Oxtoberfest 2025

October 18, 2025 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Location: St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1102 NW Weigel Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023

Visit St Luke’s in Ankeny for its annual Oxtoberfest festival from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on the feast day of our patron St. Luke the Evangelist. There will be classic German food, music, and a biergarten PLUS activities for all ages like a 5K stampede and kids' mini-stampede, stein-holding contest, a bags tournament and more!

Registrations for the annual contests are now live:

• 5K Stampede & Kids' Mini-Stampede
• Adult (21+) Beer Stein-Holding
• Youth Root Beer Stein-Holding
• Kids Root Beer Stein-Holding
• Bags Tournament

Find sign-ups on the St. Luke's Events page! Stampede participants who register by Sept 22 are guaranteed a long-sleeved t-shirt in the size ordered. You may also purchase shirts without race participation through the Stampede link.

Join the Stampede!

Our annual 5K walk/run on Saturday, October 18th will have runners charging through the streets of Ankeny-costumes/alpine apparel welcome! Corralling of the Runners (registration) begins at 10:30 am. The stampede begins at 11:00 am.

Children ages 5 and up are welcome to join in the mini-stampede activities offered by our parish volunteers. Participants who register in time will receive a long-sleeved t-shirt as part of the registration fee. 

Register by 9/22/25 to be guaranteed a shirt

• 5K participant or Adult shirt only - $30
• Mini-Stampede participant or Youth shirt only - $20

Test Your Strength at the Oxtoberfest Stein-Holding Contest!

Think you’ve got what it takes to outlast the competition? Join us on Saturday, October 18 at 12:30pm in the St. Luke’s Gym for our Beer & Root Beer Stein-Holding Contests!

How It Works: Contestants hold a full stein straight out in front of them—last one standing wins!

Entry Categories:

• Adults (21+) – $20 entry (includes an official glass “Oxtoberfest” beer stein & a beer)
• Grades 3–8 – $15 entry (includes 16 oz plastic stein & root beer)
• Pre-K–2nd Grade – $10 entry (includes 8 oz plastic stein & root beer)

Bags Tournament at Oxtoberfest!

Get your game face on! St. Luke’s annual Bags Tournament is happening during our Oxtoberfest celebration on Saturday, Oct 18, starting at 12 pm.

How to participate:

• Form your 2-player team
• Come up with your team name—optional, but fun!
• Pre-register no later than Oct 6 so we can set up brackets (only 1 registration per team)

Prizes—along with bragging rights for the year—are on the line!

Don’t miss the chance to toss, compete, and cheer on your fellow parishioners in this Oxtoberfest tradition!