Bavarian Bulletin - October 6th,  2026 Edition

Leavenworth Oktoberfest kicked off in grand style, and what a weekend it was! More than 1,100 locals attended Friday's Locals Night.  Oesch's die Dritten came all the way from Switzerland and brought down the house with performances that had the whole crowd on its feet. The stein holding competition, a qualifier for the U.S. Steinholding Association,  drew cheering crowds and plenty of determined competitors. None of it would be possible without our hardworking staff, volunteers and vendors, who poured their hearts into every pour, plate, and polka. Thank you! If you missed the fun, there's still time: the second weekend is coming up October 9–10, with more music, more steins, and more gemütlichkeit!

Since launching September 23, our new in-town guide, Leavenworth Today (today.leavenworth.org), has given us our first real look at how visitors get around once they arrive. Here's what we've seen so far:

• About 1,200 users in the first 12 days
• Usage more than doubled on Oktoberfest opening weekend, to roughly 280 people a day
• Visitors come back: by Sunday, nearly half of users had used the guide before
• Real engagement: 70–80% of visits involve checking schedules, events, menus, or parking

Why it Matters

Leavenworth.org reaches 5,000–8,000 people a day, but mostly while they're planning a trip. Leavenworth Today reaches visitors once they're here, helping them find your businesses, events, and things to do in the moment, from where to eat tonight to what's on tomorrow and how to get around. For members, that means visibility right when a visitor is ready to walk through your door.

How You Can Help

When visitors find the guide, they are definitely using it. Our focus now is helping more of them find it. If you've received Chamber materials, please display them where guests will see them, like your counter, tables, or rooms. Need more? Contact me at media@leavenworth.org. Every visitor who discovers Leavenworth Today is one more who can discover you.

Are you planning to hand out candy this Halloween? Let us know so we can include your business on our Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat Map! Trick-or-treating will take place October 31 from 3–6 PM. Participating businesses will also receive a window decal so kids and families know where to stop for treats. To participate, email Jessica at media@leavenworth.org by October 25, and we’ll make sure you’re on the map (last years below)!

Saturday of Oktoberfest had a 6.9 % increase in footfalls 

* Remember, these are footfalls counted by five camera locations on Front Street. The numbers are NOT individual people counts, those numbers would be lower.

If you would like some PNGs to share on social media about the upcoming Oktoberfest dates, follow the link to our Oktoberfest 2026 media kit.  It contains 54 images that you can use to promote the event and the bands.

Oktoberfest 2026 tickets are on sale here: Oktoberfest event page.  

You can still become a sponsor of Oktoberfest, more information can be found here.

Orion River Rafting • Glory Days Vintage • Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration • The Hat Shop • Red Bell Christmas Motel • Blue Elk Inn • Leavenworth Lions Club • Obertal Inn• WaFd Bank • Faith Lutheran Church • Leavenworth Great Escapes • All Seasons River Inn • Mountain Country Corner • Icicle Village Resort • Chateau Faire Le Pont - Leavenworth Tasting Room • The Suites on Main  • A Book For All Seasons • Dan’s Food Market 

Stella's Boutique & Wine Bar • WineGirl Wines • Woody's Classic Man • 1227 Haus • Bären Haus

Websites
Leavenworthchamber.org
Leavenworth.org

Our mailing address is:
Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 327
940 Highway 2 Suite B
Leavenworth, WA 98826-0327

If you have questions, please call us at (509)548-5807

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