York’s favourite party ‘Yorktoberfest’ returns to racecourse for 5th year
Two weekends of laughs, live entertainment and lederhosen!
Autumn cheer is forecast today with the news that Yorktoberfest, York’s traditional Bavarian beer festival, will be returning to the Clocktower Enclosure at York Racecourse this October, for a fifth successive year. York’s very own Oktoberfest has proved hugely popular since its debut in 2021 with all sessions selling out last year.
Yorktoberfest 2025 will take place on Friday 17th – Saturday 18th October and Friday 24th – Saturday 25th October. Tickets go on sale today, Monday 12th May, at 8am through www.ticketsource.co.uk/yorktoberfest. Prices are £25 per person for standard and £35 for VIP, with an early bird discount of £5 per ticket if booked before midday on 29th June.
Yorktoberfest promises plenty of laughs, live entertainment and lederhosen, and follows in the traditions of the first Oktoberfest staged in Munich in 1810, where the citizens were encouraged to eat, drink and be merry at the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and his princess bride. So much fun was had that an annual tradition was born and now the citizens of York and beyond can enjoy all things Bavarian in a giant fully-styled beer tent at the racecourse.
Dancing is encouraged, as it has been for over 200 years, as is the wearing of Lederhosen, Dirndls or any other fancy dress, with nightly competitions and prizes for the best dressed.
Returning this year is the internationally-acclaimed seven-piece live band, the Bavarian Strollers who will perform thigh-slapping, foot-stomping oompah tunes as well as feel-good disco classics. They have travelled the world bringing their unique take on oompah music to Bier Keller evenings, Oktoberfests, bars, parties and offices, and have appeared on BBC One, Channel 4, E4, Sky, Radio 5 Live as well as programmes such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Alan Carr Chatty Man. Their Bavarian table dances and German ‘prosit’ toasts make Yorktoberfest a memorable experience.
Adding to the party and returning to the stage by popular demand will be international drag artist Velma Celli, the undisputed star of the show. Velma has been mesmerising Yorktoberfest audiences with her powerhouse vocals and outrageous humour, receiving rave reviews across social media. Known as ‘the UK’s Queen of live vocal drag’, Velma has been charming audiences across the globe for more than 15 years, from Australia to New York, and from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to London’s Hippodrome. Velma takes the drag concept to whole new dizzy heights according to her alter-ego Ian Stroughair, a well-known name on the West End stage in his own right.
Event organiser James Cundall, CEO of Jamboree Entertainment says “We will transform the giant marquee into a Bavarian festival scene, with rows of tables and benches down most of its 160m length, two performance stages, rustic carts full of wooden beer barrels, thatched wooden barns, flags galore and generally everything needed for a great night out.”
The Bavarian Bar will serve a variety of delicious beers from local supplier Brew York as well as a range of wines, prosecco, spirits and soft drinks. German-inspired food will also be available from The Dog Haus, catering for all tastes with the essential favourites of sausages, schnitzels and pretzels as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
“We are thrilled that Yorktoberfest has become so popular since its debut in 2021 and once again it promises evenings of hearty fun, with beer, a band and bratwurst, not to mention a sensational drag queen! With the early bird discount available until the end of June, now is the time to get your friends together and start planning the party!” adds Mr Cundall.
Yorktoberfest will have a strictly limited capacity, with specific opening times: Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm until 11pm, and daytime sessions on Saturdays from 1pm until 5pm.
Tickets for Yorktoberfest are now on sale through www.ticketsource.co.uk/yorktoberfest priced either individually at £25 for standard and £35 for VIP, or in tables of six at £150 for standard and £210 for VIP, with an early bird discount of £5 per ticket if booked before 29th June. VIP tickets are situated closest to the main stage and have table service for drinks and food. All VIP customers will be able to book specific seats in their preferred location whether for individuals or tables of six. Standard individual seats are unreserved while standard tables of six can be reserved. An online booking fee applies. Tickets will also be available at the entrance, subject to availability.
