Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the fun stops with fall — simply swap BBQs for Oktoberfest celebrations! On Saturday, Sept. 16, Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich through Oct. 3 for 16 days of fun, food and of course, beer. And don’t worry, you don’t need to hop on a plane to Germany to get in on the action — there are tons of Oktoberfest celebrations in the Philly region. From South Street to Center City to Ardmore, you have more than enough options for a beer-filled fall. Prost!
9th Annual South Street Oktoberfest
Saturday, Sept. 16
12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
700 Block of South St.
brauhausschmitz.com
German-fare favorite, Brauhaus Schmitz, is putting on their South Street Oktoberfest celebration for the ninth year in a row in front of their restaurant. Attendees can purchase beer and food as they go or upgrade to the VIP package ($115) which includes no-wait bathrooms (a godsend when beer is involved), a Bavarian buffet, six tokens for beer, an official Brauhaus Oktoberfest t-shirt, drawstring bag and a glass liter stein to commemorate the experience. You can also enjoy 10 different German beers on draft, live Oompah music, German dancers and more.
Ardmore Oktoberfest
Saturday, Sept. 23
2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
17 Cricket Ave., Ardmore
ardmoreoktoberfest.com
Spend your weekends on the Main Line? Take a break from the city center and attend Ardmore’s Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 23. Presented by Ardmore Initiative with sponsor McCloskey’s Tavern, enjoy German eats, a variety of beer and live music from The O’Fenders and the James D. Oompah Band. There will even be activities for the kids like cookie decorating, pumpkin decorating, crafts and face painting.
Uptoberfest Oktoberfest at Uptown Beer Garden
Saturday, Sept. 23
12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Uptown Beer Garden
1735 JFK Blvd.
facebook.com/uptownbeergarden
For the second year in a row, Uptoberfest returns to Uptown Beer Garden in Center City. Enjoy a special German import draft lift as well as a few special American fall beers. In terms of food, the menu will include four different bratwursts, currywurst, pretzels, potato pancakes and brotzeit (like a charcuterie plate but more robust with thick cuts of cheese, meat and carbs.) General admission is free but VIP tickets ($20) include a VIP-only area with a separate bar, a keg of Hofstetten von 1810 (inspired by the original Oktoberfest beer), light buffet and a keepsake glass filled with your beer of choice.
23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest
Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 7, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, October 8, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
23rd Street Armory
22 South 23rd Street
ticketfly.com
Oktoberfest may officially be over but that doesn’t mean the party needs to stop in Philly. For the second year in a row, Brauhaus Schmitz is back at it with their 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest from Oct. 6 to Oct. 8. Taking place at the massive 23rd Street Armory, the space is big enough to hold 1,500 people. Guests can enjoy Oktoberfest eats from Chef Jeremy Nolen, homemade Bavarian pretzels from Chef Jessica Nolen and Hofbräuhaus beer imported from Germany by Doug Hager. What’s more, the space will be transformed into an authentic German beer hall, complete with blue-and-white banners and festival tables with traditional wooden benches — all imported from Germany. Of course, there will also be live music from Alex Meixner Band and Heimatklange Band.
