Known for bringing in the fall with bratwurst, dancing, and plenty of brews, Oktoberfest is a treasured, annual German festival.
Interestingly enough, Oktoberfest is actually celebrated in Germany beginning mid to late September, but because the festivities are just too fun, tons of events will carry through the month of October in the city. Here are some exciting Oktoberfest celebrations happening this year in NYC:
1. Head to Union Square for brewing company Torch & Crown’s epic Oktoberfest Bash
Raise your glasses and have an epic Oktoberfest experience with delicious beer, grub, and so much more! Torch & Crown Brewing Company is offering New Yorkers a day of booze, fun, and food at Union Square Park, complete with a sea of German-style beers, delectable traditional food, and live music and themed games. Snag your tickets to this epic celebration here. Prost!
🗓️ Sunday, October 8, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
📍 Union Square Park – E 14th St & Broadway
2. Hop aboard a cruise with German-themed food and drink specials
NYC’s most iconic sightseeing cruiseline Circle Line is kicking off the fall season just in time for Oktoberfest, complete with Oktoberfest-themed food and drink specials, live music, and unbeatable views of fall foliage as guests cruise up the Hudson River. Guests will pass by dozens of Insta-worthy sites like the 800-foot-tall Hook Mountain, Hudson River Palisades, the Cloisters, and more. To learn more and book your ride, click here.
🗓️ Every Saturday & Sunday, September 30 – November 12
📍 Pier 83 – 12th Ave. & W 42nd St.
3. Partake in tons of fun and chow down on tasty German dishes at Clinton Hall
Clinton Hall is hosting an epic month-long Oktoberfest experience. Enjoy over-the-top German-inspired dishes like Chicken Bratwurst, Knackwurst, Cheddar Bratwurst Sausage, and Jumbo Pretzels with Beer Fondue Cheese. In addition to German fare, drinks and live music will keep the party energy going!
🗓️ September 16 – October 27
đź“Ť 16 West 36th St.
4. Join in on a series of massive Oktoberfest parties at Black Forest Brooklyn
Now in its 10th year, Black Forest Brooklyn is hosting a series of massive Oktoberfest parties at both of their locations during six weekends in the fall. Each party will feature authentic decorations, a live German oompah band, drink and food specials, and a mug holding and costume contest with prizes. Grab your finest pair of Lederhosen, gather your friends, and enjoy the celebrations! Learn more here.
🗓️ September 16 – October 21
đź“Ť Fort Greene – 733 Fulton St. / Boerum Hill – 181 Smith St.
5. Chow down on classic Schnitzel and dozens of German beers at Radegast Hall and Biergarten
Though not all details are released yet for this year’s Oktoberfest celebrations, last year’s celebrations included classic Schnitzel, dozens of beers, and of course the ever popular women’s and men’s stein holding contest. Plus there will be a Ceremonial Keg Tapping.
🗓️ September 16, 23, & 30
đź“Ť 113 North 3rd St.
6. Attend the Zum Schneider festival
Zum Schneider is back at it ready to quench your thirst for the greatest festival in the world. This year they’re opening the doors to their beautiful Oktoberfest tent complete with original atmosphere, Giant Pretzels and juicy sausages, tireless music and fun by Mösl Franzi and the JaJaJas Oompah band, and, of course, the exclusively imported Oktoberfest Bier from Andechs, Weihenstephan, and Hofbräuhaus Traunstein. Learn more here.
🗓️ September 29 – October 8
đź“Ť3 Dollar Bill backyard – Â 260 Meserole St. (Williamsburg)
7. Take part in weekly beer keg tappings & pig roasts at Loreley Beer Garden
Loreley Beer Garden is celebrating their 20th Oktoberfest season with weekly free beer keg tappings and pig roasts tastings on weekends, lederhosen and dirndls, plus pretzel, sausage, and beer specials every day. The restaurant features one of the largest heated outdoor beer gardens in Manhattan and has an extensive selection of German and craft beers, wines and spirits, plus a menu of delicious, beer-friendly dishes like giant pretzels with warm beer cheese dip, grilled Sausage Party platters, schnitzels, cheesy spaetzle with bacon, and more.
🗓️ September 14 – October 31
đź“Ť 7 Rivington St.
8. Enjoy the 200+ year Oktoberfest tradition at Central Park
Head to Rumsey Field, Summerstage, in Central Park for the German American Oktoberfest and join in on a celebration of friendship, music, food and drink. Enjoy pitchers of delicious German brews such as Hofbräu and Erdinger, and cheers to lively sets from amazing live bands.
🗓️ Saturday, September 16
đź“Ť E 71st St., Rumsey Field in Central Park
9. Enjoy traditional music & attire, delicious food, & a wide selection of the finest brews at Watermark
Watermark’s renowned Oktoberfest will soon relaunch in NYC’s Seaport District on September 8th. Running through October 29th, Watermark will restore the city’s best fall festivity, complete with delicious German bites like pretzels, giant turkey legs, and brats, drinks including miniature kegs, and an interactive assortment of games, all while overlooking sweeping views of the Brooklyn skyline.
🗓️ Begins Friday, September 8
đź“Ť 78 South St Pier 15
10. Sip on German beers at Treadwell Park’s Oktoberfest Happy Hour
Treadwell Park’s Battery Park City and Upper East Side locations will kick off their month-long Oktoberfest festivities with FREE beer samples from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 15! Additional offerings through October 15 include Oktoberfest Happy Hours (Monday-Friday 4-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 12-2 p.m.) and weekly stein-holding contests with prizes (every Saturday at 8p.m.)
🗓️ September 15 – October 15
📍Battery Park City – 301 South End Ave. / UES – 1125 1st Ave.
11. Head to Edge at Hudson Yards’ second annual Oktoberfest
Back by popular demand, Edge at Hudson Yards has announced the return of NYC’s highest Oktoberfest celebration. The second annual celebration will include an oompah band and traditional German pretzels and beer in a German stein, all to be enjoyed while taking in stunning NYC views.
🗓️ September 30 & October 1
📍 Edge at Hudson Yards – 30 Hudson Yards
12. Experience traditional German fare, carnival games & prizes, firkin tapping & more at The Standard Biergarten
Why travel to Munich when you can head to The Standard Biergarten instead?! They’re offering an epic lineup of Oktoberfest specials, including traditional German fare, carnival games and prizes, live music, firkin tapping, trivia, daily specials, and more! Plus if you wear a lederhosen or dirndl you get a free shot and a beer!
🗓️ September 16 – October 3
📍 The Standard Biergarten – 848 Washington St.
13. Dig into a spread of six traditional courses of German fare at Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market’s longtime tenant, Dickson’s Farmstand Meats, is hosting a celebration dinner in collaboration with Threes Brewing in honor of Oktoberfest. Join Ben Petersen, Brew Master at Threes Brewing, for a tasting of seasonal beers and German style lagers, while Dickson’s offers a spread of six traditional courses of German fare. Traditional dishes will include bratwursts, braised meats, smoked meats, kraut, and more. Learn more here.
🗓️ Dickson’s Butcher Shop & Restaurant – lower level of Chelsea Market at 75 9th Avenue
đź“Ť September 28, 6:45 p.m.
14. Beers, great food, and lawn-games galore at Bk Backyard Bar
Head to Bk Backyard Bar for a night of traditional Oktoberfest fun featuring select beers, great food, and lawn-games galore as they celebrate Oktoberfest the Williamsburg way. From beers from Brooklyn Brewery, Flagship Brewery, Boston Beer Company, and more to a thrilling stein-hoisting competition, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
🗓️ Bk Backyard bar – 86 N 11th St (Brooklyn)
đź“ŤSeptember 15 & September 22, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.