Cal Expo Hosted Inaugural Saktoberfest Event
The two-day festival brought German traditions and local craft beer to The Cove in Sacramento.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Cal Expo held its first Saktoberfest, a two-day celebration combining German customs with local food and drink. The event team organized the festival to highlight California's bounty through a blend of traditional culture and regional craft breweries.
Why it matters
The festival marks a new effort to bring seasonal cultural celebrations to the Cal Expo grounds. Organizers intend to establish the event as a recurring tradition that complements the annual California State Fair.
The inaugural event featured a menu of schnitzel, bratwurst, and tri-tip sauerbraten alongside beer from Urban Roots, FiftyFifty Brewing, and Rothaus. Guests paid $18 for a sausage sampler and $20 for a commemorative plastic stein.
The players
Cal Expo
The California Exposition and State Fair is a state agency that hosts major annual events and community gatherings in Sacramento.
California State Fair
This annual seventeen-day celebration showcases California agriculture, entertainment, and history.
University of California Cooperative Extension
This organization connects the research and resources of the University of California with local communities to provide agricultural and food education.
The details
The event featured competitive activities including yodeling, wife-carrying, and stein-holding, accompanied by live music and a festival DJ. Volunteers from the University of California Cooperative Extension added an educational component by providing pickling demonstrations and sauerkraut samples.
Timeline
The inaugural Saktoberfest took place on October 9-10, 2026.
The 2027 California State Fair is scheduled for September 17-October 3, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The creation of Saktoberfest represents a strategy by the California State Fair team to extend the utility of the Cal Expo venue beyond the primary summer fair season. This shift mirrors broader efforts by fairgrounds across the nation to maintain revenue through year-round programming.
Attendees can expect potential expansion of German-themed festivities during the 17-day state fair in future years. The event provides locals with a new seasonal outdoor venue experience at The Cove.
The takeaway
The inaugural festival demonstrates a shift toward year-round event programming for the state fairgrounds. Residents should look for future announcements regarding expanded festival dates that may coincide with the larger state fair schedule.
What happens next
Organizers are considering holding the second annual Saktoberfest after the conclusion of the 2027 California State Fair, which runs from September 17 to October 3, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local culinary events in our Sacramento Food and Drink section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sacramento Bee.
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