Otto Von Bismarck's German FestSat, Oct 3  •  Gates 5 PMGet Tickets
Otto Von Bismarck's German Fest, presented by Eide Automotive Group

Otto Von Bismarck's
German Fest

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • Gates 5:00 PM • Bismarck Depot

Celebrating Bismarck's German heritage with Oktoberfest-style beer, live music, and more.

Get TicketsSee What's Inside

When

Sat, Oct 3
Gates 5:00 PM

Where

Bismarck Depot
411 E Main Ave

Tickets

From $20

Who

All ages
Kids 12 & under free
The Bismarck Depot, built by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1901

The Northern Pacific built this depot in 1901. Its medallion still sits on the facade three times over.

Why the name

Named for
a reason

In 1873 this town was called Edwinton. The Northern Pacific Railway renamed it after Otto von Bismarck, the German chancellor, hoping the name would pull German investors and German settlers west. It worked. Germans and Germans from Russia came, stayed, and built most of what is still standing.

Bismarck's story started at this building, and so does this festival.

Bismarck ran a German Days festival for three years before it ended in 2019. Otto Von Bismarck's German Fest picks that tradition back up at the building where the story started, with our own spin on it.

The Village

One ticket,
the whole village

Biergarten, local kitchens, market, contests, and live music, all at the Bismarck Depot for one Saturday. Your ticket gets you into every part of it.

Two steins raised in a toast
Ottohaus
The Biergarten

Enjoy a variety of Oktoberfest-style brews from a tap list carefully curated by our team from around the world. Poured all night, with classic domestic and non-alcoholic options on the menu, too. There's something for everyone.

A full plate of German food
Food Row
Local Kitchens

Enjoy German-inspired meals from local food vendors, serving an entree and a side. Buy a ticket that includes a meal voucher, or bring cash to purchase a meal on-site. Stay tuned for our full list of vendors serving.

The Bismarck Depot Grand Hall
Marketplatz
The Market

Local craft and artisan vendors from across North Dakota. Come see what they make and take something home. Plus, enjoy family activities curated for the kids, so there is something for everyone at the event.

Festival contest on stage
The Strongest Stein holder
Contests, Live Music & More

ND's strongest competitors will compete in a stein-holding competition, commonly known as Masskrugstemmen. Plus, live Polka band music, activities and more.

The details

What is included
in my pass?

Two things come with your ticket. Tabs and, on most passes, a meal voucher.

1 tab = 1 drink

Beer, bottled water, or soda

Hand the bartender one tab and pick what you want. Once your tabs are gone, the bar takes cash and card like any other night.

1 voucher = 1 meal

A full plate at any kitchen

Hand it to any kitchen on Food Row and get an entree and a side. The Founders Haus, Biermeister VIP, and Chancellor Pass each include one full meal.

The stein is what changes the pour. Founders Haus and Biermeister VIP get a 24 oz commemorative plastic stein at check-in, which they get to keep. Their drinks are poured into the stein. Chancellor Pass and Das Fest Pass holders recieve 12 oz beers, either on draft or in a can.

There are no tabs for sale. When your tabs are gone, every food and drink vendor on the grounds takes cash.

12 oz

Standard pour

Chancellor Pass
Das Fest Pass

24 oz

Commemorative plastic stein

Founders Haus
Biermeister VIP
Yours to keep

Tickets

Pick your pass

Every ticket includes a drink and full access to the festival. Upgrade for more drinks, a meal voucher, a commemorative plastic stein, and earlier access.

Our last two festivals sold out. Get your tickets now to guarantee you get in.

Earliest in · Only 50 available

Founders Haus

$150

per person

In at 3:00 PM · Two hours early

  • (3) 24 oz drinks
  • Private beer tasting class
  • 24 oz commemorative plastic stein to keep
  • Voucher for one full meal
  • Private lounge and restrooms
Get Tickets
The one most people want
90-min Early Access · Limited Availability

Biermeister VIP

$75

per person

In at 3:30 PM · 90 minutes early

  • (3) 24 oz drinks
  • 24 oz commemorative plastic stein to keep
  • Voucher for one full meal
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Includes a Meal

Chancellor Pass

$50

per person

In at 5:00 PM

  • (3) 12 oz drinks
  • Voucher for one full meal
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General Admission

Das Fest Pass

$20

per person

In at 5:00 PM

  • (1) 12 oz drink
  • Full festival access
Get Tickets

Kids 12 and under are free. Gate Admission is $5 more at the door on October 3 if tickets have not sold out, and it includes one 12 oz drink. Buying ahead saves you five dollars and guarantees you get in.

Not sure which one

Which pass is right for me?

I just want to get in the door

Das Fest Pass, $20. You get in at 5:00 PM with one 12 oz drink and full run of the festival: the biergarten, the market, the contests, and the music. Everything after that first drink costs additional.

I plan to eat and drink while I'm there

Chancellor Pass, $50. Three 12 oz drinks and a voucher good for a meal at any kitchen. If you were going to buy food and a few beers, this is the pass that already paid for itself before you walked in.

I want the best seat and the biggest pour

Biermeister VIP, $75. Limited availability. You get in at 3:30 PM, 90 minutes before the gates open, plus a meal voucher and a 24 oz commemorative plastic stein that you keep. Your three drinks are poured into the stein.

I want the full day and the earliest entry

Founders Haus, $150. Earliest entry at 3:00 PM, two hours before the gates, plus a private beer tasting class, a private lounge with access to indoor restrooms, a meal voucher, and the 24 oz commemorative plastic stein with three pours.

Only 50 available, so it goes first.

Priority list

Buy before
everyone else

Tickets go to the priority list first. Join and you get the link before the public, plus announcements first.

Friday, August 21

Priority list buys first. Everything is available.

Monday, August 24

Tickets open to everyone at whatever is left.

Saturday, October 3

Gate tickets are $5 more at the door while available.

Side by side

Every pass,
one row each

Find your pass.

Check in once. Your lanyard carries your pass and your tabs, and it is the only thing you hand over all day.

The Day

The lights come on
around seven

Times are subject to change.

3:00 PM
Founders Haus doors
3:30 PM
Biermeister VIP doors
5:00 PM
Doors open to everyone
7:00 PM
Stein hold competition on stage
All Evening
Live polka band takes the stage

Who's cooking

Local kitchens,
full plates

Food Row is local vendors cooking German-inspired food, each one serving an entree and a side as a meal. Buy a pass that includes a meal voucher, or buy with cash on-site.

The lineup is still being built. Follow us @BismarckDepotDays for updates.

Presented by
Eide Automotive Group
Otto Von Bismarck's German Fest Partners
Legacy Partners of Bismarck Depot Days

Know before you go

Questions

What exactly does my pass include?

Entry, everything on the schedule, and the tabs listed on your pass. One tab is good for one drink, either a beer (draft or can), bottled water, or soda.

Founders Haus, Biermeister VIP, and Chancellor Pass also include a food voucher, good for a full meal at any kitchen on Food Row. Das Fest Pass includes one tab and full access with no meal.

Why do some passes get a bigger drink?

Founders Haus and Biermeister VIP receive a 24 oz commemorative plastic stein at check-in and keep it. Their tab fills the stein. Chancellor Pass and Das Fest Pass are 12 oz pours or cans.

Can I buy more tabs once I'm inside?

No, there are no extra tabs for sale. Once your tabs are gone, you buy from the vendor directly. Payment is up to each vendor.

Can I bring my kids?

Yes. Kids 12 and under are free and do not need a pass.

Where do I park?

The Bismarck Depot lot is located in the heart of downtown Bismarck, so plan to use street parking and public lots in the surrounding areas. Learn more about downtown options on our Depot parking page.

Will tickets be sold at the gate?

Tickets may still be available at the gate. Walk-up tickets are $5 more and limited, so get yours early.

Can I get a refund?

All sales are final. No refunds will be issued.

What can I not bring?

Outside food or drinks are not permitted. Glass of any kind, weapons including pocket knives, drugs, coolers, and pets. Service animals are welcome.

What happens if the weather turns?

This is a rain or shine event. If severe weather moves in, updates post to our social channels and go out by email to everyone holding a ticket.

Can I sell at the festival?

Yes, food vendors and market vendors both. Apply here and tell us what you make.

I have a question that isn't here.

Email depot@funatixevents.com and a person will answer you.

Get tickets early

Buy before
everyone else

The priority list buys on Friday, two days before tickets open to the public. Free to join, and one email when it opens.

Get on the List

Join the Insider List to be the FIRST to Learn Event Info

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