Little Leg Races
MUST SEE!
Don't miss the Dachshund and Corgi races, taking place daily at Das Fest.
PLUS! There will be a doggie costume contest on Saturday, and a Mini-Dachshund race on Sunday.
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!"
Aidan Muse & Friends
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
Alphorngruppe Alpine Echoes
SATURDAY 1-3 PM
Barrel Room
Aidan Muse is a 14 year old award-winning banjo player and performer from Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. His story has been featured on CBS 58 Milwaukee, WGN-TV Spotlight Chicago, ABC World News Now and Good Morning America First Look. Aidan was recently recognized by the Wisconsin State Assembly with the State “Hometown Hero” Award for his positive impact on the community through music. Aidan is a DR Strings Artist and a member of Tomorrow's Bluegrass Stars. He has appeared with Grammy Award Winning Touring Artists, and his high energy performances have been featured at festivals stretching from the Midwest to the Southeastern United States.
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
Alpine Thunder
SATURDAY 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Fest Halle
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
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
Alpine Thunder
SATURDAY 3:30-6:30 PM
Barrel Room
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
Ed Wagner's Brass Band
SATURDAY 3:00-6:30 PM
Fest Halle
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
SATURDAY 1-3 PM
Fest Halle
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
Midge & The Hitman
Midge & The Hitman
FRIDAY 4-7 PM
Barrel Room
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!
Midge & The Hitman
Midge & The Hitman
SUNDAY 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Fest Halle
From Chicago, Illinois, Pieptone! plays German Schlager and European chart hits, rarities and oddities of the 50's, 60's, and beyond.
Sawdust Symphony
Midge & The Hitman
Sawdust Symphony
SUNDAY 2-5 PM
Barrel Room
Sawdust Symphony is an “American New Grass” string band, that blends traditional bluegrass style with high-energy contemporary musical forms.
The American Graffiti Band
SATURDAY 7-10 PM
Barrel Room
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
SATURDAY 3:30-6:30 PM
Fest Halle
From polka to traditional tunes, you're sure to revel in this authentic, lively entertainment.
The Steve Schultz Band
The Steve Schultz Band
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
NOON-5 PM
Musik Pavilion
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!
Bob the Organ Grinder
German American Children’s Chorus – Chicago
Bob the Organ Grinder
The Happiest Music on Earth
Bob the Organ Grinder plays all your German favorites on his Bavarian street organ. The organ was handcrafted in Dinkelsbühl, Germany.
D'Oberlandlers
German American Children’s Chorus – Chicago
Bob the Organ Grinder
Ethnic Dance Performances
Founded in 1928, SVEV D'Oberlandler Milwaukee uphold traditional dances, music, costumes, and customs of Bavaria.
German American Children’s Chorus – Chicago
German American Children’s Chorus – Chicago
German American Children’s Chorus – Chicago
Das Musik Pavilion
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Founded in 1935, for over 90 years the German American Children’s Chorus of Chicago brings German heritage to life through music, song, and tradition. Featuring singers ages 4–18, the Kinderchor and Jugenchor perform joyful German and American folk songs dressed in colorful dirndls and lederhosen. The Kinderchor has performed for audiences throughout the Midwest, across the United States, and in Europe.
Luke's Lost Arts
MULLER FASCHING VEREIN
German American Children’s Chorus – Chicago
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).
MULLER FASCHING VEREIN
MULLER FASCHING VEREIN
MULLER FASCHING VEREIN
Strolling the grounds on Saturday!
The Muller Fasching Verein Milwaukee will be strolling the grounds in their colorful costumes and wooden masks showcasing Tyrolean (Austrian) folk customs. Stop by their booth to learn more!
The Vegas Magic Guy
MULLER FASCHING VEREIN
MULLER FASCHING VEREIN
Strolling ALL 3 DAYS!
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.
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.