. There will also be a kid's play area.

Saturday, Sept. 27: Oktoberfest 5K and Party at Carolina Brewery. Wake up for the 5K race in Pittsboro, stay for breakfast and party in the afternoon with live music, beer, and German fare. A portion of the proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Tuesday, Sept. 30: Oktoberfest Cooking Class at Durham Spirits Company. Create a German menu, including German potato salad and black forest cake, and enjoy German beer. Tickets are $59.

Thursday, Oct. 2: Casktoberfest at Big Boss Brewing. A celebration of Germany's Oktoberfest and the UK's Real Ale Week, this event features a huge selection of cask ales.

Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4: Triangle Oktoberfest at MacGregor Village. A Rotary Club fundraiser, this event features Bavarian fare, beer, a "Kinder Platz" kid's zone and more. Tickets are $5-$45.

Saturday, Oct. 4: Oktoberfest Bash at Carolina Brewing Company. This event is a fundraiser for the National MS Society. Enjoy beer, food trucks CJs Street Food and Big Mike's BBQ, and live music from Peak City Blues Project and Gimme Shelter.

Saturday, Oct. 4: A Southern Take on Oktoberfest at A Southern Season. Whip up a German meal with a Southern twist. There will be German beer pairings, too. Tickets are $40.

Sunday, Oct. 12: Oktoberfest at The Oak. A free, family-friendly event, this celebration includes a kid's zone, live music and Oktoberfest-themed specials inside the restaurant. As for beer, guests can try Highlander, Docs Pumpkin Cider, Bell's Best Brown, Brooklyn Oktoberfest and more.

Friday, Oct. 17: Oktoberfest with Bombshell Brewing Class at Whisk. Whisk is throwing a party where guests will learn how to prepare a festive German menu paired with Bombshell beer. Tickets are $59.

Saturday, Oct. 18: Oktoberfest Run Green 8K at Moore Square. Downtown Raleigh is the site of a fun run and after party. Registered runners get a free beer after the run, and all participants will be entered to win a $3,000 travel voucher.

Saturday, Oct. 18: Cloudtoberfest at CloudBearing HQ in downtown Raleigh. Have fun while doing good in the community, as CloudBearing hopes to raise $10,000 for Communities in Schools of Wake County. A $35 ticket includes unlimited food, drinks and access to live music and games like cornhole.

Saturday, Oct. 18: Deep River Oktoberfest. Check out this Oktoberfest celebration in Clayton with German fare, food trucks, live music and limited edition steins filled with Deep River Brewing's Oktoberfest Märzen.

Sunday, Oct. 19: Oktoberfest at J. Betski's. Enjoy delicious German beer and food at J. Betski's. All guests will receive a complimentary pilsner glass. There are alcohol-free tickets available.

Sunday, Oct. 19: Oktoberfest at White Rabbit Brewing. Check out the brewery's newest beer, The Footman, and enjoy live music, cornhole tournaments and more. There will be a bouncy house and face painting for the kids.

Saturday, Oct. 25: Great Big Dtown Oktoberfest at Motorco. Music from The Little German Band, a burlesque show and beer from Munich served in liter steins make this a great party. It's free!

Saturday, Nov. 1: Carolina RailHawks 3rd Annual Homebrew Soktoberfest. Enjoy a pre-game festival featuring samples from more than 20 homebrewers. Tickets are $10.