Are you an Oktoberfest party animal who waits each year for a dark German beer? In California Oktobefest begins in September, nicht (not) Oktober. Welcome to the season for eating brats & kraut, donning your dirndl or lederhosen, and doing the Chicken Dance, a dance that everyone can do. It’s a wild ride and many cities choose to participate in this time honored tradition adopted from Munich, Germany. There are more than 100 Oktobefest events in California, the prelude to Halloween parties.