It’s Oktoberfest season and bars, restaurants and neighborhood corridors are celebrating the holiday with beer-fueled fun.
(Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
Get ready for beer steins and bratwursts. Philadelphia celebrates Oktoberfest in a big way starting this month. The city’s version of the traditional German festival is bigger than ever with massive street-fairs, flourishing beer gardens and lively neighborhood celebrations.
The final weeks of September and beginning of October officially mark Oktoberfest season around the world, including in Philadelphia, with dozens of celebrations at some of the city’s most popular bars, restaurants and attractions.
The sunny, brisk weather of autumn is perfect for refreshing Oktoberfest beers, delicious bratwurst and sausages, live music, street festivals and more.
Dust off your lederhosen and/or dirndl, raise a stein, and celebrate with our guide to the top Oktoberfest celebrations in Philadelphia.
Prost!
Elmwood Park Zoo Oktoberfest
Craft beer and zoo animals come together at the annual Oktoberfest at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. Enjoy unlimited beer samples from two dozen top breweries, including an exclusive festival-only Banana Wheat and Pumpkin beer from Shock Top, along with local food trucks and live entertainment. Guests can enjoy live music, giveaways and animal encounters including a giraffe feeding and hand-feeding of a giant bison from the feeding deck. Tickets are required.
When: Tuesday, September 15
Where: Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd, Norristown
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Lo Spiedo Oktoberfest
Marc Vetri’s rotisserie haven at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Lo Spiedo, is kicking off the weekend with an Oktoberfest celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 18. The pay-as-you-go celebration features German food specials, beer from Stoudt’s Brewing Co. and live music by Polkadelphia.
When: Friday, September 18
Where: Lo Spiedo, 4503 S. Broad Street
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Frankford Hall Oktoberfest
Frankford Hall and Fette Sau team up to once again present a huge Oktoberfest celebration with games, family-friendly fun, beer, German food specials, live oompah music and much more.
When: Saturday, September 19
Where: Frankford Hall, 1210 Frankford Avenue
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Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest
The block of South Street in front of Brauhaus Schmitz and a portion of 8th Street shuts down in celebration of its epic Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, September 19. German beer, a pig roast and live music are the themes of the day. Beyond the block party, Brauhaus Schmitz hosts specials, games and giveaways from September 14 through 20. Prost!
When: Saturday, September 19
Where: Brauhaus Schmitz, 700 Block of South Street and 8th Street between Kater and Rodman streets
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Delaware River Craft Brewfest
Sample an international selection of craft beers at PPL Park, the home of the Philadelphia Union, during the Delaware River Craft Brew Fest. The tasting festival features craft and limited-release beers from brewers like Victory Brewing Co., Goose Island, Troegs Brewing Co., Magic Hat, Leffe and many more.
When: Saturday, September 19
Where: PPL Park, 1 Stadium Drive, Chester
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More festivals, below.
Sly Fox Can Jam
Head to Sly Fox Brewery in Pottstown for their annual, free music festival and Kanjam competition. The day-long event features free performances, food and plenty of Sly Fox beer straight from the brewery.
When: Saturday, September 26
Where: Sly Fox Brewing Company, 331 Circle of Progress Drive, Pottstown
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Oktoberfest at Hop Angel Brauhaus
Hop Angel Brauhaus brings a little Munich to Fox Chase during its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Head to the German-American bar and restaurant for Oktoberfest brews, sausages, pretzels and family-friendly fun. Bonus: Those sporting lederhosen or a dirndl receive a free sausage sandwich.
When: September 26-27
Where: Hop Angel Brauhaus, 7980 Oxford Avenue
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Graduate Hospital celebrates Oktoberfest with its annual Bloktoberfest on October 3. (Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)
Downingtown Fall Fest
The sixth-annual Downingtown FallFest welcomes more than 5,000 guests for a day filled with festive events, including live music, food vendors, craft activities and displays from local businesses. The festival is presented by Victory Brewing Company, so expect a stellar beer garden with delicious brews and bites.
When: Sunday, September 27
Where: Between Wallace Avenue and Green Street on E. Pennsylvania Avenue
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King of Prussia Beerfest Royale
The King of Prussia mall parking lot transforms into a German beer oasis at the annual Beerfest Royale, a two-day event consisting of more than 50 national and international breweries and over 100 types of beer. Tickets are limited, so we recommend reserving your spot in advance.
When: October 1 and 3
Where: The Court at the King of Prussia Mall, 690 W. Dekalb Pike
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Bloktoberfest
Taking over a stretch of western South Street every autumn, Bloktoberfest brings in big bands and a bevy of craft beer providers to make for a true neighborhood festival that's free to attend.
When: Saturday, October 3
Where: From Broad to 18th streets on South Street
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Roxtoberfest
The town of Roxborough celebrates Oktoberfest with Roxtoberfest, an afternoon-long festival for the whole family. Adults can enjoy beer gardens and local beer, and the whole family can enjoy carnival rides, music, games and more.
When: Saturday, October 3
Where: Ridge Avenue between Green Lane and Leverington Avenue
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Brauhaus Schmitz celebrates Oktoberfest with a full weekend of events including its awesome Oktoberfest block party on Saturday, September 19. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
Midtown Village Fall Festival
Held every autumn, the Midtown Village Fall Festival is one of Philadelphia's premier outdoor events. Taking place on 13th Street from Chestnut to Locust Streets, the Midtown Village Fall Festival features eight hours of tasty food, drinks, live entertainment, shopping and more.
When: Saturday, October 3
Where: 13th and Chestnut streets
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McGillin’s Oktoberfest
McGillin’s Oktoberfest lasts through the month of September, with Oktoberfest brews straight from Germany on tap and German specials on the lunch and dinner menu. The celebration concludes on Saturday, October 3 with a Giant Beer Garden on Drury Street during the Midtown Village Fall Festival.
When: Through October 3
Where: 1310 Drury Street
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Germantown Heritage Festival
Hosted by German Society of Pennsylvania, the German Heritage Festival is an afternoon celebration featuring bratwursts, Spanferkel (roast pig), sauerkraut, German beers, live music and family fun.
When: Saturday, October 3
Where: German Society of Pennsylvania, 611 Spring Garden Street
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Ambler Oktoberfest
Downtown Ambler celebrates fall with its annual Oktoberfest, which is complete with a beer garden, food, shopping, music, kid-friendly activities and more. The festivities last all day long on Saturday, October 3. MORE INFO
When: Saturday, October 3
Where: Butler Avenue, Ambler
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The King of Prussia Mall parking lot welcomes craft beer, food and fun for the King of Prussia Beerfest Royale. (Photo by Weld-Photography for King of Prussia Business Improvement District)
An American Oktoberfest at Grumblethorpe
After the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, head to historic Grumblethorpe for cold brews and Germai. Embark on tours of the colonial home and join in the fun at a party in Grumblethorpe's garden. Sip beer, enjoy German meals and listen to live music at the evening event. Admission is free, but all food and tours are pay as you go.
When: Saturday, October 3
Where: Grumblethorpe, 5267 Germantown Avenue
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Ardmore Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest comes to Ardmore, the largest and most diverse town on the ritzy Main Line stretch of suburbs, on Saturday, October 10. Expect German music, German beer, German food and more at this fun block party on Cricket Ave.
When: Saturday, October 10
Where: Cricket Avenue, Ardmore
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Memphis Taproom Thirstoberfest
Thirstoberfest returns to Memphis Taproom for its fifth year on October 18 with pours of more than 25 flagship and limited release beers including Ayinger Celebrator, Russian River Pliny the Elder and Yards Cape of Good Hope. Celebrate the final day of Memphis Taproom's beer garden season and enjoy special Thirstoberfest hot dogs from their food truck all day.
When: Saturday, October 10
Where: Memphis Taproom, 2331 E. Cumberland Street
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Sip German beers at Oktoberfest celebrations across the area, including at Frankford Hall (shown here). (Photo courtesy Starr Restaurants)
Kennett Brewfest
Sample beers from more than 90 craft breweries to raise funds for Historic Kennett Square during the 2015 Kennett Brewfest on Saturday, October 10. The day-long festival features top brews from around the country, live music and tasty food.
When: Saturday, October 10
Where: South Broad Street, Kennett Square
Oktoberfest Live! at Xfinity Live!
Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia is amping up its 4th annual Oktoberfest celebration with more than 200 craft brews, live music, food trucks, contests and more. Both general admission and VIP tickets are available.
When: Saturday, October 17
Where: Xfinity Live, 1100 Pattison Avenue
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Fall Fest at Morgan’s Pier
Before the waterfront beer garden closes for the season, Morgan's Pier is hosting a fall celebration honoring the Pope’s visit, Halloween and Oktoberfest. Chef Jeremy Nolan of Brauhaus Schmitz will present a special German-inspired menu on October 17 and 18 for $30 per person. Limited quantities are available, but grilled favorites from Chef Nicholas Elmi (Laurel) and a variety of local fall beers along with Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest will be on tap to throughout the weekend.
When: October 17-18
Where: Morgan’s Pier, 221 N. Columbus Boulevard
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Memphis Taproom marks its final beer garden day of the season with its annual Thirstoberfest.
(Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)