The biggest weekend of the fall season is here. Red River Oktoberfest takes over Brandenburg Park this Friday through Sunday, October 9 to 11, and the mountain town is ready to welcome visitors with three days of craft beer, live music, contests, and family fun. Gates open at 10:00 each morning, and Friday kicks off with an opening ceremony and welcome toast at 10:30, followed by the Bavarian Barnraisers beer judging, a bratwurst eating contest, stein holding contests, and the Bester Bart beard and mustache competition.
Saturday keeps the momentum going with the Red River Strongman events, including a log clean and press and a truck pull on River Street, plus the Mr. and Ms. Oktoberfest contest, a children's log painting workshop, and more sets from the Lederhosen Junkies and DJ Luisa. A petting zoo and kid zone run all weekend in the Agricultural Pavilion, so the whole family has a place to land. Admission details and the full schedule are posted on the Red River Chamber of Commerce site, so check ahead and plan your day.
The weather could hardly be better timed. Friday brings sunshine and a high near 66 with a crisp morning in the 30s, so layers are the call. Saturday stays mostly sunny around 62 with just a slight chance of a shower, and Sunday turns partly cloudy near 63 with rain more likely after sunset, so Saturday is your day for hiking or an Enchanted Circle drive. Speaking of which, late-season aspen color still clings to the high country, and the Enchanted Circle loop through Questa, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire remains one of the finest ways to see it. No major closures have been reported on the inbound routes this morning, including US-64 and NM-38, but a quick check of NMRoads before you roll is always wise, and watch for weekend festival traffic on Main Street.
Beyond the festival grounds, Red River is settling into that easy October rhythm. The Red River Ski and Summer Area is quiet between seasons, with Opening Day set for November 25, which makes now a perfect time for an unhurried getaway: browse the shops on Main Street, settle in with a warm meal, and enjoy the town without the crowds. If you are already thinking ahead, the Rio Grande Sky Fiesta floats into Los Luceros near Espanola on October 24 and 25, a fine reason for another northern New Mexico road trip later this month.
However you spend it, this is one of those weekends Red River does best. Book a table, bring a jacket, and come raise a stein with us.