Oktoberfest season early September through mid-October is a terrific time of year in Philadelphia; mark your calendars for giant block parties, festivals, outdoor beer gardens and more.(Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)
The Summer of the Beer Garden was epic so it’s comforting that, as it winds down, it leads us right into Oktoberfest season, during which Philadelphia’s beer gardens can shine just as bright.
And that time is upon us it is officially Oktoberfest season in Philadelphia. Which means, over the next five-plus weeks, there are dozens of Oktoberfest celebrations coming to Philly.
Frankford Hall is bringing a block party to Frankford Ave in Fishtown; Brauhaus Schmitz is bringing a major festival to South Street (East); and Bloktoberfest is bringing another giant festival to South Street West. And those are just a few of the bigger celebrations coming our way.
So it’s time to break out your lederhosen and/or dirndl, raise a glass or more appropriately a stein, and party down Oktoberfest-style in Philly.
Prost!
Read on for our complete guide to Oktoberfest celebrations in Philadelphia. We’ve noted whether each Oktoberfest celebration is free — meaning no entry fee, but pay as you go — or ticketed.
Elmwood Park Zoo Oktoberfest
Sunday, September 14. 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 $40 for general admission ($15 for designated drivers) and $75 for VIP tickets ($25 for designated drivers). Ticketed | MORE INFO
Brauhaus Schmitz's Oktoberfest
September 15-21. Brauhaus Schmitz is going all out for Oktoberfest with a week of German-inspired events all leading up to an incredible block party on South Street. The German beer hall will host a variety of German beer specials and giveaways throughout the week before its 6th annual Oktoberfest on the 700 block of South Street on September 20. Look for record-breaking consumption of pork products, 10 types of German beer, competitions, live music, dancing and much more. Free | MORE INFO
Philadelphia gets a taste of Munich with Oktoberfest celebrations on main streets, at bars, restaurants and more, throughout September and October. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
Mt. Airy Street Fare
Thursday, September 18. Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy turns into a hub for mobile fare on September 18 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. in celebration of the second annual Street Fare, an evening of more than 40 food vendors, live music, shopping, craft beer and family-fun. Free | MORE INFO
Frankford Hall's Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 20. Fishtown's popular beer garden Frankford Hall hosts one of the city's largest Oktoberfest celebrations with a day-long block party on Frankford Avenue from Girard Avenue to Shackamaxon Street. Expect multiple beer tents housing a bounty of German beer, traditional eats including bauernwurst, bratwurst and Bavarian pretzels, live music, carnival games, German dancing and more. Free | MORE INFO
PHS Fall Festival at The Navy Yard with a Beer Garden
Saturday, September 20. Celebrate the start of autumn during the annual PHS Fall Festival at the Navy Yard. Enjoy a day of family-friendly fun including the PHS City Harvest Market featuring local produce; the PHS Kids Zone, where youngsters can participate in games, activities and crafts; a "Garden Giants" demonstration, where growers show off their oversized tomatoes, pumpkins and other gigantic goodies for a panel of judges; and the Marketplace, featuring plants, tools, garden accessories and home dcor. This year's festival also features an on-site beer garden with beverages from Yards Brewing Co. and coincides with Franklin Flea, featuring vintage and handmade items from local vendors. Free | MORE INFO
Brauhaus Schmitz puts on a street-closing block party in celebration of Oktoberfest 2014. (Photo courtesy South Street Headhouse District)
Oktoberfest at Morgan’s Pier
Saturday, September 20. Before the waterfront beer garden closes for the season, Morgan’s Pier puts on an Oktoberfest party complete with special Oktoberfest drafts and a slew of traditional German fare. The folks behind the resto are slated to grill up sausages, serve traditional German potato salad and pretzels, too. Free | MORE INFO
Oktoberfest at Alla Spina
September 26-28. Alla Spina is getting into the Oktoberfest spirit with a weekend celebration featuring traditional German food, beer from Victory Brewing Company and special events. Test your strength during the Stein Hoisting competition on September 26 or enjoy a full day of beer, music and food during the Oktoberfest Street Festival on September 28. Free | MORE INFO
More, below.
Oktoberfest Live! at Xfinity Live!
Saturday, September 27. Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia is amping up its 3rd annual Oktoberfest celebration with more than 200 craft brews, live music, food trucks, contests, prizes and German-inspired fun. Ticketed | MORE INFO
Hop Angel Brauhaus
September 27-28. 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. Free | MORE INFO
Frankford Hall puts on one heck of a show for Oktoberfest as it presents a day-long block party complete with beer tents, food, German music and more. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
Sly Fox Can Jam
Saturday, September 27. Sly Fox Brewing Company in Pottstown raises a hat to beer and music at its annual Can Jam, an all-day celebration of canned craft beer. Groove to live music while hanging out at the countryside brewery. Free | MORE INFO
Downington FallFest
Sunday, September 28. The fifth-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. MORE INFO
Chinatown Night Market
Thursday, October 2. The final Night Market of 2014 is expected to be a big one with the city's top food trucks and plenty of beer on tap in the streets of Chinatown. Free | MORE INFO
King of Prussia Beerfest Royale
October 2 and 4. 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. Sample more than 25 local beers, enjoy food from area restaurants and relax with a complimentary cigar during the Donnerstag Happy Hour on October 2. On Saturday, sample local, international and hard-to-find brews under the grand tent during two separate tasting sessions. Tickets are limited, so reserve your spot in advance. Ticketed | MORE INFO
The music and dancing of Germany take the spotlight at a number of Oktoberfest celebrations in the area. (Photo courtesy South Street Headhouse District)
Midtown Village Fall Festival
Saturday, October 4. One of the biggest and best festivals of the season, the Midtown Village Fall Festival shuts down 13th Street for a day of fantastic food, sidewalk sales and more. For its ninth year, the festival will feature outdoor beer tents, multiple stages for live entertainment and a carnival-like atmosphere complete with a dunk tank. Key spots throughout the festival include Bru, McGillin’s and Fergie’s Pub. Free | MORE INFO
McGillin's Oktoberfest
Through October 4. 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 4 with a Giant Beer Garden on Drury Street during the Midtown Village Fall Festival. Free | MORE INFO
Grumblethorpe Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 4. After the smoke clears following the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, head to the historic Grumblethorpe for cold German brews and an evening of Oktoberfest fun. 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. Free | MORE INFO
Ambler Main Street Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 4. Downtown Ambler turns into a traditional Bavarian festival with its 23rd annual Oktoberbest featuring a beer garden, great food, live music, art work, hand-crafted items and rides for the kids all day long. Free | MORE INFO
Put on your party hats, beer-centric good times arrive all over the city for Oktoberfest. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
Roxtoberfest
Saturday, October 4. The 2nd annual Roxtoberfest on Ridge Avenue is a day of cold beer, live music, great food, carnival games and more. Enjoy traditional German fare, non-traditional food trucks, family-friendly fun and plenty of beer in the Roxtoberfest Beer Tents from noon until 6 p.m. Don't forget to stop by the Foodery's Roxborough location for more than 1,000 different types of beer from around the world. Free | MORE INFO
Bloktoberfest
Saturday, October 11. Graduate Hospital's Bloktoberfest returns for a sixth year of all-ages fun on South Street. Taking place over a four-block stretch of South Street from Broad to 18th streets, the day-long celebration features a wide-selection of beers from around the country, delicious food from local restaurants and food trucks, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Beer proceeds from the neighborhood event are reinvested into community education, green space and development initiatives. Free | MORE INFO
Kennett Brewfest
Saturday, October 11. Sample beers from more than 90 craft breweries to raise funds for Historic Kennett Square during the 2014 Kennett Brewfest on Saturday, October 11. The day-long festival features top brews from around the country, live music and tasty food. Ticketed | MORE INFO
The Midtown Village Fall Festival, one of the city’s largest fall festivals, raises a hat to Oktoberfest with games, food and plenty of beer to go around. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
Oktoberfest at Dilworth Park
October 18, 23 and 25. The renovated Dilworth Park at City Hall is getting into the Oktoberfest spirit with three days of beer, food, music and more. Enjoy arts and crafts, a beer garden and live entertainment as you celebrate in the fantastic new space. Free | MORE INFO
Memphis Taproom Thirstoberfest
Saturday, October 18. 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. Free | MORE INFO
More Beer Gardens
You can celebrate Oktoberfest any day of the week at one of Philadelphia’s fantastic beer gardens. Visit hot spots like Independence Beer Garden, PHS Pop-Up Garden, Frankford Hall and more. CLICK HERE
Raise your pint class to Oktoberfest at Memphis Taproom’s annual Thirstoberfest celebration. (Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)