Find out where in New Mexico you can celebrate Oktoberfest

Once upon a time, Red River would shut down after Labor Day, and the northern New Mexican resort town wouldn’t open again until ski season began around Thanksgiving.

To help bridge that gap, some of the movers and shakers in town decided to introduce their own version of Oktoberfest, a three-day celebration featuring plenty of beer, wine, spirits, food, music and vendors. While there was some skepticism that such an offering would be able to attract the masses, the event definitely has legs. According to Red River Chamber of Commerce CEO Naoma Staley, the 2025 version of Oktoberfest is expected to draw between 10,000 and 12,000 people over the weekend of Friday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 12.

“One of the real fun things about Oktoberfest is, and it always has been this way, the people that we attract are very rugged. They don’t care what weather it is. They’re just gonna come out, and they’re gonna have fun. So it might be hot, or it might be cold, doesn’t matter,” Staley said. “We’ve always attracted a crowd who’s kind of weatherproof, or at least weather resistant, and so it’s managed to succeed.”

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Red River Oktoberfest. To celebrate the occasion, the festivities will kick off with a keg-tapping opening ceremony, and Texas-based polka band Lederhosen Junkies have prepared a few songs specifically for the event. Additionally, special-edition liter pint glasses and 20th anniversary T-shirts will be available.

The beer, wine and spirits aspect of the event has a more personal vibe than your average festival, Staley says. There will be 14 different breweries, wineries and distilleries on hand from throughout the Land of Enchantment — including the area’s own Red River Brewery and Distillery.

“Oftentimes, our festival is in direct competition with something called the Great American (Beer) Fest (in Denver),” Staley said. “This year, we’re actually on the same weekend they are. So one of the things we try and do to stand out is we make sure to emphasize the ways in which we’re like family, and that it’s more of a close-knit group — experiencing our festival is celebrating with friends and family versus just going and selling a bajillion beers.”

Oftentimes, breweries are booked for large-scale festivals through distributors, and that means the faces behind familiar favorites won’t necessarily be on hand at their respective booths. That isn’t the case at Red River Oktoberfest, however. For example, Staley says Santa Fe Brewing Company CEO Brian Lock is a frequent presence at the event, often booking a cabin with friends to enjoy the happenings. (Santa Fe Brewing is one of the vendors this year.)

“We all hang out and we spend time with one another. For a beer festival, it’s fairly laid back. I think it’s a lot of fun and it’s boisterous,” Staley said.

“But I’ve been told that at the Great American Beer Fest, you’re just pouring beer and pouring beer and pouring beer. Ours is more special because we get the actual breweries up here and the owners of the breweries. And so sometimes the people serving the beers are the breweries themselves.”

In addition to alcohol, Red River Oktoberfest will also include food and snacks and a variety of other vendors selling everything from art to jewelry to home goods. Staley says lodging in Red River can fill up by late September, so those who still want to attend can also consider accommodations in nearby areas such as Angel Fire, Eagle Nest and Cuesta. She also recommends buying passes ahead of time at redriverchamber.org to avoid the lines.

The popularity is a testament to the vision of the townspeople who wanted to give visitors a reason to head to Red River between summer and winter.

“We just want to be special, and I think that comes from the origins of Oktoberfest,” Staley said. “It was just a bunch of people who were like, ‘Hey, we have this cool thing that we want to share with others. How can we do that?’ And so this quirky group got together, did a crazy thing, and it’s worked.”