Bavarian Bulletin - September 29,  2026 Edition

Oktoberfest kicks off this weekend, and we hope to see all our members, businesses and neighbors out celebrating! We'd also love for you to join us in the Festzug: dust off your trachten and march with us each Saturday. Meet at Gustav's by 11:45 a.m., and we'll walk through town together, greet our visitors, and officially open the festival at noon. It's a wonderful way to show our community spirit and welcome everyone who's come to celebrate with us. Prost, and we'll see you there!

Oktoberfest is live in the Leavenworth Today app! Our Oktoberfest layer is now up and running at leavenworth.org/today, so you and our visitors can find everything festival-related in one place. It's web-based, so there's nothing to download. Just open the link on any phone or computer, and share it with your guests and customers.

Hosting an Oktoberfest event at your business? Take a moment to add it to our community calendar, which now appears in our web app. You can submit it through the event portal.

Oktoberfest Sponsors: Please check your email for instructions on redeeming your sponsorship tickets, and redeem them as soon as possible. If you run into any issues, email troy@leavenworth.org.

The 22nd Leavenworth Marathon takes place the morning of Saturday, October 3. The good news: no roads will be fully closed, and full access returns by 1:00 PM.

Race times

• Marathon starts at 7:00 AM near the top of Icicle Canyon
• Half Marathon starts at 9:00 AM at Enchantment Park
• Both finish at Enchantment Park and wrap up by 1:00 PM

Where you'll see runners

• Downtown (9:00–9:30 AM only): Half marathoners will run from Enchantment Parkway along the Highway 2 sidewalk, Front Street, 9th, 10th and Commercial, then into Waterfront Park. The course doesn't return downtown after that, so Oktoberfest festivities are fully accessible.
• Waterfront & Enchantment Park trails: Expect runners on the main trails between Commercial Street and Enchantment Park.
• Icicle Road: Stays fully open; runners use the east shoulder between Highway 2 and Sleeping Lady.

Traffic and parking changes

• Enchantment Parkway closes for about 30 minutes starting at 8:45 AM for the half marathon start. The gate stays open so you can still reach public parking.
• Enchantment Park parking lot is open to locals (no athlete or spectator parking), except the circular area near the restrooms.
• East Leavenworth Road: The southbound lane (Hwy 2 to Icicle Rd.) is closed from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The northbound lane stays open all day.

The race supports up to 15 local organizations each year, plus cancer research at Fred Hutch. Course maps are at teddriven.com/leavenworth-marathon. Questions? Contact director@teddriven.com or 509-670-8102.

One of the easiest (and free!) ways to reach visitors is the community calendar on leavenworth.org. When we promote Leavenworth through our marketing campaigns, social media and visitor communications, we often point people straight to the event calendar. If your event or special is listed there, it's in front of the people already planning their trip.

It matters even more now that Leavenworth Today is live at leavenworth.org/today. Visitors browsing the app can see what events are happening that day, and which businesses are offering a special or promotion right within their category and listing. A quick submission can put your business in front of someone deciding where to eat, shop or stay that very day.

Adding your event or promotion takes just a few minutes:

1. Go to https://leavenworth.org/calendar/
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Add Event.
3. Fill in your details, and be sure to tag your listing as an event or a promotion/special so it shows up in the right places.

Live music, a seasonal menu, a sale, a class or a happy hour all count, so if it gives visitors a reason to stop in, add it! The more businesses that participate, the richer the experience for our guests and the more we can showcase everything Leavenworth has to offer.

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)!

The Chamber is seeking candidates for open positions on its Board of Directors. Board members serve two-year terms beginning January 1, 2027.

Interested candidates will meet briefly with the Nominations Committee in late October. The committee will then present a slate of candidates to the membership for a vote at our annual elections in December.

To express interest or learn more, please contact Chamber Executive Director Troy Campbell via email.

Watch party at Faith Lutheran Church on October 8th, webinar starts and 6pm, come in person or watch online, QR codes below for the details and to RSVP if you are coming in person.

Mrs. Claus’ Cottage Inc.

Coming Soon! - Mrs. Claus' Cottage is a magical Christmas Museum & Gifts experience in Leavenworth, WA, featuring whimsical, animated displays, festive scenes, nostalgic holiday decor, clothing, costumes, gifts, and keepsakes. Opening in stages, the gift shop is expected in early October 2026, with full completion planned for 2027.

_{* 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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