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 third successive year, with tickets still at 2022 prices.  York’s very own Oktoberfest has proved hugely popular since its debut in 2021 with nearly all sessions selling out last year.  

Yorktoberfest 2023 will run from Thursday 19^th to Saturday 21^st October and on Friday 27^th and Saturday 28^th October.  Tickets go on sale today, Monday 13 March at 10am through www.ticketsource.co.uk/yorktoberfest.  Prices remain the same as last year at £20 per person for standard and £30 for VIP, with an early bird discount of £5 per ticket if booked before 30 June.  New this year is a special student discount for the opening session on Thursday 19^th October, with both ticket categories at half price, including early bird, using the code STUDENT2023.

Event organiser James Cundall, CEO of Jamboree Entertainment said “With prices going up everywhere we were very keen to keep our Yorktoberfest prices the same as last year, to offer a great night out for as reasonable a cost as possible.  We are delighted to be introducing half price student tickets this year for the first night of the season, so students who also take advantage of the early bird offer can come along for as little as £7.50.”

Yorktoberfest follows in the traditions of the first Oktoberfest staged in Munich in 1810, bringing all things Bavarian to a giant fully-styled beer tent in the Clocktower Enclosure at York Racecourse, as well as superb live entertainment.  

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 the past 14 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.

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.

“We will transform the giant marquee into a Bavarian festival scene, with rows of tables and benches down most of its 160m length, a performance stage, rustic carts full of wooden beer barrels, thatched wooden barns, flags galore and generally everything needed for a great night out,” says Mr Cundall.

The Bavarian Bar will serve authentic German beer as well as a range of wines, prosecco, spirits and soft drinks for those who prefer not to ‘hop’!  A variety of German-inspired food will cater 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!  It’s 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: Thursday, 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 £20 for standard and £30 for VIP, or in tables of six at £120 for standard and £180 for VIP, with an early bird discount of £5 per ticket if booked before 30 June.  Half price student tickets are available for Thursday 19 October.  VIP tickets are situated closest to the stage and have table service for drinks and food.  Customers will be able to book specific seats in their preferred location.  An online booking fee applies.  Tickets will also be available at the entrance, subject to availability.

For event information, please visit www.yorktoberfest.co.uk