The Alex Meixner Band
THEY'RE BACK! MUST SEE!
Have you ever heard Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train played on an accordion?
Coming together from across the country, this band led by the one-and-only Alex Meixner, brings a contagious, high-energy, cross-pollination of exuberant Central European party music, letting die-hard polka fans enjoy and embrace evolution, and hipsters discover all there is to love in the underappreciated, innately fun genre.
Make Some Noise!
Nationally acclaimed, recently inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame, Grammy-nominated musician and producer, Alex Meixner brings a new level of energy to the dance floor.
3 PERFORMANCES!
FEST HALL
2026
FRI. 7-10 PM
SAT. 7-10 PM
SUN. 3-6 PM
From a first time Das Fest guest:
"I thought it was going to be background music, but this was a show. It was so entertaining, I came back to see it again the next day!"
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
Strolling the Grounds
ALL 3 DAYS!
Practice your "Ricola" and get your cameras ready, Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes will be strolling the fest grounds all weekend.
In Switzerland and the German Alpines, the sweetest grass for cows is high in the Alpine Meadows. 200+ years ago, the Alphorn provided a way for shepherds to communicate with their family in the Valley below, and believe it or not, the sound would soothe the cows. Mozart even wrote a symphony incorporating the Alphorn.
Alpine Thunder
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
Start your Saturday with this lively, fun, interactive band performing German, Austrian, and Swiss folk/pop music, mixed in with yodeling, cow bells, and alphorns.
Alpine Thunder has 20 years of experience, including residency with the Hofbräuhaus and Edelweiss Restaurant in Illinois, and they perform at more than a hundred Oktoberfest shows and Christkindlmarkts annually.
BB & the Honey
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
BB & the Honey
Have some serious fun on Friday night in the American Bier Hall with BB and the Honey! Are you in the mood for jazz, blues, classic rock, old school country or something contemporary? They have you covered. BB's soulful voice and emotional interpretations of your favorites are complimented by the extremely talented players around her.
Copper Box
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
BB & the Honey
Familiar songs with a Copper Box twist in a multi-genre accord (polka-rock-blues), as well as their own originals. Go on a fun, one-of-a-kind musical journey with Wisconsin's very own, award-winning Copper Box Band!
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
An authentic Chicago area German Brass Band started by "Bro" Wagner in 1945. Now, over 75 years since it all began, the band is still playing throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest at numerous German, Austrian, and Czech cultural events as well as countless Oktoberfeste. The band is comprised of second and third generation musicians, most of which are descendants of the original members.
Midge & The Hitman
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
Country, rock, alternative, and many more genres of music with powerhouse vocals that will fill the bier hall. Famous covers from artists such as, Heart, Amy Winehouse, Paramore, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Miranda Lambert, and many more!
Pieptone!
Pieptone!
Pieptone!
From Chicago, Illinois, Pieptone! plays German Schlager and European chart hits, rarities and oddities of the 50's, 60's, and beyond.
The American Graffiti Band
The American Graffiti Band takes you back to the 50’s & 60’s Sock Hop favorites we all know and love. Sure to keep you dancing all night. So don’t be a square and join us for a groovy good time!
The Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band
Opening Sunday Funday with an ALTEmate performance. Whether you listen to their rendition of the Armed Forces Medley, polka to traditional tunes, or stuff a dollar bill in their Loferl (sock) while they play Gloria from atop the tables (all of the money goes to charity), you're sure to revel in their authentic, lively entertainment.
The Steve Schultz Band
The Steve Schultz Band
Spend time with family and friends while enjoying the traditional sounds of polkas and waltzes. Accordion to our sources, you're going to love this up and coming German band!
Entertainment around every corner!
D'Oberlandlers
Luke's Lost Arts
Luke's Lost Arts
Ethnic Dance Performances
SATURDAY
Founded in 1928, SVEV D'Oberlandler Milwaukee uphold traditional dances, music, costumes, and customs of Bavaria.
Luke's Lost Arts
Luke's Lost Arts
Luke's Lost Arts
SATURDAY 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Demonstrations of carving techniques used for centuries in the Netherlands and across Europe. Learn the history of the klompen (wooden shoe).
Mack Glass Art
Luke's Lost Arts
Spielmannzug Milwaukee
ALL 3 DAYS!
The creators and skilled glassblowers of the World's Tallest Glass Tree perform LIVE. The team will create beautiful glass pickles and beverage vessels live in person with liquid hot glass.
NEW!
GLASSBLOWING EXPERIENCE
FRIDAY 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
You know you've always wanted to try it!
Here's your chance!
Learn the art of glassmaking from the creators of the World's Tallest Glass Tree, Mack Glass. 20-30 minute workshops are available all weekend. Participants will select, make, and take home their own piece! Space is limited!
Ages 7+. Registration link coming soon.
Spielmannzug Milwaukee
United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee
Spielmannzug Milwaukee
Drum & Bugle Corps Performance
The Spielmannszug Milwaukee Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1957 by a group of dedicated people who wanted to maintain the German culture and music in the United States. 60+ years later, the Spielmannszug is still going strong with Fanfaren, Fifes, Drums, Lyres, Hunting Horns and Cymbals.
The Vegas Magic Guy
United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee
United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee
Strolling ALL 3 DAYS!
Plus 2 shows!
Times TBA
Voted by peers as the best dressed magician that worked on Fremont Street, the Vegas Magic Guy is bringing the magic to Das Fest! With top notch entertainment there's sure to be smiles galore as the Vegas Magic Guy wanders the grounds. He'll also perform family friendly shows in the Barrel Room on Saturday and Sunday. Check back for times.
United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee
United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee
United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee
Ethnic Dance Performances
The Donauschwaben are ethnic Germans that lived outside of Germany in the Slavic regions of Eastern Europe predominately along the Danube River. Since 1945, the purpose of the United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee is to keep the Donauschwaben heritage alive while promoting the language, foods and customs to the public at large.