After nearly two decades in downtown Des Moines, Oktoberfest’s organizer is relocating the event to Ankeny.

The impetus for the move is a scheduling conflict with Des Moines Water Works Park, its previous location, said Melinda Toyne, the festival’s owner and organizer and owner of In Any Event, an event and production company.

Before moving to Water Works Park, Des Moines Oktoberfest was located on Fourth Street in downtown Des Moines for 18 years. Depending on the year, and the weather, the fest would see upwards of 10,000 people over the course of a weekend, Toyne said.

This year’s event will be on Sept. 26 and 27.

Starting this year, Oktoberfest will be held at the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny.

“Ankeny has a brand new amphitheater at the District at Prairie Trail that they just completed, and were very anxious and enthusiastic to welcome the festival,” Toyne said. “And we were obviously looking for the best opportunity to host the event in the capacity that could accommodate what we’re looking for, which was in essence, a combination of what Fourth Street offered in that urban feel that we loved and so many people embraced, as well as the feel of the park, which was ideal in many ways, too.”

She said she looks forward to how the amphitheater will showcase the polka bands her company brings in from around the region. She also said the location gives the fest an opportunity to grow, with the streets surrounding the location, as well as fencing already in place and ample free parking.

“A lot of the elements that we have to spend quite a bit of money on to bring to a venue like Water Works Park are already there as well,” she said. “And combine that with the fact that they were very anxious to partner with us and help showcase what they had built, just a few miles north of where we had been producing the event, it was really a no-brainer.”

Producing an event like Oktoberfest is “ incredibly expensive,” she said.

“ There are years the event has lost money, and I’ve continued to altruistically produce this event to provide entertainment options for Greater Des Moines and Central Iowa.”

The 2025 Oktoberfest will retain its signature programming, including the ceremonial golden keg tapping, Bier Maiden and Stein Holding contests, polka band performances, German beer tents and more, according to a news release.

Toyne said she experienced some resistance on social media for her decision to relocate.

“I have thick skin, and I think it indicates that we have created an event that has resonated with people,” she said. “And I think that is a good sign.”