Wiener dog races aren’t something you see at most beer festivals, but they’re on the schedule at Tampa Bay Downs this weekend.
The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce runs its Oktoberfest at Tampa Bay Downs Friday through Sunday, October 16–18 — Friday 5–10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. General admission is $5, kids 12 and under get in free, and active military get in free plus a guest. A beer-tasting lanyard covering ten 5-ounce pours plus entry runs $25. Beyond the beer, the event runs open car shows, challenge games, a Kids Fun Zone, and the wiener dog races.
This is a chamber-of-commerce production rather than a traditional German beer hall event, which shows in the mix — it leans as much into family activities and car shows as it does into steins and polka. Tampa Bay Downs itself, better known as a horse track in Oldsmar, hosts the three-day run on its grounds off Race Track Road.
When: Friday–Sunday, October 16–18, 2026 (Fri 5–10pm, Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–6pm)
Where: Tampa Bay Downs, 11225 Race Track Rd, Tampa (Oldsmar)
Cost: $5 general admission, 12 and under free, military plus one guest free, $25 beer-tasting lanyard with entry included.
Good to know
The three days have noticeably different hours, so check which day you’re going before you plan around it — Friday evening only, but Saturday runs a full eleven hours. This is the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber’s event, separate from the longer-running Oktoberfest Tampa production that happens elsewhere in the bay area.
Hours and pricing come from the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber’s own event listing and can change — check ahead.
Photo: Tampa Bay Downs racetrack, by Wknight94, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.