Oktoberfest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds: Knights, Bands and Beer
The first weekend of October 2026 was the second annual Oktoberfest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. I went on Sunday, had a great time and enjoyed some good beer. I filmed a quick video too, so you can see what it was like.
Quick answer: Oktoberfest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds is a German-style fall festival, and 2026 was its second year. It had German food and beer, live bands, contests, rides and even a medieval combat tournament with knights in full armor.
What did Oktoberfest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds have?
This was the second annual Oktoberfest at the fairgrounds, right by the beach in Ventura. Here is what they had on Sunday, the day I went:
- German food and German beer, with beer flights if you wanted to try a few.
- Live music on two stages, plus line dancing.
- Contests like yodeling, stein holding and best dressed.
- Rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house and train rides.
- Medieval combat called War in the West, with knights in steel helmets and chain mail fighting it out.
Helpful note
What is a beer flight?
A beer flight is a set of small sample pours served together, so you can try several beers instead of committing to one full glass.
What did I see at Oktoberfest on Sunday?
I walked in under a big “Willkommen zum Oktoberfest” banner, with palm trees right behind it. Willkommen is German for welcome. Inside one of the exhibit halls, the ceiling was draped in blue and white. Those are the colors of Bavaria, the part of Germany where Oktoberfest started. Outside, a band played on a stage decorated with pumpkins and barrels. The lawn had white tables and chairs under blue umbrellas for people to sit, eat and listen.
What was the medieval combat at Oktoberfest?
Most of my video is the medieval combat, called War in the West. It was a full tournament of fighters in steel helmets, chain mail and plate armor, and most of what I filmed was the big group fights. They fought with swords, axes, shields and polearms inside a wooden rail, while officials in yellow with flags watched every exchange.
Helpful note
What is a melee in medieval combat?
A melee is one of those big group fights. Teams of armored fighters go at it at the same time, instead of one on one. A fighter who gets knocked to the ground is usually out.
How do I find events in Ventura County?
I said it in my video: “If you’re local to Ventura County, do not miss out on these events. They’re happening all year round.” Oktoberfest was just one of them, and every month there is something to do. These are my favorite ways to find what is coming up:
- City pages. I check each city’s pages for their events.
- Meetup.com for groups and get-togethers around the county.
- Other event websites, like the Ventura County Fairgrounds events calendar.
- Facebook, where a lot of local events get posted.
- Instagram, of course. You can follow me there too at @edgar_limon_realtor.
Just at the fairgrounds, here is what was coming up for the rest of October 2026:
| Coming up at the Ventura County Fairgrounds | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Swap Meet | every Wednesday |
| Seaside Highland Games, a Scottish festival | October 10 and 11 |
| Turnstile, live concert | October 14 |
| Brick Convention, a LEGO fan event | October 24 and 25 |
| Latino Business Expo | October 29 |
| Skeleton Shores Halloween Bash, 21 and over | October 30 and 31 |
From the Ventura County Fairgrounds events calendar, October 2026. Dates can change, so check the fairgrounds’ site before you go.
The big Ventura County Fair runs at the same fairgrounds every summer, too. You can watch my video and others on my YouTube channel, Edgar Limon – Living in Ventura County.
Thinking about living in Ventura County?
Events like this happen all year here. I’m a Realtor, born and raised in Oxnard. If you are thinking about moving here, take a look at homes for sale in Ventura or my Ventura County real estate pages. Questions? Reach out any time. And if you like local events, read about my day at the Oxnard Tamale Festival.
The short version
The second annual Oktoberfest brought German food, beer, bands, contests and medieval combat to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. I had a great time, and it is a good example of what I said in my video: there is something to do here every month. Check the city pages and the fairgrounds’ calendar, pick a weekend and go.
Common questions
When is Oktoberfest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds?
Oktoberfest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds was held the first weekend of October in 2026. It was the event’s second year, and I went on the Sunday. I had a great time and enjoyed some good beer. Check the fairgrounds’ events calendar for next year’s dates before you plan a trip.
What does Oktoberfest in Ventura have?
Oktoberfest in Ventura had German food, German beer and beer flights, live bands, line dancing, and contests like yodeling, stein holding and best dressed. There were also rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house and train rides, plus a medieval combat tournament with knights in full armor.
What was the medieval combat at the Ventura Oktoberfest?
The medieval combat at the Ventura Oktoberfest was War in the West, a tournament of fighters in full armor. They wore steel helmets, chain mail and plate armor, and they fought with swords, axes, shields and polearms inside a wooden rail while officials in yellow watched.
How do I find events in Ventura County?
My favorite way to find events in Ventura County is checking each city’s pages for their events. I also go on Meetup.com and other event websites, like the Ventura County Fairgrounds events calendar. I check Facebook, where a lot of local events get posted, and of course Instagram.
Are there events in Ventura County all year?
Yes, there are events happening in Ventura County all year, and every month there is something to do. The Ventura County Fairgrounds alone hosts a weekly swap meet, festivals, concerts and the Ventura County Fair every summer. Each city has its own events too, like the Oxnard Tamale Festival.
Event details come from the Ventura County Fairgrounds website and the fair’s posted Sunday schedule, and can change; check the fairgrounds’ calendar for current dates. This post is general information, not a commitment to lend, not an offer to lend, and not legal or tax advice. Edgar Limon, REALTOR, CA DRE #02225743, CENTURY 21 Masters, CA DRE #01849354. Each office is independently owned and operated. Mortgage loan originator, NMLS #2256286, with 21st Century Lending, NMLS #241835, a division of Full Realty Services, Inc. Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act and California Financing Law. Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license. Verify licenses at NMLS Consumer Access. Century 21 Masters and 21st Century Lending are affiliated companies. You are not required to use 21st Century Lending, or any particular lender, as a condition of working with me, and if I act as both your agent and your loan officer, I disclose both roles and how I am paid to you in writing. Equal Housing Opportunity. Equal Housing Lender.
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