Locktoberfest brings Bavarian flavor to downtown Lockhart

By Anthony Collins

LPR Editor                            

     Lockhart is gearing up for a three-day celebration of German heritage, small businesses, and community spirit with Locktoberfest 2025, set for October 3rd through the 5th.

     The festival is part bar crawl, part shop hop, and all about bringing people together in downtown Lockhart. Visitors can expect German-themed bier, wein, and food specials across participating businesses, transforming the square into a lively Bavarian village.

     The idea for Locktoberfest began in 2022 when the Best Little Bavarian Pop-Up was launched at Best Little Wine & Books. Owner and founder, Kaye Askins, inspired by her family ties to Germany, her mother grew up there as an Army brat, wanted to carry on the tradition of backyard Oktoberfest celebrations she grew up with in Fort Worth.

     “The teams from Load Off Fanny’s and Loop & Lil’s all came through that first year, and it was such a fun week I knew it would become a long-standing tradition,” she said.

    In 2023, the pop-up grew into a full downtown event with help from Alex Cady, the designer behind the Locktoberfest logo, and Dan Goodman, a local beer enthusiast. Together, they rallied downtown businesses to host simultaneous specials to keep festivalgoers moving from shop to shop.

    The vision is big: Oktoberfests around Texas generate between $6 million and $12 million per city, and organizers hope that as Locktoberfest expands, it will have a similar economic impact on Lockhart’s small businesses.

     By 2024, the festival teamed up with Rough House Brewing in San Marcos to create the first official Locktoberfest Festbier, a crisp, lighter lager suited for Texas heat. The beer quickly became a festival favorite, available at Best Little Wine & Books, Old Pal, Terry Black’s, and even given away as a freebie at retailers like Mr. Brown’s Pet Stop.

     This year’s Locktoberfest promises even more reasons to wander downtown. Each participating shop, bar, and restaurant will put its own spin on the celebration, offering everything from themed drinks to German-inspired bites. Some businesses will be open all weekend, while others will join for select days.

    The festival is hosted by Best Little Wine & Books at 210 W. San Antonio St., in partnership with the Lockhart Downtown Business Association. 
    Visitors are encouraged to check the official Participants list for specials at www.locktoberfesttx.com, and follow along on Instagram at @locktoberfesttx, and explore the unique offerings scattered throughout the historic downtown. The best way to experience Locktoberfest, is to hop around and see what each stop has to offer.