Our German/Austrian culture festivals—Maifest and Oktoberfest—are held annually in May and September, and are not to be missed.
If you love to dance, there's always a lively band playing folk and popular music. Featured dancers in traditional dress perform Schuhplattler and other dances popular at Oktoberfest and seasonal festivals in Bavaria and Austria.
Add to that a menu of authentic German/Austrian foods, and of course, excellent imported and domestic beers and other drinks, and you have a fun-filled day that is sehr gemütlich for all ages.
Festivals are held at our beautiful Mt. Tamalpais alpine lodge, built by members over 100 years ago, and decorated with Bäuerlicher Malerei. The lodge is situated in the redwoods just above Muir Woods National Monument, and has wonderful views of the California Coast Ranges and surrounding area.
Don't forget to wear your Lederhosen, Dirndl, Tirolerhut, or other Tracht (traditional attire) to join in the spirit of the fest!
Festival Information
Maifest, May 21, 2023
Oktoberfest, September 17, 2023
Location
San Francisco Tourist Club, Mill Valley, Marin County, California
Reaching our lodge requires a Spaziergang from a trailhead or our parking lot, but is worth it! See Directions.
Adult Members and Guests (18 and over:) $25 (plus online credit card processing). Ticket includes one commemorative pint drink vessel.
Under 18: No charge and no ticket required
- Members, volunteers and guest tickets must be purchases online prior to the event.
- No additional members or guests will be admitted at the gate and cash will not be accepted for admission.
- Ticket purchasers do not need to bring a printed ticket or receipt. Check in with a photo ID at admissions when you arrive.
- Admission tickets are non-refundable and all sales are final. If you are unable to attend, we thank you for your donation.
- Admission price covers admission only to the Festival. Food, drink, and merchandise require separate purchases.
- Guests are encouraged to bring personal water containers as we will no longer provide disposable drinkware.
- All purchases on the day of the event are CASH ONLY. We do not accept credit cards, debit cards, electronic transfers, or checks at the Tourist Club on the day of the event. There is no ATM on the premises.
- No re-entry to the fest.
- The fest goes on, rain or shine!
- The Festmeister sends out an email in advance of each fest seeking volunteers to work the fest. Members who are sponsoring prospective members should inform them of the opportunity to volunteer at a fest and introduce them to the Festmeister.
Guest Rules
It is the responsibility of every guest to the Tourist Club to be familiar with and to abide by our Guest Rules, including the rules listed below.
- Each fest attendee must possess valid ID proving legal age to purchase or consume beer or wine.
- No outside food or alcoholic beverages are permitted.
- The dance floor and walkways are to be kept clear of people, blankets, ground covers, and paraphernalia during events.
- No dogs are allowed on the property during the day of the fest.
Getting to the fest
Whenever possible, please hike in, take the bus, or share rides to the club, as parking is very limited in our parking lot and in the surrounding communities along Ridge Avenue and Panoramic Highway. See directions for more information.
If you do drive and park near the club, be very careful to park completely off the road in a legal parking place, and not to block driveways or means of ingress and egress. Rangers and local police authorities issue tickets to vehicles parked illegally or unsafely.
Please be careful walking along Panoramic Highway and other streets. We want you to arrive and leave safely.
Our Commitment to Reducing Waste
The Tourist Club has made a commitment to reducing its plastic and paper waste. Consequently, we will not be providing plastic cups for beverages or disposable cups at the water stations. We encourage all guests to bring and use non-glass personal water containers.
Access
Our more than 100 year-old property has numerous staircases, uneven steps, and dirt trails, and is not ADA accessible. It can be challenging for the infirm, those with perambulators (baby carriages), and anyone who wishes to avoid steep and narrow, rocky trails. A shuttle is available during festivals from the lodge to our Ridge Avenue parking lot beginning at 3pm. The shuttle is for the disabled and infirm only.
- Families with children, and those who wish to take a break from the crowds and music, can enjoy our meadow. Bring a blanket for the grass.
- We try to offer vegetarian options for sausages, salads, side dishes, and desserts, as well as gluten-free beer and other beverages.
2023 Festivals
Maifest
Sunday May 21, 1pm–6pm
Maifest (pronounced “My–fest” in German, and also called May Fest in English) is the traditional celebration of the arrival of spring. In Germany and Austria, the Maibaum (Maypole) is decorated to honor a town or village's local history, produce, and crafts, and is the focus of the traditional Maypole Dance and the crowning of the Maikönigin (May Queen).
Sommerfest
N/A
Celebrate summer with great food, drink, live music, and dancing at our traditional German festival, Sommerfest!
Kinderfest
Sunday September 17, 1pm–6pm
Celebrate with great food, drink, live music, and dancing at our traditional German festival, Oktoberfest!
Music and Dancing at the Fest
Joe Smiell Band - Photo by Rob Villanueva
Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit is a traditional drinking song and toast at Oktoberfest and other festivals.
Here's how to properly toast your friends:
- Stand,
- Raise your glasses or steins (Die Krüge hoch!),
- Successively look each person in the eye while clinking together the bottoms of your glasses,
- Say “Prost!,”
- Follow with a hearty drink.
Ein Prosit Lyrics
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.
OANS! ZWOA! DREI! G’SUFFA!
Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke,
hoi, hoi, hoi.
Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke,
hoi, hoi, hoi!
A toast, a toast
To cheer and good times
A toast, a toast
To cheer and good times.
One two three, drink up!
Gallery
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