Celebrate at a local 2014 Oktoberfest in Pennsylvania. Come on Pennsylvania residents, with 3.5 million German descendants, I would expect massive parties on the scale of Ohio, Wisconsin, California or Texas. Am I missing them or just underestimating the party here? Here are the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania Oktoberfest parties that I found:
2014 Events
Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein – August 30 & Sept 1, 2014
The popular Labor Day Oktoberfest in Philadelphia that kicks off the German celebrations here.
Lancaster Liderkranz – September 12-14, 2014
Open to the public. General admission is $5 for adults and $2 for kids ages 6-15.
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Oktoberfest – Wilkes-Barre, PA – September 12-14, 2014
Over 30,000 are expected to attend the PA Oktoberfest with authentic German-American food, beer, live music, strong arm contest and wiener dog race. They will also hold a home brew competition for the first time this year on Sunday. Advance tickets are $5 for a one day pass and $10 for the weekend pass. Location: 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18702
Boyertown Oktoberfest – Boyertown, PA – September 19-20, 2014
Highlights include German music, dancers, beer, food, crafts and artwork on Friday from 5 to 9 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. This seventh annual event will raise money for Building a Better Boyertown.
Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest – Canonsburg, PA – September 19-21, 2014
This 16th annual Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest in Downtown Canonsburg will have German food, beer, live music, Name the Brew contest and Carnival with games and amusement rides.
Marienville Oktoberfest – Marienville, PA – September 25-28, 2014
This annual fall festival has live music, crafts and food vendors. Home decorating and costume contests on Friday. Parade, bike race and pumpkin raising contest on Saturday. Pet parade on Sunday. Location: Town Square Rt 66 Marienville, PA 16239
Cassville Oktoberfest – Cassville, PA – September 26-28, 2014
Oktoberfest and 5K Run/Walk in Cassville. Friday events include horse & carriage rides and basket bingo. Saturday events include talent show, sky diving, teen dance and musical entertainment by Chris Woodward Band, Sharp Tones and Cannon Express D.J.. On Sunday, there will be the custom & classic car and motorcycle show as well as the performance by The Fabulous Flashbacks. Location: Cherry Street, Cassville, Pennsylvania 16623
Xfinity Live Xtoberfest – Philadelphia, PA – September 27, 2014
3rd Annual event with beer garden tent and music from multiple DJs in seven different event areas. Sample 150+ beers from participating breweries in your custom beer stein and enjoy Oktoberfest-style foods. Purchase the X-treme VIP to get in one hour early and taste special vip-only German beers all day long. Contests will include the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. X-Toberfest, eating contests (hot dogs, pretzels, etc), stein holding contest. They are going to have a selection of pumpkin beers as well as exclusive beer launches from Victory Brewing Company. Dance on the tables in Victory Beer Hall, ride the mechanical bull or take part in the complimentary body painting. Silent auction of sports memorabilia with proceeds going to charity. They sold out in advance last year, so don’t rely on being able to purchase tickets at the door. Early Bird tickets are $15 for designated driver, $30 for general admission and $40 for VIP. Tickets include Free Parking in Lots S & T. For those not familiar with the venue, XFINITY Live! is the sports entertainment venue located next to the Wells Fargo Center and across the street from Citizens Bank Park. Location: 1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148
Heidelberg Oktoberfest – September 27, 2014
Festival runs on Saturday from 1 PM to 8 PM. Live music, raffles, craft vendors, German & American food and Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier. Fireworks at 8 PM. For kids, there will be games, clowns, balloon artists, magic act, bounce house, slide, petting zoo, pumpkin painting and hay rides. Location: Heidelberg Park
Stoudts Oktoberfest – Adamstown, PA – September 27-28, 2014 and the First Four Sundays in October
Opening weekend at the Stoudts Brewery Restaurant & Pub will have live music, food, German dancers, children’s aplen horn blowing contest and the Parade of the Pig. Location: 2800 N Reading Rd Adamstown, PA 19501
Mifflinburg Oktoberfest – Mifflinburg, PA – October 3-4, 2014
This annual Oktoberfest will be held at the VFW Fair Grounds just west of Mifflinburg on Route 45. German and American seasonal beer, German food, German bands and dancers, polka band, hayride. After the 11 AM Volksmarch, the ceremonial keg tapping will happen at 1 PM on Friday. There’s a keg toss contest on Saturday at 1 PM. Beer selection includes Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker Pshorr, Beck’s and Sam Adams. German style wines form Shade Mountain Winery. Free parking and admission. Location: 10770 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg, PA 17844
Ambler Oktoberfest – Ambler, PA – October 4, 2014
The 23rd annual Oktoberfest north of Philadelphia in Montgomery County will have a beer garden, food vendors, arts and crafts, live music and kids rides.
Carbon County Oktoberfest – Lehighton, PA – October 4-5, 2014
Music (DJ during the day and live music both evenings), authentic food, and beer provided by local Red Castle Brewery. Rides and games of children of all ages. Location: Franklin TWP Fire Dept (near Beltzville State Park) in Lehighton.
Carlisle Barracks Oktoberfest - October 9-12, 2014
Carnival, food and arts & crafts fair. Carnival tickets are $1 or 40 tickets for $35. There is also an unlimited rides band that lets you go till you drop. An assortment of festival food is available for purchase including the HCBBQ Pulled Pork Sundae, a layered treat of mac ‘n cheese, smoky sweet bbq sauce pulled pork and cole slaw. Appalachian Brewing Company also provides a menu of food and craft sodas. Beer selection includes the War College Wheat, War College Ale, Appalachian Brewing’s Kiponia Fest and the Appalachian Brewing Hinterland Hefe Weizen. Admission is free and open to the public. The event is organized by Army, Morale, Welfare & Recreation, which has been hosting the festival at Carlisle Barracks since 2008. Location: 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Collier Township Oktoberfest – Oakdale, PA – September 27, 2014
Fun for the whole family on Saturday from 2:00 – 10:00pm. They will live entertainment featuring National Recording Artists – The Swonn Brothers. FROGGY Radio will be broadcasting live on-site. And of course there will be German food, beer, and crafts.
Location: Collier Park – 5 Lobaugh St., Oakdale, PA 15071
Sewickley Oktoberfest – Sewickley, PA – October 3-4, 2014
The 3rd annual Sewickley Oktoberfest with German food, Spaten beer and live music. Sewickley is just west of Pittsburgh. Cost is $10. Held under a tent in the Division Street parking lot.
Location: 510 Beaver Street Sewickley, PA 15143
Oktoberfest Bethlehem – Bethlehem, PA – October 3-5 and 10-12, 2014
This Bethlehem Oktoberfest on the first two weekends in October is a traditional German Oktoberfest with Pennsylvania influence. There will be a giant festhalle tent with German food, beer and bands playing polka, rock and party music. More than 2,000 participate in the 5K. Dancers, dachshund races, bar skills challenge, decorative beer barrel competition, Miss Oktoberfest contest, rides and games too! Admission is free this year!
Location: SteelStacks, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Pennies from Heaven Oktoberfest – Wexford – September 20, 2014
Nearly 300 are expected from 6 to 10 PM for open beer vodka & wine bars, food, silent & live auctions and the hEARd Matthews Band. Tickets are $105. All proceeds go to families in need.
Location: Elias Fry Barn, 465 Knob Road, Wexford PA 15090
Strasburg Rail Road – Strasburg, PA – October 4, 11, 18
First three Saturday evenings in October, board the train for local craft beers and German food, including a menu of bratwurst, pork, sauerkraut, soft pretzels, German chocolate cake or apple dumplings.
Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh Oktoberfest – Pittsburgh, PA – September 19-20 & 26-27, 2014
Two weekends of German fun at the Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest in Pittsburgh at the Southside Works. Imported Munich Oktoberfest bier, entertainment and prizes.
Location: 2705 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Green Tree Oktoberfest – Pittsburgh, PA – September 13-14, 2014
This annual Pittsburgh Oktoberfest will have a chili cookoff, car cruise and dog parade in addition to the opening ceremony, live music and Sunday night fireworks.
Location: Green Tree Park, Green Tree, PA
Bloktoberfest – Philadelphia, PA – October 11, 2014
Four blocks of South Street from Broad to 18th Street in Philly will be closed to traffic for this non profit event with live music, craft beer and food. I have been to this event. Now celebrating its 6th year it runs from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Admission to enter is free. This is a big city festivals with well over 100,000 attendees.
Location: South Street and Broad, Philadelphia, PA
Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest – Philadelphia, PA – September 20, 2014
This German bierhall and restaurant will throw celebrates Oktoberfest all week. On Saturday it sponsors the 6th annual Philadelphia Oktoberfest Block Party on Saturday, September 20th from noon to 8 PM. A 200 foot long tent will be erected on the 700 block of South Street. Live oompah music, ceremonial keg tapping and liter lift competition will accompany the German beer and sausage.
Location: 718 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Sisters of the Holy Redeemer Oktoberfest – Huntingdon Valley, Pa – September 27-28, 2014
Their 8th Annual Oktoberfest held 12 noon – 8 p.m. on Saturday and 12 noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday with no admission charge. Fun for the whole family includes German music, beer, food, activities & games, raffles, craft tables, hayrides & pony rides. Bands featured are Cheers German Ompah Band, G.T.V. Almrausch Dancers, Emil Schanta Band, and Philadelphia German Brass Band.
Location: Provincialate, 521 Moredon Rd., Huntingdon Valley, Pa
Oktoberfest at Elmwood Park Zoo – Norristown, PA – September 14, 2014
The Elmwood Park Zoo will close to regular admission on Sunday and throw its annual beer tasting festival. $40 general admission ticket gets you souvenir tasting glass, unlimited beer tasting and live animal encounters. Designated driver tickets are available for $15 per person. Food Trucks and breweries include Brooklyn Brewery, Clown Shoes, Flying Fish, Lancaster Brewing, Naked Brewing, Round Guys Brewery, and Straub Beer.
Location: 1661 Harding Blvd Norristown, PA 19401
Honesdale Oktoberfest – Honesdale, PA - August 16-18, 2014
Oktoberfest at Frankford Hall – Philadelphia, PA – September 20, 2014
This Northern Liberties Beer Garden will shut down Frankford Avenue with a block party of beer tents, live music and family friendly carnival for its Philadelphia Oktoberfest. Note: I haven’t seen the date posted online as of 9/6 but I can’t imagine it isn’t happening.
Location: 1210 Frankford Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125
Lansdale Oktoberfest – Lansdale, PA – October 4, 2014
Children’s apple bobbing, potato sack races, the pie eating contest, and the Masskrrugstemmen (for adults) in addition to live music and German dancers. The 2014 date is posted on the local government community calendar.
Location: Whites Road Park, Lansdale, PA
Oktoberfest at Grumblethorpe – Philadelphia, PA – October 4th, 2014
The Revolutionary Germantown Festival celebrates October 4, 1777 when the Continental attempted to kick the British out of Germantown. The day includes battle re-enactment, beer garden and traditional Oktoberfest at Grumblethorpe from 4:30-7:30 PM after the festival concludes.
Location: 5267 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA
Penn Brewery Oktoberfest – Pittsburgh, PA – September 19-21 & 26-28, 2014
This Pittsburgh Oktoberfest will happen the last two weekends in September at the Penn Brewery. German food, alpine entertainment and seven Penn Brewery beers on tap.
Location: 800 Vinial Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Past Events
GTV Almrausch Oktoberfest - Philadelphia, PA – November 2, 2013
Authentic German dance club music and dancing beginning at 7 pm. The bar and wonderful food open at 6 pm. Have a beer and have a bratwurst while having some fun. Another chance for lederhosen, laughter, and libations. Everyone wears smiles. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Tables of ten are available. Free parking.
Location: Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Rd., Philadelphia, PA
German Society of Pennsylvania Oktoberfest – Philadelphia, PA – September 21, 2013
The German Society of Pennsylvania welcomes the public to join them for German music, food and the GTV Almrausch Schuhplattler Group. Advance tickets are $25 for non-members. Children 12 and under are $10.
Location: 611 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
After my glowing recommendation of the Pennsylvania Oktoberfest scene, I also feel the need to provide the links for the largest festivals for Oktoberfest in the United States as well as nearby states that also celebrate Oktoberfest: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Whether you have found a festival to enjoy or you will be celebrating from home, Funtober has some other resources that will help you prepare for Oktoberfest. Read about the history of Oktoberfest. Learn about Oktoberfest beer. Find the words to Oktoberfest music. Plan your Oktoberfest outfit. And try cooking some of these Oktoberfest recipes.
Find other fun things to do in Pennsylvania in October:
Pennsylvania Festivals
Pennsylvania Corn Mazes
Pennsylvania Ghost Tours
Haunted Houses in Pennsylvania
Pumpkin Patches in Pennsylvania
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