Boston is firmly in the grip of fall once again. Besides the fresh apples, crisp air, lovely foliage and pumpkin spice everything, autumn brings with it the promise of Oktoberfest. From bratwursts to lederhosen, warm soft pretzels and endless steins of beer, it’s a wonderful time of year for a festival!
There are a total of 13 celebration coming to New England, with the following five taking place right here in the Boston area.
1. Harpoon Octoberfest
Thursday, Sept. 28 – Sunday, Oct. 1
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Harpoon Brewery’s Octoberfest has been a Boston mainstay for more than 20 years. This year’s three-day festival will take place in the Seaport brewery’s parking lots and feature German cake eating, three stages of live music, trivia, brewery tours, chicken dance contests, and a food truck brunch on Sunday. Attendees must be 21. Tickets are $25/person.
2. Olde Magoun’s Saloon Oktoberfest
Saturday, Sept. 30
Olde Magoun’s Saloon in Somerville is a popular hangout featuring 28 beers on tap, small batch whiskeys and a full menu of pub favorite foods. Their yearly Oktoberfest celebration is a local favorite featuring a ceremonial keg tapping of Paulaner Weisn, the same beer poured during Oktoberfest in Munich. The celebration is free, lasts until 4 PM and will offer traditional German food and music.
3. ReelHouse Oktoberfest
Saturday, Sept. 30
The ReelHouse’s fabulous location offers picturesque views of Boston Harbor. Attendees of their Oktoberfest celebration will enjoy 4-ounce beer samples from Down East Cider in East Boston, Mystic Brewing in Chelsea, Castle Island in Norwood, Night Shift Brewing in Everett, Magic Hat Brewing in Vermont, and more.
Food choices include soft pretzels with German beer and cheese sauce, grilled bratwurst and onions, braised pork shanks with potato salad, and apple and walnut strudel with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance.
4. Harvard Square Oktoberfest and Honk! Parade
Sunday, Oct. 8
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The streets of Harvard Square will be packed with partiers, five different stages of music, German food, sidewalk sales, and vintage goods. Celebrants from the Honk! Festival of Activist Street Bands, will march from Somerville in full costume to join in the fun.
Bar hoppers can also sample the beer offerings at area favorites like Alden & Harlow, Beat Brasserie, Charlie’s Kitchen, the Hourly, John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House, and the Sinclair.
5. Samuel Adams Octoberfest
Friday, Oct. 27
The annual Sam Adams Oktoberfest celebration at Boston’s World Trade Center is no joke! Attendees pay $45 for general admission and $85 for VIP access. Some of the benefits of this upgraded celebration include a seemingly endless supply of Sam Adams beer, an inflatable hop slide, a stein-hoisting competition, tons of food vendors, and music from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Kongos, and City of the Sun.