Stretch those shoulders for some stein hoisting and chicken dancing because Fort Worth's biggest Oktoberfest celebration begins this week. Save room for whiskey, wine, and rattlesnake served 16 ways.

Tuesday, September 24

Mettler Wine Tasting at Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald’s monthly wine tasting will feature Mettler, a Lodi, California vineyard known for its old vine zinfandels and cabernet sauvignons. Each tasting pour will be paired with a chef-prepared light bite. Tickets are $35 and the tasting begins at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday, September 25

Lange Twins Wine Dinner at Don Artemio
Reservations always go quick for Don Artemio’s wine dinners, and this one featuring Lange Twins wines priced at $130 (plus tax and gratuity) is sure to follow suit. Highlights from the five-course menu include a trio of mini tostadas with blue crab, octopus, and pumpkin flower, pickled mussel bisque, and beef filet with a corn masa gordita. Wines will be paired with each course and dinner begins at 6:30 pm.

Italian Wine Dinner at Italianni’s
Wine dinners at this longtime Italian dining destination in Hurst draws locals for a festive time. This one will feature wines from the Umbria, Tuscany, and Trevisio regions of Italy. Four courses include clams casino, field green salad with bacon vinaigrette & poached egg, stuffed Italian pork roast, and baked Alaska. Reservations are $90 and dinner begins at 7 pm.

Thursday, September 26

Fort Worth Oktoberfest
Prost! Fort Worth’s three-day, Munich-style celebration of German culture kicks off Thursday at Trinity Park (near Farrington Field) featuring loads of German fare, carnival games and rides, stein hoisting, barrel racing, dachshund parades, and plenty of Spaten beer. There’ll also be more than 50 live performances, including polka music from the Happy Hour Oktobefestband, returning this year from Bavaria. Admission is $10 on Thursday and $15 on Friday and Saturday. Or pay $20 for a three-day pass. A commemorative stein glass is guaranteed when purchasing tickets in advance. Admission is free for children under 12 with a paying adult. The festival runs from 5-11 pm Thursday and Friday, and 11 am-midnight on Saturday.

Rattle Battle
Tim Love’s rattlesnake cook-off is back in Mule Alley featuring 16 chefs who’ll compete to create the best dish, as deemed by a panel of judges and voted on by attendees. A few of the participating chefs include Juan Rodriguez (Magdalena’s), Rodrigo Cardenas (Don Artemio), Trevor “Big T” Sales (Brix Barbecue), Jon Bonnell (Bonnell’s, Waters, Buffalo Bros, Jon’s Grille), Patrick Ru (Teddy Wong’s), and Antonio Votta (Bricks & Horses). Tickets for the event, presented by TX Whiskey, are $150 and include open bars and live music. The event will run from 5–7 pm.

Woodford Reserve Whiskey Dinner at Fixe Southern House
Welcome the flavors of fall at this five-course whiskey cocktail pairing dinner at Fixe. There’ll be tomato basil bisque with grilled cheese, Colorado lamb loin, and pear upside down cake with maple pecan ice cream. Tickets are $135 plus tax and gratuity, and dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Email rbrowning@fixesouthernhouse.com for reservations.

Saturday, September 28

Oktoberfest at Second Rodeo Brewing
Stockyards good times bar and live music venue will host its own version of Oktoberfest featuring German tunes and their house-brewed Oktoberfest beer. Sign up for the stein-hoisting contest (3 pm) for a chance to win a $75 gift card. Entry is $8 and includes a stein filled with Oktoberfest beer. The party will run from 1:30–4:30 pm. Dogs and children welcome.