Oktoberfest season has officially arrived in Philly, bringing plenty of steins, brats, live music and Bavarian-inspired festivities along with it.
One of the city’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations returns this weekend for its 18th year. Locals can head to South Street this Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 8 p.m. for a free, family- and dog-friendly festival that will take over the 700 block with a massive biergarten donning seating for up to 1,000 guests.
Hosted by Brauhaus Schmitz, visitors can expect nearly a dozen German beers on draught, plenty of traditional German food, live oom-pah music from Die Heimatklänge, folk dancing by the United German Hungarians, face painting, games, schnapps and the fan-favorite Liter Lift competition.
The festival is pay-as-you-go for food and drinks, with guests 21 and older welcome to drink with a valid ID. For a more exclusive experience, there is also a limited number of $125 VIP tickets, which include access to the indoor Brauer Bund Bierhall (a Bavarian buffet) from noon to 6 p.m., seven beer tokens, access to the VIP draft list and outdoor concessions, a take-home liter mug, a 2026 Oktoberfest T-shirt, Brauhaus swag, private bathrooms and dedicated seating with air conditioning. VIP tickets must be purchased in advance.
700 block of South Street, brauhausschmitz.com
Love City Manayunk is getting into the oom-pah spirit for the first time this Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 6 p.m., transforming its Main Street taproom into a lively German-style beer hall. While there, guests can sip the venue’s exclusive Oktoberfest beer alongside brats, sausages and pretzels with beer cheese from on-site food partner Sophie’s BBQ.
The free celebration will also feature a Stein Holding Contest at 2 p.m., a Best Outfit Competition at 4 p.m., DJ sets, Dutch Blitz, cornhole and more. Food and drinks are available for purchase throughout the event, with regular bar service continuing until midnight.
4323 Main St., lovecitybrewing.com
Yards Brewing Company’s annual Oktoberfest will be in full swing this Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. with live music, German-inspired food, games, decorations and plenty of beer—including the return of Yards’ Unter Dog Oktoberfest Lager, plus festival-only pours like Schnitzengiggles, Festbier and Hefeweizen. The afternoon will also feature a traditional Masskrugstemmen stein-holding contest and a costume competition for the best dirndl, lederhosen or other Oktoberfest attire.
Tickets start at $20 for Early Bird admission and include entry, an exclusive 0.5-liter Yards Oktoberfest stein and one complimentary beer fill; General Admission is $30 with the same perks, while Designated Driver tickets are $10 and include a collectible stein to take home after the event. Unter Dog will also pour throughout the month in the taproom alongside a special German-inspired food menu. The celebration is rain or shine and open exclusively to guests 21 and older.
500 Spring Garden St., yardsbrewing.com
Evil Genius is hosting its annual Oktoberfest celebration this weekend on Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 5 p.m. The ticketed event will feature German-style beers, themed food, EDM-infused Oompah music from DJ Bob Beast, a stein-holding contest and a best-dressed competition, with Trachtenwear encouraged.
General admission tickets are $30 and include an exclusive Evil Genius glass stein, one drink and entry beginning at 1 p.m., while $50 VIP tickets include two drinks and early access at noon. VIP guests will also get access to an exclusive coffee-infused version of the venue’s Every Day I’m Rustlin’ pour.
1727 N Front St., evilgeniusbeer.com
Back for its 8th year, Brauhaus Schmitz will host Oktoberfest celebrations next month at the historic 23rd Street Armory. Set for Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10, the venue will be decked out with Bavarian blue-and-white décor, authentic festival tables and benches imported from Germany, plus a 40-foot centerpiece beneath a lofted stage.
Across three sessions, guests can raise a liter of Hofbräu beer, dig into bratwurst, roast chicken, a pig roast, and thousands of pretzels, plus dance along to live oom-pah music and traditional German performances from Die Heimatklänge and The Bratwurst Boys.
General admission includes entry and a first drink, while VIP tickets include early admission, reserved seating, two liters of beer, table service, a food platter and private bathroom access. Additional food and drinks are available for purchase. The event is adults-only (21+): General admission ranges from $35 to $45, while VIP tickets range from $75 to $85, depending on the session.
22 S 23rd St., brauhausschmitz.com/oktoberfest
Philly Goat Project’s fifth annual GOAToberFest fundraiser will return to Laurel Hill West Conservatory next month on Saturday, Oct. 17.
From 2 to 5 p.m., the event will bring together goats, craft beer and plenty of fall fun, emceed by comedic drag queen Dominique Lee. Overall, the afternoon will feature lawn games, a goat photo booth, s’mores, snacks, a goat art raffle, a tour of the grounds and a costume contest, with Oktoberfest and Halloween-themed outfits encouraged. Guests can also be among the first to see Philly Goat Project’s 2027 Calendar, celebrating 12 local women artists with photographs by Jessica Kourkounis.
Returning partner Triple Bottom Brewing will also serve its Oktoberfest-style Crunch beer in a special GOAToberFest can featuring artwork by Philadelphia muralist Symone Salib; the beer is included with admission (with four-packs available for purchase as well).
Proceeds from GOAToberFest will go to support Philly Goat Project’s programs ranging from environmental education to animal-assisted therapy. Tickets are $85, and the rain-or-shine event is open to guests ages 14 and older.
215 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, phillygoatproject.org
When you think Oktoberfest, rollercoasters might not be what first comes to mind—but Six Flags knows how to celebrate Prost style.
Running select dates through Nov. 1, Oktoberfest here will feature a festive lineup of German-inspired food, entertainment and seasonal brews. The park menu will serve bites like sauerbraten, knockwurst and bratwurst served on pretzel buns, plus, for guests 21 and older, the celebration includes a selection of Oktoberfest-ready beers from Paulaner and Samuel Adams. Tickets (various pricing) and exact dates for Oktoberfest are available online.
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, sixflags.com
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