Meet Your 2026 Duluth Oktoberfest Fest Frau + Fest Master
The Duluth Oktoberfestival is returning to Bayfront Festival Park, September 18-20, 2026. The exciting weekend is a favorite way to usher in the fall season for many across the region. The Duluth Oktoberfestival brings everything you know and love about the German Oktoberfest right here to Duluth.
Duluth Oktoberfestival Presented By Renewal by Andersen September 18, 19, 20
Of course, there will be cold German beir, delicious Bavarian food, authentic live music, games, and activities for all ages. The Duluth Oktoberfestival was recently ranked as the top authentic Oktoberfestival celebration in Minnesota!
2026 Frau And Fest Masters: Mary & Mike Niemeyer
Each year, two members of the community are selected as the Fest Master and Frau Master, who will lead the celebration. This year, your Fest and Frau Master are Mike and Mary Niemeyer.
Mary Niemeyer is the market president at Townsquare Media in Duluth, and she has been a part of the Duluth Oktoberfestival before it even became a reality years ago.
Read More: What To Know About 2026 Duluth Oktoberfestival
Organizer and President of Kern & Kompany, Ryan Kern, shares how Mary Niemeyer helped inspire the Duluth Oktoberfestival:
There has been no bigger champion of the Duluth Oktoberfest, than Mary Niemeyer. I remember meeting with Town Square Media and talking to Mary about the events that Kern and Kompany were producing that year and I casually mentioned we were contemplating taking our Hot Air Balloon Festival at Bayfront and potentially looking at re-envisioning that as an Oktoberfestival but we were still doing our due diligence and research. Mary shared with me her previous role in Oktoberfest USA and that conversation had energized her and by extension she energized me and I made the decision right then and there that Duluth would host an Oktoberfestival later that year. Mary’s vision and commitment to the Duluth Oktoberfestival is unmatched and without her support to help get it off the ground, it may never have happened. There is truly no one who deserves the honor of being the Fest Frau more than Mary Niemeyer and her husband Mike (Fest Master).
Joining Mary will be her husband, Mike. They enjoy the Duluth Oktoberfestival, and it's one of their favorite events every year in Duluth. Mary and Mike say it's a great honor to serve as the Frau and Fest Master.
Mike and I are so honored to serve as this year's honorary Festmaster and Frau of the Duluth Oktoberfestival. We have been deeply involved with the many events Kern & Kompany has brought to this community, but when Ryan introduced the idea of Oktoberfest we were all in. Having served on the Board of Directors of Oktoberfest USA out of Lacrosse Wisconsin, one of the Nation's largest German festivals, I knew that the Twin Ports could grow this into something bigger and even more special. Mission accomplished! The authentic food, the amazing musical talent, and the Family activities truly makes this a premiere German event worth celebrating.
You can get tickets now for the Duluth Oktoberfestival online. It's fun for all ages and includes games like Corn Hole, Stein Holding Contests, Nagelbaken, Barrel Rolling, and Barrel Toss.
There is authentic live music each day, and a special Dachshund Derby on Sunday. Do you have a wiener dog that feels the need for speed? Register now and bring your pup to the races.
We'll see you at the Duluth Oktoberfestival at Bayfront Festival Park!