Prost season is upon us, and if you’re looking for a reason to throw on a lederhosen, you’re in luck. Here are a few fun ways to celebrate Oktoberfest in Philadelphia in 2024.
South Street
This Saturday, Sept. 21, holds the largest celebration of Oktoberfest in Philadelphia. Now in its 16th year, the annual South Street Oktoberfest presented by Brauhaus Schmitz will be in full swing from noon to 8 p.m. on the 700 block.
Festivities will include nearly a dozen German beers available on draught, a variety of German favorites for food, live Oom-pah music, face painting, German dancers, a Liter Lift competition, games, schnapps and more, a release states.
Music will be provided by Die Heimatklänge with dancing by United German Hungarians, and Philadelphians can also look into buying VIP Packages ($125). VIP includes private access to the Brauer Bund, specialty drafts, a liter mug, a Bavarian buffet, seven tokens for beer, five private no-wait bathrooms and additional swag.
Iron Hill Brewery
Beginning this Friday (Sept. 20), Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant will be serving up Bavarian-inspired specials, plus the fan-favorite Oktoberfest Lager (back for a limited time.)
Food specials span the Spinatsalat (baby spinach salad with hard-boiled egg, dill-pickled onion, bacon, blue cheese, and warm bacon vinaigrette), Huhnerschnitzel (crispy chicken medallions with green beans, buttered egg noodles, and a lemon herb sauce), Jaegerschnitzel (crispy pork medallions with smashed Yukon gold potatoes, Vienna Red Lager-braised red cabbage, and roasted mushroom sauce) and much more.
Each dish also comes with a suggested brewing pair, plus, guests can also fill a 22oz mug with the Oktoberfest Lager or any draft beer for just $12 and take the mug home as a keepsake. Iron Hill’s Oktoberfest will run until Oct. 6.
Various locations, ironhillbrewery.com
23rd Street Armory
Another fan favorite, the 23rd Street Armory’s annual celebration will be in full swing on Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12.
The event mirrors an authentic Munich festival tent and features traditional Oktoberfest food provided by Brauhaus Schmitz. Beer on the other hand will be offered by the Hofbräuhaus München – Das Original, and there will be a lofted stage area for musical acts, which includes Brauhaus regulars Die Heimatklänge on Friday night and Saturday daytime, and The Bratwurst Boys for Saturday night.
Tickets for both general admission and VIP are available for Friday night, Saturday afternoon and also, Saturday night. Prices range from $25 to $95.
22 S 23rd St., 23rdstreetarmory.org
Philly Goat Project
This isn’t your typical Oktoberfest in Philadelphia celebration. On Sunday, Oct. 6, Philly Goat Project will throw its third annual GOAToberFest. The event will feature goat art raffles and historic cemetery tours, signature cocktails, yard games, s’mores by the fire pit, snacks, plus, plenty of time to spend with the Goat Project’s 13 beloved goats.
The fundraising festival is open to everyone 14 and older, and those who attend will also be among some of the first to check out the 2025 Goat Calendar, which features the Project’s goats posing at iconic Philadelphia landmarks like the Philadelphia Orchestra’s stage at the Kimmel Center and Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Costumes (either Oktoberfest or Halloween) are welcome, and tickets ($75) are available online.
Laurel Hill West Conservatory, 215 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, phillygoatproject.org
SPIN Philly
The Center City ping-pong social club will be throwing their own Oktoberfest in Philadelphia on Oct. 5 beginning at 2 p.m. The ticketed event will boast unlimited access to German food delicacies (think German potato salad, schnitzel sliders, apple strudel and more) exclusive Oktoberfest-inspired drinks, a beer tasting from local breweries, ping pong play and other lawn games, and much more.
More information and tickets ($100) are available online through Eventbrite.
211 S 15th St., wearespin.com
Haddon Square
On Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon to 10 p.m., Brauhaus Schmitz and Keg & Kitchen will be throwing an Oktoberfest celebration on the Square in Haddon Township. The pay-as-you-go event will feature a pig roast menu accompanied by other German favorites, and live music from the Maria and John Band will set the atmosphere at this family-friendly event.
51 Haddon Ave., Westmont, brauhausschmitz.com
